SIMPLE SET-UP
FISHING the bomb is a very simple way of targeting big fish and big catches... and my set-up reflects this.
For big fish I like to fish a Guru X-Safe bomb in either ⅔oz or 1.1oz – which I choose depends on the distance I want to fish.
Today there isn’t much wind so I can feed 10mm baits at least 30m out, so I have opted for the 1.1oz bomb.
The bombs have a rubber insert, so I push this out and replace it with the short X-Safe black elasticated stem. With carp averaging 8lb-plus I get far fewer hook pulls when playing them on an elasticated bomb.
I always kick off on an 18ins hook length, although I’ll vary this during the session if the need arises. A lot of bites on the bomb will come as the fish see the pellet falling through the water and follow it down.
If I get lots of indications I will shorten the hook length to increase the bolt effect, on the assumption that these indications are caused by carp picking up the loose offerings.
Taking the size of the carp at Boddington into account, my hook length is 0.22mm Guru N-Gauge. The fish are big, and I don’t believe they are line-shy.
In fact I don’t believe they are hook shy either, so my choice of hook is a size 10 QM1. This is a strong pattern with a sharp –and I mean very sharp – point.
There’s now less chance a carp can suck the hookbait in and blow it out again without getting pricked.