How do I uSe meaSurIng StIckS?

Q I’ve heard about using sticks to mark the distance I’m fishing at on the feeder, but how do I use them?

Paul Harold, wrexham

Steve says: Measuring sticks are a feeder angler’s best friend!

In simple terms, they are two bank sticks set at a certain distance apart that you wrap your line around to measure distance.

I set my measuring sticks 2m apart, attach my feeder to one of the sticks and then start to let line off my reel as I wrap it around the two sticks, measuring the distance I want to fish at. One wrap is 2m, two wraps 4m and so on.

There are several advantages to

Q When do I start fishing the 5m line in a match? Simon Spears, Berkshire

Steve says: The 5m line is primarily for the last two hours but it can also be a great starting line for the first 15 minutes, as you might be able to catch a couple of bonus fish before they spook and move further out.

After that I feed the 5m line to build it up, but I won’t fish it until around two hours to go.

Even then I’ll only have a twominute look and if there aren’t any signs or bites I’ll come off it for 20 minutes before looking again.

If I do get a sign or a bite, though, quite often I will be able to fish it until the end of the match, or at least alternate between the 5m line and the margins. this. First, I know exactly how far out I am fishing in metres and this allows me to build up a record of where I caught on the venues I fish regularly.

Second, if I want to have multiple rods clipped up at the same distance then sticks are an easy way of doing so.

Also, if you need to take your clip off and then get back to the distance you started you can get up off your box and quickly use the sticks to clip back up.

Q Do you use dibbers or bristled floats for fishing shallow? richard Jacks, rotherham

Steve says: If I’m catching very shallow – say, 8ins – then I prefer a dibber- style float in the form of a MW Cookie (below, bottom).

However if I’m fishing, say, 18ins deep then I’ll switch to a bristle float like a Carpa Ape 0.1g (below, top) so I can read the indications that little bit better.

Of course, this is only personal preference but it’s a rule of thumb that works for me.