SPECIMEN TIPS OF THE WEEK
‘TIP’ ODDS IN YOUR FAVOUR
Tench and bream fishing is over, the rivers are yet to get going for roach, chub and big barbel and we’re still a few frosts away from the start of the predator season.
So what do you fish for to get your string pulled? I’ve been visiting big reservoirs in search of carp.
Places like Clattercote Reservoir not only offer comfortable fishing, but some surprisingly big fish too.
Now before you think ‘I haven’t got any carp rods’ don’t worry, as I’ve been having fun catching some really big fish on simple quivertipping tactics. Give it a go…
TARGET QUIET AREAS
It can pay to try the more underfished areas of the lake, especially at this time when the fish have been caught a few times.
Fish shy away from overfished spots and look for safer areas.
FISH COMFORTABLY
Fish at a range you are comfortable casting to. Most standard feeder rods will comfortably cast a 45g feeder up to 50 yards.
Increase the weight and reduce the size of feeder if there is a strong crosswind.
It’s also worth trickling some bait into a margin spot, but don’t fish it for at least a couple of hours until carp are feeding confidently.
KEEP YOUR ROD LOW
For comfort and convenience get a feeder arm and rest that attaches to your chair leg so you can keep the tip low – away from wildlife and winds. There’s also less likelihood of the rod being pulled in.
I set mine so the rod tip is just above the water and at a slight angle so I can spot all the knocks and bites on the tip.
FEEDER FISHING
By casting a feeder to the same spot you can keep a steady supply of bait going in to draw fish to the area and keep them there.
I generally use either in-line Method feeders with a short hooklength or blockend feeders in conjunction with a helicopter rig.
GEAR UP FOR ACTION
Repeated casting, and potentially catching fish into double figures, require a robust mainline.
My favourite is 10lb Korum Feeder line – it has never let me down!
WORM AND CORN
Fish are looking to have a feed-up at this time of year, as they get ready to over-winter, so most baits will work.
However, my favourites are pieces of chopped worm or corn on the hook – both are very attractive baits in their own way.
Worm is a great ‘scent’ bait and can be homed in on easily by fish in coloured water, while corn can be a deadly bait when the water is on the clear side because the fish can spot it from a long way off.