MASTER THE PELLET WAG

Robbie Taylor reveals all there is to know about summer’s number one commercial carp bagging tactic

THIS shallow bagging tactic comes into its own during the summer when carp are feeding close to the surface. As well as being wonderfully effective, it is also extremely easy to fish. You just need to ensure you follow a few simple guidelines.

When to use the pellet waggler

“The pellet waggler will work in water anywhere between 3ft and 30ft deep,” said Robbie. Because you’re constantly firing in pellets carp will be attracted by the noise they make as they hit the water because they associate the sound with food. And as there is always bait falling through the water it is hard for the carp to single out the hookbait. “Any time after the fish have spawned through to late autumn, the pellet waggler is worth giving a go,” Robbie continued. “It is generally fished in open-water swims, but there are no hard and fast rules.”

Tackle edges

Pellet waggler fishing will see you hooking into both big and small carp, so don’t be tempted to fish too light. Robbie favours 5lb Guru Pulse line. His hooklink is 2ft of 7lb N-Gauge down to a size 16 Pellet Waggler hook. These

have an out-turned eye so they sit straight on the hooklink. To attach his hookbait, he hair-rigs a small bait band 5mm-8mm below the bend of the hook. To attach his waggler, Robbie sandwiches a Guru Waggler Adaptor on to the mainline between float stops. This set-up enables him to quickly adjust the depth the float fishes at. Having a 2in gap between the float stops enables the float to fold on the strike so you get direct contact with the fish.

Hookbait options

As well as pellets, Robbie also uses Dynamite Baits’ Slow Sinking Nuggets. They hang in the water for longer giving the fish a few more vital seconds to see them. To fish the pellet waggler, regardless of what is on the hook, Robbie feeds six to 10 pellets every 30 seconds and recasts every one to two minutes. It’s certainly an active tactic but the rewards are massive!

Feed six to ten pellets every 30 seconds