Improve Your Coarse Fishing (UK)
Q&A YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY EXPERTS
Q
How long a length of line should I have between my pole tip and float? ASHLEY DAVIS, VIA EMAIL
A
There are several factors that influence this. How windy is it? Are you fishing against an island? Is there any tangle-causing vegetation? How deep is the water? What elastic are you using? Once you’ve plumbed up you’ll need to trim down the length of line between pole tip and float, and this needs to be done accurately. You need enough of a gap to enable you to control the rig under the prevailing conditions, but it also needs to be short enough so that is encourages you to lift into bites to hook fish, not strike wildly. If you strike and miss a bite there is every chance you will lose your hookbait and have to ship back, which will waste time. A gentle lift will mean you still have the hookbait if you miss the indication, but this movement is also more than enough to set the hook. As a general rule in good conditions have 6in of line between tip and float, 9in in breezy conditions and 12in when it is windy.
Q
What elastic should I use when pole fishing for stillwater barbel? LEE COOK, VIA EMAIL
A
Barbel never know that they’re beaten when hooked and they can power off and try and dive beneath the platform you are fishing from even as they near the net. Your tackle needs to be strong enough to get the upper hand. On the pole, the most important aspect is your elastic. If it is too light then the fish will lead you a merry dance and it will take ages to net them. Gear up with a hollow grade 14-16 elastic. That sounds strong but is very stretchy and forgiving, while having plenty of power. Use it with a puller kit and you will soon be in charge of the battle.
Q
Does catmeat have any advantages over luncheon meat? PHIL LANDER, VIA EMAIL
A
Catmeat is a very effective bait for carp in the warmer months on commercial waters. One advantage of catmeat over luncheon meat is that it is very, very soft and more to the liking of a feeding fish. It’s also supplied in its own gravy that releases an oily slick when fed. The chunks can also be big making them a decent meal for a feeding carp. Because of its size, catmeat is an out-and-out big-fish bait and, due to the softness, it cannot really be fished on rod and line tactics. The best approach for catmeat is to fish it in the margins or at short range on the pole in conjunction with pellet and corn loosefeed. Sometimes, rolling the meat in dry groundbait, known as dusting, can make a real difference especially on hard-fished waters.
Q
Why do I foul-hook so many carp when fishing in the margins and how can I prevent it? STEVE HOWE, WORCESTER
A
The main factors which cause foulhooking are the way you are feeding, how much you feed, how many fish are in the swim and the depth of water. At this time of year, you’re looking for a depth of around 2ft as a maximum. If the water is too deep, fish will move off the bottom to feed and this will produce line bites and foul-hooked carp. If the water is too shallow, the carp won’t have enough water to move around in and will also keep bumping into the line. It’s never a good idea to have a margin swim packed with carp because the competition created by feeding fish is a recipe for disaster. How many fish move into the peg can be dictated by feeding. That means potting in enough to draw and hold one or two carp at a time as opposed to high summer when lots of feed will be needed to hold the fish.
Q
How often should I feed when fishing the bomb? BEN DRAKE, VIA EMAIL
A
If you just chuck out the bomb and hookbait and leave it the rod to sit on the rest you might pick up an occasional fish but not a huge weight. Keep busy with feeding and expect to use two or three pints of bait in a day. Reach for the catapult at least every two minutes. Feed six pellets and then instantly do the same again. This keeps a constant rain of bait going in which is necessary to hold the attentions of hungry carp and F1s.
QThere’s loads of roach in a lake I’ve started fishing and I really fancy putting a net of them together. What would be the best way of targeting them when they’re up in the water? ADAM CAHILL, KENT
AThe pole or a whip to hand is the most precise and quickest way of catching roach provided that they feed at reasonably close range. For a float attack all that’s needed is to shallow up to a foot or so deep and change to a lighter insert waggler taking a couple of BB shot. Changes in depth can help because roach won’t stay in the same place. If the bites stop, try adding a few inches to the depth. If you see fish swirling on the surface to get at the feed, shallow up.