Improve Your Coarse Fishing (UK)
When a bomb beats a pole – Dan White
The pole may dominate summer commercials but Dan White reckons rod, line and a bomb is superior, even when fishing close in
IF YOU are fishing no more than 14m from the bank then common sense would suggest that you reach for your pole. The delicate presentation it provides is often seen as a major advantage, enabling you to pinpoint exactly where you want to place your rig. But at this time of year when fish are feeding ravenously there is a time when turning to rod and reel tactics is a better bet when attacking a line at short range. Large numbers of carp invading your peg will brush up against the line as they aggressively rummage around for food. The float will dip as yet another tail brushes up against your rig and you instinctively strike. The result is the hook being set outside of the mouth and an angry carp charges off before the rig pings back at you – often damaged – moments later. During the heat of summer this frustrating scenario will occur time and time again. It can lead to you throwing in the towel and accepting these big carp can’t be caught in numbers. But Garbolino and Spotted Fin-backed Dan White has proven that turning to the bomb can transform your fortunes. “So many anglers think the bomb is a tactic that is only useful at long range but I have caught some giant weights fishing at less than 15 metres. On days when you foul-hook fish every time the rig goes in on the pole the bomb is the ideal alternative,” stated Dan.
Eradicating line bites
Many anglers are left tearing their hair out when they come back with a scale attached to the hook when pole fishing. So why would the result be any different when using the bomb? “When fishing the pole on the bottom there is a lot of line running vertically through the water column. When fish brush up against it, it causes the float to sink which looks like a bite. “But when fishing the bomb the line in the area where the fish are feeding is pinned to the bottom so they have nothing to disturb while feeding.” The tip may nudge tentatively to indicate the carp have turned up, but there is no reason to strike at these slight knocks. “When you get a bite the tip will go round and keep going. It is important not to strike – simply pick up the rod because the fish will have hooked itself. “If you strike there is every chance you will snap your hooklength. After all, the fish is charging off at pace one way and you are pulling the rod the other so something has to give. Invaribly, that is going to be your rig!”
Look for feeding signs
The commercial scene has been growing at a rapid pace for over two decades and many fisheries are now well established. Some venues that opened at the start of it all are now heavily
silted up. These lakes in particular are perfectly suited to the short bomb. “When fish start feeding on top of silt the surface starts to resemble a jacuzzi with thousands of bubbles erupting all over your peg. This is the air being released as big carp disturb the silt and hoover up the bait.” Dan uses these bubbles as a marker for where to cast. He doesn’t clip up as that could lead to a disaster, with a big carp that is pulling hard likely to snap your rig. Pellets are the only bait he will offer, using an 8mm banded version as hookbait and firing 6mm examples over the top as loosefeed. “At this time of year you can’t really overfeed the fish so you need to keep raining the bait in. I fire in 10-15 pellets every 30 seconds. If you don’t the fizzing will stop and that’s a sign that the fish have moved off.”
Light leads
Although the noise of pellets crashing into the water acts as an attractant, the commotion of a much larger and seemingly alien object breaking the surface can easily spook carp. With that in mind, a large lead can have a detrimental effect on the number of fish that confidently feed in your swim. “I always use the lightest bomb I can get away with and 1/3oz is ideal when you consider you are only chucking a really short distance. “This will still bury in the silt slightly and create a bolt-rig effect when you get a bite, making sure you have a fish that is lip-hooked every time the tip goes round.” When it comes to mainline Dan uses 8lb Garbolino Match Feeder Sinking, an 18in hooklength of 7lb Garboline Super G Power and a size 12 Preston Innovations KKM-B hook.
Perfect success
Dan has tried his tactics at countless venues and Viaduct Fishery in Somerset is one where he has enjoyed plenty of success. Tackling up on Campbell Lake, he catapulted out half a pouch of 6mm pellets and within minutes the bubbles had appeared. Flicking his light bomb over the top the tip remained stationary apart from the occasional twitch. “If I was on the pole the rig would be moving all over the place but you don’t get those problems when fishing the bomb. When I get a bite…” He was interupted as the tip sailed round and kept going. The rod was picked up and he started to wind, using his clutch so the big carp could run as it wanted. By playing it carefully he was quickly in control and a 6lb common was beaten. “As I was saying, when you get a bite the tip keeps going so don’t strike at little knocks.” Over 80lb of carp came in the next three hours, with every bite resulting in a fish going in the net, and not one was foul-hooked. The bomb is rightly regarded as a deadly long-range tool but it is every bit as effective when fished close in.