GETTING IT RIGHT...

❱ ❱ DEAD DEPTH

If the fish are feeding on the bottom but are in a fickle mood it is best to present your hookbait so that it is just touching the deck. The moment the fish picks up the bait it will register as a slight dip. Once the plummet hits the deck, the bottom of the float body needs to be showing. Many anglers believe that dead depth is when the float tip is showing but when you remove the tension created by having a plummet on, this would actually be slightly overdepth.

❱ ❱ OFF BOTTOM

Most species live off the deck when it is warm but they can also sit shallow in winter. If you lose a number of fish when on the deck or overdepth, it is likely you are foul- hooking them, pulling the hook into them further up the water column on the strike. That is your cue to shallow up. Lower the plummet slowly and once the float tip disappears, continue to drop it an inch at a time until the plummet hits bottom. If you lower it 6in before touchdown, the hookbait will sit 6in off the deck when fishing.

❱ ❱ OVERDEPTH

Keeping the hookbait pinned to the deck is important when fishing for species such as bream and laying a little line on the deck makes sure it stays put. It is also a good way to fish in the wind as the inevitable slight movements of your pole tip won’t dislodge the hookbait. Every inch that is showing below the base of the float body when the plummet is on the deck represents how much line will be lying on the deck when fishing.