WITH A POLE ATTACK

Rod and line tactics often rule on big waters but Andy Pell shows why the pole at close quarters can work wonders

STANDING in a peg which controls a huge sheet of water, it’s easy to see why many anglers automatically favour rod and line tactics. After all, with so much water to hide in, surely the fish won’t be sat close in within pole range.

In this scenario, fishing a feeder is likely to be your best bet. Or is it? Andy Pell reckons that the biggest fish can actually be found inches from where you are sat.

“No matter how big the lake you are fishing is, carp won’t be able to resist coming into the margins to feed,” he tells us.

“Anglers always throw in leftover bait at the end of the day and the fish quickly latch on to this easy meal. Even if you can’t see signs of fish in the margins, if you drop in a rig you’ll be amazed how many times the float shoots under,” he adds.

Different approaches

Meadowlands Fishery near Coventry is one of the Guru and Mainline Match angler’s favourites and Lambsdown Lake is the perfect example of a water where the margins are neglected.

While carp are Andy’s primary target on most occasions, the venue is also home to masses of roach and skimmers and their presence helps him devise a plan.

“I feed both margins in a different manner to provide me with a better chance of success.

“One margin is fed with five or six big cups of groundbait and corn at the start but I expect this to take a while to get going.

“My favourite mix is Mainline Match Margin as it is full of particles that keep the fish grubbing around. This is because masses of silverfish will swarm in and feast on it instantly, eating away at the pile until the carp arrive.”