DAVE HEALEY... Feeder edges

“We’ve decided to display our approach on the stunning Eric’s Lake which is packed with silverfish. The first job of the day is to cast around with a 1oz gripper/ feature finding lead to try and locate a stony bottom rather that silt.

“My aim is to catch on the drop, with most bites expected once the feeder has hit the deck but the hooklength is still falling through the water.

“It’s a devastating approach and brilliant for roach as they love to spend a lot of their time off the bottom.

“The kit is a 9ft Sensas 300 rod with a 0.75oz glass tip and this is combined with braided mainline which has zero stretch.

“This is essential because the short rod makes it easy to underarm my rig for short range fishing as well as swinging in and netting fish and is super soft and forgiving.

Remove the tension

“Roach can eject a hookbait with lightning fast speed. If you don’t set up properly, you’ll often come back with chewed maggots.

“The best way to spot every bite is to have almost no bend or tension in the rod tip. Roach dart around your peg picking up baits at pace and if you were to use a heavy tip that was under tension you’d miss a lot of opportunities because the fish disappear as soon as they feel the resistance of the rod tip.

“The soft, slack tip buys you time. Roach pick up the bait, move off and you register bites before they feel the resistance.

“Spotting the bite isn’t enough to ensure a fish ends up in the net. It’s what you do next that dictates the final result. It’s a natural instinct to strike but I simply start reeling.”

Cast frequently to catch quality roach on the drop

Dave’s feeder tactics were as busy as any pole angler

Plastic feeders are much more effective than wire versions because they don’t get trapped in the silt