LRF troubleshooting
Rough weather presents difficulties for LRF anglers, but they are problems that can be solved...
Rough weather problems solved
The weather has been playing havoc with my fishing. Good conditions in Scotland have been limited, with strong wind and coloured water making it difficult to see my lure and hampering line management.
There are also risks of wind knots, tip wraps and poor weather disrupting my LRF rigs, so here is how I solve the common problems encountered in rough weather.
WIND KNOTS
Braid gives great sensitivity, as well as excellent strength-to-diameter, but, no matter how advanced, it can still succumb to the dreaded wind knot where a tiny loop in the line can create a knot of mythical proportions. Luckily, there are a few things we can do to reduce the problem.
Most modern fixed-spool reels have good line-lay, but it is important to ensure that the roller bearing is free running. If it is sticky, a drop of reel oil can help it to run smoothly. A smooth-running bearing helps reduce line twist, which is a big cause of wind knots.
It is always advisable to underfill the spool when using braid; I leave a gap of about 5mm between the line and spool lip.
One of the best habits to get into when using braid is to always manually close the bale-arm, and then give a small pull on the line above the reel. This ensures it is located in the line roller and tightens it before you retrieve. This simple action stops loose line being reeled on the spool and helps you keep control of the line. Coils of loose line are a wind knot waiting to happen.
Lastly, check the line and spool every few casts to ensure it is being spooled correctly. These actions help you spot potential trouble and save time and effort in dealing with knots in braid.
A quick visual check of the line also helps you spot frayed or rough patches on the line, which weaken braid and make it liable to snap. Cut the line above the rough patch.
TIP WRAPS
Line wrapping around the tip can be disastrous for the slim sensitive tips found on many LRF rods. When the line wraps tightly around the top ring, all it takes is a slight turn of the reel to tighten the line and cause the rod tip to wrap around on itself. Very few rods can take this angle of bend, and it can be a recipe for a snapped tip.
If I suffer a tight tip wrap, I cut the line rather than attempt to untangle it. Yes, I lose some line, but it keeps my rod intact.
Another good trick is to add a small blob of varnish to the tip ring where the supporting arms join the top of the ring. This allows the line to slide over any possible sticking points on the tip ring.
WACKY RIGGING
Although nose hooking is the most traditional way of rigging a dropshotted lure, there are a couple of other rigging options that are worth a try.
Wacky rigging can give you a different presentation and works well on a dropshot rig, especially when you can work the lure vertically against the weight. It is best used with a worm-style lure. As it is hooked in the middle of the lure, you can get the head and tail to move to create more action. When you give slack line, the lure will fall, making the lure’s tail and head wave seductively.
Sometimes, when using lure colours that blend into the background, such as greens and browns, it can be hard to keep sight of the lure. A great way to help you keep an eye on it is tipping or double rigging a lure. This works well on jig head rigs and is a good way of adding extra attraction.
A dark lure with a small, trailing, lightcoloured section rigged on top of the lure can add a sight point that not only lets you see where the lure is, but also gives the fish a target point to hit. It also combines a scented bait to a non-scented soft plastic. This works well in coloured water because it gives a little more action and colour, especially when combining dark and light lures.
I like to rig inline with the lure below, but wacky rigging a secondary lure also works well. Isome in pink and white are my go-to lures for tipping a lure rigged on a jig head, mainly because these colours show up well and the added scent boosts the attraction. I mainly use this for working the seabed for and around structure; it’s a great way of attracting bottom-dwelling fish, such as flatties and scorpions.