4 READ THE SIGNS

JUST because you’re legering doesn’t mean that you can’t read the swim properly. Slow-moving winter fish often give themselves away by causing line bites, which can be small, slow movements on the tip.

These aren’t always like the big, steady liners you get in the summer, so it’s vital to have your rod correctly set with front and back rests so you can ‘read’ the tip positioned just off the water.

If you find yourself sitting for long spells with no indications, it’s worth casting around to try and fish the fish.

If you’re getting liners but not proper bites, the shoal is likely to be closer to you, so dropping shorter may just catch you those extra fish.