Justin Diver, by email

QSome anglers seem to play fish with the rod held high, and others with it held down low – what’s the difference?

AThe reason some carp anglers play their fish with the rod tip kept low and to the side, as match anglers are fond of doing, is that this keeps the line to the fish as flat as possible, causing it to rise up in the water. In theory, the fish can then only use its energy to swim away from you or towards you, not to rise or fall in the water.

However, it’s difficult to exert maximum pressure on a fish with the rod held low, which is where holding the rod high comes in. This makes it easier, for example, to reel in large amounts of line if you’ve hooked a fish at long range or in deep water. It’s also easier to react to a fish’s lunges by quickly changing your angle of pull.

In short, it’s best to practise both tactics, so all eventualities are covered!