What waggler rig do I use on large lakes for bream and skimmers?

Terry Malling, Norwich

AThe type of float you use will depend on the conditions and depth of the lake. I’ve fished places like Barston Lakes before and used a thick sarkanda reed waggler to try and combat the wind and keep the bait as still as possible.

In ideal conditions, though, a standard loaded insert float will be fine – it all depends on whether you need to lay line on the bottom to slow the rig down. If you do, a thick-topped straight float will be best.

I’d fish well overdepth for big bream, but for skimmers, having the bait just touching bottom will be more effective.

I wouldn’t hold back on the feed – I’d throw in or fire out six to 10 balls of groundbait at the start, then top up when things slow down and I feel as if I need to make something happen in the swim.

Steve Hemingray

1 FLOAT

4g loaded Drennan Crystal Insert

2 LINES

3lb mainline to a 30cm hooklength of 0.10mm Drennan Double Strength

3 SHOTTING

If not deep (up to 6ft) use four x No8 shot strung out. Use a bulk if it’s deeper or there’s a problem with little fish – use six to eight No8s and two droppers. In a bad wind when you want the float to settle and hold in the tow, then a bulk is better

4 DEPTH

Fish a float length overdepth for big fish or just touching bottom for skimmers

5 HOOK AND HOOKBAIT

Size 18 or 16 Kamasan B560 baited with single/double maggot or a piece of worm

6 FEEDING

Sensas Lake and brown crumb groundbait with chopped worms, maggots and casters