This month... Issue 369 October 20 – November 17, 2020
Fishery Focus 8
Lindholme Lakes
14
River Alne
24
Lincolnshire
Warwickshire
14
Tactics 24
Will Raison
Why it pays to be positive on the bomb
30
Sarah Taylor
34
Matt Powell
Carbon or wire float stem?
On the waggler for barbel 50
39 44 46
50
Darren Hudson
Get the best of both worlds
Quick fix
Three ways to feed for perch
Matt Benwell
Commercial baits for reservoir bream
56 60 62
Rig school 54
Bodied waggler for perch
Let loose for bream
Know your species
Bleak
Fish Better with Des Shipp Master the shortrange feeder
Robbie Griffiths
Positive to negative feeders
Pemb Wrighting
66
Q&A
Your questions answered
30
70
62
Tackle 70 10 of the best
98
Umbrellas and day shelters
74
New gear
The latest tackle releases
Carp tactics 90 94 96
98
56
Alfie Naylor
The art of stalking
Rig of the month Ronnie rig
Carp Q&A
Sticky’s experts solve your problems
What’s a leader Different materials explained
Your IYCF 76 80 82 88
IYCF chats to...
Rowan Bennington
Your letters Have your say
Daiwa Mission Your catch shots
Angling puzzle break
Win a Korum Lure Bag
SUBSCRIBE! Receive this Stillwater bait bowl set worth £34.99
VISIT: www.greatmagazines.co.uk/IYCF CALL: 01858 438 884 QUOTE: ‘KGAA’ CLOSING DATE: Nov 16, 2020 www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 5
Lindholme Lakes
Sky is the limit for leading fishery Bosses at Lindholme Lakes are bucking the trend by continuing to splash the cash on expansion during these uncertain times. Alex Dockerty reveals exactly what makes this complex so popular Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs
8 IYCF | Issue 369
T
HE pandemic has turned pretty much everyone’s world upside down in one way or another. For individuals it has meant less time with their loved ones and restrictions on doing many of the things they shared in common. On the business front, it has meant less cash being generated, leading to dire consequences in many cases. Investment has ground to a halt as companies try to shore up their finances, but there are some that are still putting their hands in their pockets to improve facilities… and that includes fisheries. Lindholme Lakes has been at the forefront of the commercial scene for two decades and, despite this year’s troubles, its growth is showing no sign of letting up with plenty of development at the complex. A brand-new, state of the art tackle shop packed with seatboxes, rods, poles and everything else you can think
of has been created, with a new café and restaurant also opening its doors to visiting anglers. That’s not the end of the expansion either, with new land acquired to build more luxurious accommodation and develop fish-filled lakes. This drive to improve is certainly nothing new though, and Alex Dockerty has been fortunate enough to watch the fishery flourish over the years. The Drennan-backed star has worked at the Lincolnshire complex for 10 years and witnessed firsthand just how much it has grown. “The Lindholme Lakes that exists now is a million miles away from what I saw when I first started working here,” stated Alex. “It has been non-stop development over that time, with new lakes and facilities constantly cropping up leading to thousands of anglers becoming regular visitors.”
FISHERY FOCUS An in-depth guide to the best stillwaters, rivers, and canals that you can fish for the price of a day ticket
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 9
WHY IT PAYS TO BE PO Bomb fishing is a deadly tactic all year round. Discover what’s happening in your
TACTICS: BOMB SPECIES: CARP DIFFICULTY:
24 IYCF | Issue 369
TACTICS
OSITIVE ON THE BOMB peg and you can still feed plenty, even when water temperatures start to cool off
Words Will Raison Photography Ryan Hayden
S
OME people think that loosefeeding on the bomb is simple. ‘Nothing to it, just ping out some pellets and chuck a bomb over the top,’ they say. In the depths of winter, to some degree, they are right. But, for the rest of the year and sometimes in the winter, they are totally wrong. There is a lot more to bomb fishing than many realise. A little tweak here and there can have a massive impact on your catch rate, and potentially turn an average day’s fishing into a great one!
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 25
Select the stem for pole success There are hundreds of float styles and Sarah Taylor reveals why picking a carbon or wire stem could make or break your session Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs
TACTICS: POLE SPECIES: MIXED DIFFICULTY:
30 IYCF | Issue 369
TACTICS
T
HERE are lots of factors to consider when selecting a pole float. The thickness of the tip, shape of the body and its weight are all elements that need thinking about before you tie a rig. But one factor that is often overlooked is the material used for the stem. It may seem like a trivial point, but it actually plays a massive part in how the rig performs. Although there are several different materials available, carbon and wire are arguably the most commonly used. So, when should you use each one? Up-andcoming star, Sarah Taylor, hit the headlines last month when she was crowned Fish O’Mania NXTGEN winner, pocketing a cool £2,500 in the process. Pole fishing was the name of the game during the final and her choice of float played a vital role in helping her secure victory. “Carbon and wire stems behave in very different ways and you need to think carefully about how you want to present the hookbait before making your choice,” she told us.
Winning styles
The big difference between carbon and wire stems is how they sit in the water. Carbon versions take a while to cock, laying on the surface at first before gradually sitting up. They are ideal for catching on the drop when you are unsure what depth the fish are feeding at. “You need to keep your rig in a straight line to maintain the tension if you are going to spot every bite. A strung-out shotting pattern is ideal when using a carbon-stemmed float. This makes sure the mainline falls through the water slowly and maintains a straight line as the float gradually cocks,” said Sarah. Wire-stemmed floats are all about getting the bait to the deck quickly and they cock almost instantly. You therefore want your mainline to sink quickly to create that essential straight line throughout the float and mainline. A bulk of shot close to the hook achieves this. You can place one or two smaller dropper shot below to slow the fall of the hookbait a fraction in the final stages if you want to make it look a little more natural.”
CARBON STEM
Lay the float on its side and it will gradually sit up
WIRE STEM
Lower the rig down into the swim to keep everything straight
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 31
THREE GREAT WAYS Specimen stripeys have become a star attraction in stillwater fisheries LS I EASY
QUICK
SKILLS I EA
FIX
L
AN
ING
EA SI
G
IL SK
GL
LI N G S ANG KI L SY
44 IYCF | Issue 369
SY ANGL IN
A
FTER a summer spent catching plenty of carp and F1s, it’s time for a change at many stillwaters. Species that fed with gusto during the warmer months have become much trickier to fool and there are no guarantees of a red-letter day if you continue to pursue them. Thankfully, most modern fisheries are also home to a wide range of other species that are willing to feed aggressively when the temperatures drop. Perch are one of the main fish that suddenly become of interest and with specimens to a breathtaking 4lb in plenty of venues, it’s little wonder they are so popular! But how do you go about catching these stunning stripeys? This month we take a look at three red-hot bait approaches that will put you in with a chance of a new personal best.
TO FEED FOR PERCH and here are a trio of bait tactics most likely to put them in your net AND 1 MAGGOT CASTER MUSH The aim of loosefeed is to draw in fish without overfeeding them. When targeting the margins, a cloud that is packed with scent and only a few morsels of bait will score well. Mushing up a mixture of maggots, worms and casters will release an irresistible aroma, adding a little colour to the clearing water at the same time. Turn to this attack when fishing in water up to 3ft deep.
2 STANDOUT SINGLES If you are on a peg with form for big perch you may not actually need any loosefeed as it could simply distract them from the hookbait. Instead, a large prawn hookbait coloured in a pungent additive could be all that’s needed to lure a perch out from under a snag where it is hiding. Use a bright colour to make sure the hookbait really stands out in clear water.
3 STINKY GROUNDBAIT When fishing deeper water, a mush will not work as the scent will drift away. Instead, a groundbait mix packed with heavier offerings that get to the deck quickly will be far more effective. Rely on a dark groundbait as this will attract small silverfish which will lure in predatory perch. Include chopped worms and prawns for a carpet of feed that will keep the fish grubbing around once they show up.
Take a KUUK Mini Pull Chopper Food Processor and add a handful of casters and red maggots
Choose a pungent bait additive that is also colourful to make hookbaits stand out
Tip half a bag of groundbait into a bait box and mix with water, keeping the blend fairly dry
Take around five or six worms and place them on top of the maggots and casters
Place a handful of prawns in a food bag and tip in a generous glug of Spotted Fin Krill liquid
Add a handful of prawns and use scissors to chop them into pieces of different sizes
Place the lid on the KUUK and pull the handle several times to mince the contents
Blow air into the bag and seal it before shaking to evenly spread the contents
Do the same with maggots and worms, using the scissors to chop them up
Add the pulp to your groundbait and make balls of feed that will help deter small perch
Leave in the bag for 15 minutes so the colour and flavour fully penetrates the prawns
Add a few squirts of Dynamite Baits Liquid Worm and stir the contents thoroughly
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TACTICS: FEEDER SPECIES: BREAM DIFFICULTY:
Out with the old, in with the new Cage feeder tactics used to rule supreme for bream on large reservoirs but Matt Benwell shows why a fresh approach will produce even bigger catches Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs
46 IYCF | Issue 369
TACTICS
W
ORMS, casters and maggots are the staple baits of bream anglers who love the challenges posed by a typically vast reservoir. On the whole, the tactics used on these fisheries have remained unchanged over the years, with the techniques that worked decades ago still very much in vogue. But there are some anglers who have veered away from the traditional approaches and are enjoying success more of a commercial fishery mentality towards their tactics.
Natural water fanatic Matt Benwell thinks an indepth look at what most visitors to these waters are using explains why the fish have developed a new taste. “A lot of anglers that wanted a change from commercial carp complexes are now fishing reservoirs on a regular basis. They are using the baits they have always relied on and are confident with,” said Matt. “That means the fish are seeing more pellets, boilies and glugs, and they now play a key part in my bream fishing.”
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 47
FROM POSITIVE
Robbie Griffiths reveals why switching the style of feeder can have
Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs
METHOD s off Bait break uickly q the frame ular and reg uired req casting is
TACTICS: FEEDER SPECIES: CARP/F1s DIFFICULTY:
BANJO The walls of feeder keep th the e bait concentrated for longer period a
MAXIMUM FEED DELIVERED
T
HIS time of year provides anglers with a baiting conundrum. The fish aren’t feeding heavy enough to ‘fill it in’, but neither are they in full on hibernation mode yet where they only snack on an occasional morsel. With that in mind, it clearly means you need to settle for a balance between both and it is crucial that you get the amount bang on. There are dozens of different feeders on the market and each one is designed to deliver bait in a certain manner. Pick the wrong one and you could end up introducing
50 IYCF | Issue 369
the wrong amount of bait which can impact negatively on your results. Get it right, though, and you’ll reap the rewards. According to Preston Innovations’ Robbie Griffiths, any confusion over which feeder will score best can be avoided by adopting a simple selection process. “I rely on five different types of feeder for all my commercial fishery work. How aggressively the fish are feeding will dictate my choice,” he told IYCF. “Each one is designed to release the feed in a particular way and understanding when to use each and that you may need to change during a session is key.”
TACTICS
TO NEGATIVE
a major impact on the amount of fish that go into your net PELLET y onl This style of one ut empties o ng a very ti side, crea of feed tight pile
MAGGOT If the fish are refusing to ea t pellets, this ty pe guaranteed w is a inner
BOMB Give this a a whirl if ait okb single ho nly is the o ly to thing like te get a bi
MINIMUM FEED DELIVERED
Doing your homework
Once you have picked your fishery, it is important to take a number of aspects into consideration before you even think about wetting a line. Try and get some information from the owners or recent match results about how well the lake is fishing and also analyse the weather conditions. With that data at hand you can then make a decision about which type of feeder you are going to use. “My system ranks the five feeders in order from the most positive in terms of delivering bait all the way down to the most negative,” said Robbie. “When I talk about a ‘positive’ feeder I am referring to how quick it releases the bait and
how often you need to recast.” Right at the top of the list is a Method feeder. The bait comes off the frame quickly and it will need recasting at least every five minutes. This is because the pile of bait gets disturbed and wafted around if a fish swims over the top as opposed to going in headfirst and taking the hookbait. Second in line is a Banjo feeder. This operates in a similar way to a Method but it has side walls that protect the bait better. This keeps the bait on the frame for longer and it can also withstand some nearby commotion. This can be kept in place for up to 15 minutes on days when instant bites are unlikely.
Minimising bait options will help simplify your day on the bank
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G I R OL SC H
A
O
BODIED WAGGLER FOR PERCH
With the perch season starting you’ll need a reliable float set-up in your armoury. Here’s one to try this month...
S THE nights start to draw in perch fishing really starts to come into its own. The fish will be feeding hard now, filling up on protein-rich food, such as small fish, worms and crayfish, before the cold months inevitably come around. This is a brilliant time to target them,
especially on commercial fisheries, where they can often be found around pegs with lots of overhanging cover. This float rig is designed to present a big bait on the bottom, and hold it in position close to cover. Because of the proximity of snags, and the chance of a fish of a lifetime, the gear is able to
handle big perch and any rogue carp that might gatecrash the session. The big hook is also perfect for large baits, such as lobworm or a whole uncooked prawn. There are few better ways to catch specimen perch than on the float and this simple rig makes presenting a bait properly a piece of cake.
HOW TO TIE A PERCH FLOAT RIG FOR BIG BAITS
Fix the float adaptor to the Tie a micro swivel to the end Tie a size 10 wide gape st yle bottom of the float. This lets 2 of the mainline to create hook to a 30cm length of 5lb 1 3 the float fold flat on the strike a strong connection bet ween hooklength nylon using a strong and enables you to swap easily
mainline and hooklength
knot such as a palomar
Tie the end of the hooklength Fix the float at the correct Finish the rig by placing the to the micro swivel using a depth with t wo BB shot. Place 6 remaining shot just above 4 5 four-turn grinner knot a No.4 shot 12cm above the hook the micro swivel
54 IYCF | Issue 369
YOU WILL NEED ✔ 6lb (0.18mm) mainline ✔ 5lb (0.14mm) hooklength ✔ Split shot ✔ 4BB-8BB Bodied waggler float ✔ Rubber float adaptor ✔ Browning micro swivel ✔ Size 10 Nash Fang Uni hook
FLOAT
A bodied waggler can be cast further and will help to keep the rig stable in wind or when there’s any surface tow
MAINLINE
Use a strong mainline of around 6lb as there is every chance a carp will pick your hookbait up at some point in the session
MICRO SWIVEL This acts as a strong join between the mainline and hooklength and helps to prevent the line twisting and tangling
SHOTTING
HOOKBAIT
A large bait such as a prawn or lobworm provides an irresistable meal for a big perch
The No.4 shot placed 12cm above the hook should rest on the bottom and anchor the rig in place
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 55
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY EXPERTS... I’m planning my first attempt at fishing rivers for chub this month. What rig should I use to get off to a good start?
FLOAT
Use a loafer-style float with a buoyant tip that won’t be dragged under by the current
NICK HOLMES, EMAIL
A
If you can find a swim with a steady pace, there is no better way to start your chub campaign than with a simple float rig. It will enable you to cover a lot more water than a feeder or bomb, increasing your chances of walking the hookbait near a big fish or two. Look for swims with plenty of features and run your rig through at varying speeds to try and work out how the chub want it on the day.
MAINLINE
A 6lb mainline straight through to the hook will help you beat big chub in most swims
SHOTTING
A bulk of shot 2ft from the hook gets the hookbait down quickly
ASK US A QUESTION... Email: IYCF@bauermedia.co.uk Write to: IYCF Magazine, Bauer Media, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA www.facebook.com/iycfmag @iycfmagazine
HOOKBAIT
A large piece of breadflake is ideal for chub of all sizes when fishing the float
Q
In what scenario is a window feeder most effective?
NICK TYLER, EMAIL
A
A window feeder is a tool that is often used to great effect on natural waters for roach, bream and perch. Lots of anglers use cage feeders packed with groundbait on these types of venues, but there are occasions when groundbait can actually deter the fish. Switching to a window feeder enables you to introduce a lot more loosefeed such as maggots, casters and chopped worm that could trigger a feeding frenzy. A small nugget of groundbait is used to plug the entry hole to stop any bait flying out on the cast, but this will make up less than 20 per cent of the whole payload.
Q
I’ve read that maggots work on the short pole for F1s in winter, but how far out should I fish? DANNY SIMMS, EMAIL
10m
Clear
8m
A
Maggots are a brilliant winter bait because you can feed decent quantities of them without overfeeding the fish. This works a treat for F1s because they are attracted to a constant trickle of bait coming through the water column, but are still easily filled. The clarity of the water is the main consideration when deciding how far out to fish a short pole line. As a rule of thumb, pencil it in at 6m when it is coloured, 8m when there is a tinge and 10m when it’s clear. This is because the clearer it is, the more the fish can detect what is going on above the waterline, pushing further out into the lake in the process.
Tinge of colour
6m
Coloured
HOW TO MAKE A MEAT MUSH
Sainsbury’s chopped pork and ham is the ideal consistency
Run the tin of meat through a handoperated mincer
Q
I’ve heard that meat is mainly a summer bait, but are there any occasions when it would produce the goods at this time of year? SIMON BUTLER, ESSEX
A
Meat is packed full of protein that fills fish quickly so it is best to keep the quantity you loosefeed to a minimum. But that doesn’t mean you should completely shun it at this time of year. Rather than using whole cubes, it is best introduced as a mush. This will be packed with attraction but will include very little actual food content. Place a single 8mm cube among a small bed of the blended goodies and your hookbait will soon be devoured.
The result is a mushy loosefeed that can be cupped in over your target
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 67
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GREAT SHELTERS
IYCF editor James Furness best brollies and day shelterstakes a look at some of the comfortable on the bank as on the market to keep you we head ever closer to winte r Korum Day Shelter Lite
RRP: £99.99
I first used this shelter during Storm Gareth in 2019 and, after it stood up to gusts of more than 50mph, it has become my number one cho ice for short carp sessions when it’s forecast to be rain y or windy. It certainly lives up to its Lite moniker and, packed down, it is compact and eas y to transport. Based on a two-rib pram hood design, it’s really quick and easy to put up and with two tension bars extended between the ribs, it’s incredibly sturdy. The re’s plenty of space inside for all of your kit and if you peg ged it out on it widest setting you could probably eve n squeeze a small bedchair inside. www.korum.co.uk
70 IYCF | Issue 369
TACKLE
FOR LESS THAN £100 W
HAT a difference a few wee ks makes. It wasn’t that long ago we were experiencing temperatures in the mid-th irties. But shortly after this issue goe s on sale, the clocks will go back an hou r and it’s a safe
bet that it will feel much coo ler outside. While we’re not yet at the stage where super thick thermal suits are required to keep warm during a day on the bank, we’re sadly past the point for another year where you can just sit out in the sun
without any sort of shelter . So what better time to loo k at some of best traditional brollies and quick-erect day shelters that will protec t you from the elements this autumn. And best of all, you pick all of them up for less than £100.
Maver Pole Shipper Umbr ella RRP: £64.99
The 50in brolly from Maver is designed specifically with pole anglers in mind. The addition of two pole vents me ans you can ship your pole bac k through these vents while still having total protec tion and cover from the rain . A unique two-tilt system and 2ft removable extension enables the umbrella to fit flush with the ground which offers extra protection from strong side winds. D-ring peg ging points and a PUcoated nylon material with welded seams complete this wallet-friendly brolly. www.mavermatch.co.uk
Preston Innovations Com petition Pro RRP: £74.99
This versatile 50in brolly has a varied angle tilt which give s you more coverage options and is the refore perfect for diverse wea conditions. The stability and ther reliability of this brolly is sign ificantly aided by the extra strong brolly pol e. The thickness of the pole has been increased, resulting in a stu rdy and long lasting brolly. It’s worth noting that Preston has made the brolly pole extra-long, giving you more height options and easy use on the bank. Add to that waterproo f taped seams, dual pegging points (pegs sup plied as standard) and an ext ra strong steel frame and you have a very reasonably priced and sturdy shelter. www.prestoninnovations. com
Korum Graphite Brolly RRP: £74.99
Built on a graphite 50in fram e, this brolly is strong and light, weighing just 2.6kg. The heavy-duty 210D PU cover is fully taped for maximum protection. The fabric around the points have been reinforced to prevent wear. The pole can either be pushed into the ground or fixe d to the Korum Accessory Chair. The pole can also be adjusted to angle the brolly if required. www.korum.co.uk
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 71
CARP Q&A
IN ASSOCIATION WITH STICKY
THE BAITS AND FEATURES BEST FOR AUTUMN S IN BOILIE REAS RA DEEPE EAL IN D ARE I UMN AUT
ASK US A QUESTION...
Email: IYCF@bauermedia.co.uk Write to: IYCF Magazine, Bauer Media, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA www.facebook.com/iycfmag @iycfmagazine
Q
When using mesh PVA bags, is it best to just nick them on to the hook or should I pull the entire hooklength through the bag?
Dave Garratt, email TOM MAKER: If you’re using a rig which has a hair and a possibility to tangle, then I would recommend pulling the rig through the bag and covering the hook. If this isn’t possible and is a tad fiddly, leave a tag end on the PVA bag, nick the bag on to the hook and then wrap the tag around the hair to trap it in place and eliminate tangles. If you’re using a rig without a hair like my favoured 360, nick it on and you’re good to go!
Q
Which sort of baits and areas of the lake should I be targeting for my autumn sessions?
Chris Thomas, Hertfordshire GAZ FAREHAM: For me, autumn is always about fishing with boilies. In summer I will still fish with boilies, but they will be mainly broken up and mixed in with a lot of pellets and seeds. When it gets beyond September, I pretty much
Increase the attraction of boilies by adding liquids and powders for your autumn campaign
96 IYCF | Issue 369
fish boilies almost exclusively. If possible, I like to try and bait the lake I am fishing regularly. It is all about consistency and if you can apply the bait a few times a week, there’s a good chance that the fish will visit your baited spots regularly. Carp are also trying to stack on weight and boilies are the best way to do that, particularly with a product such as Krill, which has everything that they could want and need in it. I like to ramp up the attraction by adding Pure Calanus Liquid and some GLM powder too, as that will sit and linger over the spot even if all the bait has gone. Not only do I change the bait at this time of year, the areas that I want to target differ too. In summer I may be looking at bars, bays, margins and so on, whereas in the autumn, I prefer the slightly deeper and silty areas in open water. Something with a nice bit of depth to them and firmer silt is a great place to put the rigs. The silt will hold big larders of naturals and you will see the fizzing and sheeting on these areas as carp dig out the bottom searching for them. If you can pick an area that the fish are already using and visiting, then you are on to a winner.
If you are worried about weed affecting your presentation, hook on a small PVA bag
YOUR CARP QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY STICKY’S EXPERT ANGLERS
Q
Once I’ve cast out, what is the best way to sink my line and tighten up the slack without moving my rig out of position?
Be careful tightening slack line when using braid
Ian Cox, email SCOTT LLOYD: Sinking your line
correctly is hugely important. Cast out, feel the lead down so you’re happy with the drop, then simply place your rod tip under the water and steadily tease the line with your fingers and thumb to take the bow out of the line until you see the line
Q
I can’t really afford to spend a fortune on bait so what would be the most cost effective way of getting maximum attraction into my swim without having to shell out for lots of boilies and different liquids?
Sasha Newell, email MYLES GIBSON: Particle, particle and more
particle! I use a hell of a lot of bait due to the nature of the lake I’m fishing. I love to use particles and pellets too to give spots a handful here and there and then monitor them from the boat when I return. The tiny bits in the mix, such as pigeon conditioner, clean spots perfectly when carp are grubbing around. Hemp, albeit slightly more expensive, is still far cheaper than
Particles are mega for big carp without breaking the bank
filling it in with boilies, especially if you cook it yourself. I know you said you wanted to avoid liquids, but I cannot recommend the new Pure Calanus liquid enough! A few capfuls in your particle mix will transform it, giving it masses of extra attraction and smell. Trust me, it’s worth it and it goes a hell of a long way. Pure Calanus is a cost-effective boost to particle mixes
disappear from both the lead side and the rod tip side (you’ll see the Vs come together in the water as both meet). If there’s an undertow or crosswind, the quicker you dip the tip, the more chance the line has of sinking quicker. Once the line has sunk, place the rod on the rest and let the line rest without too much tension before clipping on your bobbin. If you’re fishing braid, like 99% of my fishing now, you need to be super careful doing this because there’s no room for error due to the zero stretch in braid. Never tighten down to the rig instantly as you will move the rig without knowing!
Q
Does shrink tubing really make much difference? Match anglers never seem to use it on their rigs, but they still catch lots of carp!
Kevin Armstrong, email STEVE RENYARD: It all depends on the type of rig you’re using, and also the pattern of hook since the hooklink exits differently on certain patterns which means that shrink tube isn’t required. Most of the time, shrink tube is used on rigs, such as a blowback, to make them more aggressive, but I’d presume most match anglers don’t use shrink tube because it’s a lengthy process to do hundreds of rigs with it! They need a fast and simple rig which works effectively. One of my favourite rigs – the basic complicated – is as simple as it gets, and the reason it works well without shrink tube is down to using a hook with an outturned eye that enables the fluorocarbon to create an aggressive angle as it exits the eye without the need of shrink tube. I reckon I could tie this in 30 seconds!
Shrink tube is not essential in all cases – it depends on the rig and hook pattern
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