After a bit of advice for what rig to use on a river.
Bit of back story, I have decided to have a go on the river Mole on one of my tickets. Its a few miles upstream from where it meets the thames so is fairly wide, slow moving and full of snaggy trees, streamer weed and some pads.
I did a couple of hours this morning, getting there for first light and leaving around 10. Having not fished the strech before i went light and did 45 minutes in each likely looking swim just to get a feel for it, working my way upstream. In the second swim i had a bite within ten minutes of casting out which i lost to a hook pull. Later on i found two fish in amongst some pads and streamer weed right under my feet, i lowered in the rig a few meters upsteam and in less than 5 minutes the rod tip swung right round and flicked back again with a huge plume of silt and bubbles erupting off the spot... id been done.
I was using a simple knotless knot rig, size 6 wide gape, small piece of silicon on the shank, small shrink tube kicker, coated braid with half an inch above the hook stripped, snowman bait presentation. Rig length was about 9-10 inches on a hybrid lead clip and 3oz lead (plenty heavy enough to hold bottom for the light flow). I was going for the strong and reliable route
Can anyone suggest some improvements or have i just been a bit unlucky. This is my first proper go at river carp and is obviously a bit different from the trotting for chub/perch that i used to do when i was younger
Bit of back story, I have decided to have a go on the river Mole on one of my tickets. Its a few miles upstream from where it meets the thames so is fairly wide, slow moving and full of snaggy trees, streamer weed and some pads.
I did a couple of hours this morning, getting there for first light and leaving around 10. Having not fished the strech before i went light and did 45 minutes in each likely looking swim just to get a feel for it, working my way upstream. In the second swim i had a bite within ten minutes of casting out which i lost to a hook pull. Later on i found two fish in amongst some pads and streamer weed right under my feet, i lowered in the rig a few meters upsteam and in less than 5 minutes the rod tip swung right round and flicked back again with a huge plume of silt and bubbles erupting off the spot... id been done.
I was using a simple knotless knot rig, size 6 wide gape, small piece of silicon on the shank, small shrink tube kicker, coated braid with half an inch above the hook stripped, snowman bait presentation. Rig length was about 9-10 inches on a hybrid lead clip and 3oz lead (plenty heavy enough to hold bottom for the light flow). I was going for the strong and reliable route
Can anyone suggest some improvements or have i just been a bit unlucky. This is my first proper go at river carp and is obviously a bit different from the trotting for chub/perch that i used to do when i was younger
In reply to Post #1
Get rid of the kicker and the snowman totally unnecessary with river carp , hard on the bottom and simple rigs .
Get rid of the kicker and the snowman totally unnecessary with river carp , hard on the bottom and simple rigs .
In reply to Post #1
It could be that the river carp have rock-hard mouths. I would advise to try a heavier lead, a bigger hook size 4 and at least a 10 inch rig.
It could be that the river carp have rock-hard mouths. I would advise to try a heavier lead, a bigger hook size 4 and at least a 10 inch rig.
In reply to Post #1
I could swap my rigs from river to lake with no problems.
A braid or coated braid hooklink and hooks Knotless knotted on with a line aligner. The bait is around 5-10mm from the hook on the hair, and for rivers I nearly always use a bottom bait.
Hook pattern I use is Solar 101's and Gardner Muggas, they are pretty much it.
I could swap my rigs from river to lake with no problems.
A braid or coated braid hooklink and hooks Knotless knotted on with a line aligner. The bait is around 5-10mm from the hook on the hair, and for rivers I nearly always use a bottom bait.
Hook pattern I use is Solar 101's and Gardner Muggas, they are pretty much it.
Thanks all, i will incorporate that lot into the next time out and see what happens