Thinking of buying one of these, how castable are they at 8oz?
One of the lakes I hope to be fishing this year gets over run with weed, so how easy is it to clear a small channel with one of these? I like the idea it can be cast, I have a 12ft 5lb test spod with 50lb braid.
What's everyone's thoughts please?
TIA
One of the lakes I hope to be fishing this year gets over run with weed, so how easy is it to clear a small channel with one of these? I like the idea it can be cast, I have a 12ft 5lb test spod with 50lb braid.
What's everyone's thoughts please?
TIA
In reply to Post #1
They're great and I use a 4.5lb TC spod rod to chuck mine, no issues. I have cleaned a few spots at range with this, highly recommend.
They're great and I use a 4.5lb TC spod rod to chuck mine, no issues. I have cleaned a few spots at range with this, highly recommend.
In reply to Post #2
Brilliant mate, thank you, just what I wanted to hear.
What line do you use?
Brilliant mate, thank you, just what I wanted to hear.
What line do you use?
In reply to Post #1
The 8oz one isn't designed to be cast
Might be alright if you want it to stir up silt, I'd be a bit dubious about casting it into weed, even a breakaway lead will often need handlining back and that's a quarter the size of the gardner thing
I use rakes a lot and will rarely cast the biggest ai rake without thinning out the spot with the sea lead first
The 8oz one isn't designed to be cast
Might be alright if you want it to stir up silt, I'd be a bit dubious about casting it into weed, even a breakaway lead will often need handlining back and that's a quarter the size of the gardner thing
I use rakes a lot and will rarely cast the biggest ai rake without thinning out the spot with the sea lead first
In reply to Post #4
I think you're right, the 8oz one looks a bit unweildly doesn't it.
The 3.5oz one seems alright though. I can imagine if you want to clear a few spots properly you'll be there hours.
I think you're right, the 8oz one looks a bit unweildly doesn't it.
The 3.5oz one seems alright though. I can imagine if you want to clear a few spots properly you'll be there hours.
In reply to Post #5
Both of those look fine, have you used any of these mate?
Both of those look fine, have you used any of these mate?
In reply to Post #1
Just brought one last week but waiting on delivery, mines for margin spots, dead leaf's, twigs etc.
Not sure I'd want to cast it into thick weed.
Just brought one last week but waiting on delivery, mines for margin spots, dead leaf's, twigs etc.
Not sure I'd want to cast it into thick weed.
In reply to Post #7
Got the arrow head one casts well and retrieves alot of weed when you land in it/over it as does the Gardner smaller weed rake but being a flat profile goes out a bit unwieldy on longer casts, the ebay rakes I haven't tried.
Got the arrow head one casts well and retrieves alot of weed when you land in it/over it as does the Gardner smaller weed rake but being a flat profile goes out a bit unwieldy on longer casts, the ebay rakes I haven't tried.
In reply to Post #9
Cheers fella 👍
Cheers fella 👍
In reply to Post #1
as some have already alluded to - be careful where you chuck it. One cast in the wrong place and you're never getting it back.
as some have already alluded to - be careful where you chuck it. One cast in the wrong place and you're never getting it back.
In reply to Post #1
as duggs post. . .based on personal experience (and depending how weedy your lake is) I'd start with a 3oz fox grappling lead to get an idea of what's out there . . .if its chokka with weed then retrieving this will be an effort in its own right and you'll be initially surprised at the lumps you can retrieve . . .however after an hour or so of this you may realise that you've only actually made a minor 'dent' in clearing anything . . .as well as pissing everyone else on the lake off (unless its a mahoosive inland sea)
Wouldn't want to be casting the larger gardner rake anywhere - you'd be better off attaching that to some climbing rope and flinging it out cowboy lassoo style. . .better still if its margins and they're shallow then chesties and a larger tarmac rake head end on a rope will make clearing a decent sized area a lot faster . . .good luck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rOM55xwvwc
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233711457102?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=233711457102&targetid=1140014332782&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007030&poi=&campaignid=12126077997&mkgroupid=116380011786&rlsatarget=pla-1140014332782&abcId=9300480&merchantid=6995734&gclid=Cj0KCQiA34OBBhCcARIsAG32uvO51br6PTMdpA4SYGB_2EX6efbpvtPJEj4NuX6IW_FjrmyuCM3DFcUaAkTCEALw_wcB
as duggs post. . .based on personal experience (and depending how weedy your lake is) I'd start with a 3oz fox grappling lead to get an idea of what's out there . . .if its chokka with weed then retrieving this will be an effort in its own right and you'll be initially surprised at the lumps you can retrieve . . .however after an hour or so of this you may realise that you've only actually made a minor 'dent' in clearing anything . . .as well as pissing everyone else on the lake off (unless its a mahoosive inland sea)
Wouldn't want to be casting the larger gardner rake anywhere - you'd be better off attaching that to some climbing rope and flinging it out cowboy lassoo style. . .better still if its margins and they're shallow then chesties and a larger tarmac rake head end on a rope will make clearing a decent sized area a lot faster . . .good luck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rOM55xwvwc
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233711457102?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=233711457102&targetid=1140014332782&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007030&poi=&campaignid=12126077997&mkgroupid=116380011786&rlsatarget=pla-1140014332782&abcId=9300480&merchantid=6995734&gclid=Cj0KCQiA34OBBhCcARIsAG32uvO51br6PTMdpA4SYGB_2EX6efbpvtPJEj4NuX6IW_FjrmyuCM3DFcUaAkTCEALw_wcB
In reply to Post #12
You do have to be realistic about how much you actually clear, I'm looking to thin it out to aid presentation, expose natural food and with a few casts beyond, try an simulate a carp tunnel leading to the spot
I always start with a sea lead as they're cheap and the arms will give if its chokka, they're also better if there's silkweed about as rakes just kind of skip over it
You do have to be realistic about how much you actually clear, I'm looking to thin it out to aid presentation, expose natural food and with a few casts beyond, try an simulate a carp tunnel leading to the spot
I always start with a sea lead as they're cheap and the arms will give if its chokka, they're also better if there's silkweed about as rakes just kind of skip over it
In reply to Post #12
Some really useful advice here on last two posts. The lake I have in mind is about 100 acre. It's a silty mere with lots of bars but mega weedy, Canadian pond weed mostly and last year nearly every cast I was bringing back a massive clump of the stuff. My approach was all wrong too, I was just fishing a multi rig on a lead clip. Infact I'd put money on the fact that I wasn't actually presenting a worthwhile rig 90% of the time.
So this year, different tactics. Firstly I'm really going to try and find some clear spots. I have a Chirp+ and a Fishspy marker so my plan is to try and identify some "viable" spots.
The idea of the castable weedrake is if there isn't any spots then I was going to try and create a few.
I will start on the smaller grappling leads, small sea leads and try and ascertain what's what.
Really appreciate the feedback here 👍
Some really useful advice here on last two posts. The lake I have in mind is about 100 acre. It's a silty mere with lots of bars but mega weedy, Canadian pond weed mostly and last year nearly every cast I was bringing back a massive clump of the stuff. My approach was all wrong too, I was just fishing a multi rig on a lead clip. Infact I'd put money on the fact that I wasn't actually presenting a worthwhile rig 90% of the time.
So this year, different tactics. Firstly I'm really going to try and find some clear spots. I have a Chirp+ and a Fishspy marker so my plan is to try and identify some "viable" spots.
The idea of the castable weedrake is if there isn't any spots then I was going to try and create a few.
I will start on the smaller grappling leads, small sea leads and try and ascertain what's what.
Really appreciate the feedback here 👍
In reply to Post #14
I must also remember to use a naked chod.
I must also remember to use a naked chod.
In reply to Post #14
Can't you get down before the weed starts growing,pile in a load of particle and create your own spots.Even if the carp don't do it the birdlife will and hopefully the carp will follow
Can't you get down before the weed starts growing,pile in a load of particle and create your own spots.Even if the carp don't do it the birdlife will and hopefully the carp will follow
In reply to Post #14
Sometimes a bit obvious but was told this a few years ago!
Start casting the weed rake from short distance first, making your way out to the eventual area intended. That way less chance of snagging too much weed in one hit making it one hell of a task to get back
Sometimes a bit obvious but was told this a few years ago!
Start casting the weed rake from short distance first, making your way out to the eventual area intended. That way less chance of snagging too much weed in one hit making it one hell of a task to get back
In reply to Post #16
Very busy lake mate, I guarantee if I do anything like that in advance I'll be clearing it for someone else.
Very busy lake mate, I guarantee if I do anything like that in advance I'll be clearing it for someone else.
In reply to Post #17
Good call.
Good call.
In reply to Post #18
I've never found a way to keep these spots quiet, the fish will give it away quickly, normally fizzing up for a week or so.
I've done it on day tickets and you don't get back in the swim until the spots gone sour, I think of it as a single big hit tactic, unfortunately the big hit can often happen two days after you've left
Usually pretty instant tho
I've never found a way to keep these spots quiet, the fish will give it away quickly, normally fizzing up for a week or so.
I've done it on day tickets and you don't get back in the swim until the spots gone sour, I think of it as a single big hit tactic, unfortunately the big hit can often happen two days after you've left
Usually pretty instant tho
In reply to Post #20
. . again agree with that . . I've done it on a previous syndicate water and also filled it with particle for good measure only to return days later and find the swim occupied . . on weedy lakes any 'created' clear spots (unless you can boat out at distance) are generally within castable range (to give you half a chance of getting the fish back in) and are like illuminated beacons so will usually be obvious to all but the noddy . . .not only that but the pile of retrieved weed in a swim also makes it blindly obvious . . .
In addition (and not to depress you too much) I have experienced weed 'moving' and hours spent clearing a channel to a suitable hard spot can seemingly grow back / move over the channel / spring back into place days after all the hard work is done . . .
Would def persevere with the Chirp (I used to use a Smartcast back in the day) as these are great for initially finding 'existing' holes in a swim much better than a marker float. Once you've located these spots then your call as to whether thinning down a channel from the spot to the rod tip will help with presentation or not . . .the bigger challenge will be retrieving and landing the fish safely if you hook one IMHO!
I do think raking has its place and can def liven up or create a spot - however for the effort spent I remember having as much success with finding the existing spots as outlined above and fishing tips up high (beachcaster style) in an attempt to keep as much line from settling in the weed as possible . . .ALSO - personally would not use a naked (or any other) chod rig either - not only is the indication ***** but if you're fishing on a clear area anyway it has no benefit . . .personally found big solid pva bags with either drop off inline or clip (making sure the lead drops) and pulling back slightly into the weed after the donk so the rig is on the edge of the clear spot gave more consistent takes . . .
. . again agree with that . . I've done it on a previous syndicate water and also filled it with particle for good measure only to return days later and find the swim occupied . . on weedy lakes any 'created' clear spots (unless you can boat out at distance) are generally within castable range (to give you half a chance of getting the fish back in) and are like illuminated beacons so will usually be obvious to all but the noddy . . .not only that but the pile of retrieved weed in a swim also makes it blindly obvious . . .
In addition (and not to depress you too much) I have experienced weed 'moving' and hours spent clearing a channel to a suitable hard spot can seemingly grow back / move over the channel / spring back into place days after all the hard work is done . . .
Would def persevere with the Chirp (I used to use a Smartcast back in the day) as these are great for initially finding 'existing' holes in a swim much better than a marker float. Once you've located these spots then your call as to whether thinning down a channel from the spot to the rod tip will help with presentation or not . . .the bigger challenge will be retrieving and landing the fish safely if you hook one IMHO!
I do think raking has its place and can def liven up or create a spot - however for the effort spent I remember having as much success with finding the existing spots as outlined above and fishing tips up high (beachcaster style) in an attempt to keep as much line from settling in the weed as possible . . .ALSO - personally would not use a naked (or any other) chod rig either - not only is the indication ***** but if you're fishing on a clear area anyway it has no benefit . . .personally found big solid pva bags with either drop off inline or clip (making sure the lead drops) and pulling back slightly into the weed after the donk so the rig is on the edge of the clear spot gave more consistent takes . . .
In reply to Post #21
Yes the weed does shift about, it's why I gave up trying to clear channels for line to sit in, I also noticed both from cameras and from up trees that the fish found these channels first and followed them to the spot, which is great, but once you've had a run or decide to recast the line will rarely sit nicely in this channel, so now the fish are following the channel and hitting your lines, bye
So that's why I'll clear the channel beyond the spot, they approach from the other side and come across the bait before they hit the line. When the weed shifts an the top closes up they look like natural patrol routes. Use a bait that draws naturals as well and it can really kick off.
Have a spod to hand, one with holes in you can jam sticks in, a lot of weed you uproot but don't pull in will gas up and float after a while, the spod is like a big grappling hook and makes light work of this (also handy for drifting weedbergs in general)
I'll probably regret posting this when I can actually go fishing again
Yes the weed does shift about, it's why I gave up trying to clear channels for line to sit in, I also noticed both from cameras and from up trees that the fish found these channels first and followed them to the spot, which is great, but once you've had a run or decide to recast the line will rarely sit nicely in this channel, so now the fish are following the channel and hitting your lines, bye
So that's why I'll clear the channel beyond the spot, they approach from the other side and come across the bait before they hit the line. When the weed shifts an the top closes up they look like natural patrol routes. Use a bait that draws naturals as well and it can really kick off.
Have a spod to hand, one with holes in you can jam sticks in, a lot of weed you uproot but don't pull in will gas up and float after a while, the spod is like a big grappling hook and makes light work of this (also handy for drifting weedbergs in general)
I'll probably regret posting this when I can actually go fishing again
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