If you turn up at a lake and find some fish showing themselves do you cast straight out at them and if so what methods do you use and what if you don't feel the lead down? Do you reel in and try again or would you have a lead around first with the chance of spooking the fish away.
In reply to Post #1
Personally I'd be casting a mesh bag at them and making sure I feel the led down. Having to do it twice will most likely spook them but better than the rig not fishing
Personally I'd be casting a mesh bag at them and making sure I feel the led down. Having to do it twice will most likely spook them but better than the rig not fishing
In reply to Post #1
All depends on lots of things, previous reaction to a lead , play it by ear.
All depends on lots of things, previous reaction to a lead , play it by ear.
In reply to Post #1
My preference is for a small solid bag, then even if you don't get a good drop it's worth leaving out for an hour or so. Minimum disturbance with a rig that's almost certainly fishing.
My preference is for a small solid bag, then even if you don't get a good drop it's worth leaving out for an hour or so. Minimum disturbance with a rig that's almost certainly fishing.
In reply to Post #4
Exactly what I do. Every cast increases the chance of moving them on.
Exactly what I do. Every cast increases the chance of moving them on.
If the lakes weedy and your activity moving onto showing fish regularly without knowing what your fishing over then chods or hinge rigs are great as you will be presented well most of the time. If possible cast well over the showing fish and retrieve the lead back into the area and feel it down miles better than crashing a lead right into them. At the end of a session get a lead rod out and see what they were showing over and look for spots. Mark down tree line markers and wraps to the spot you have identified. Next time if they show in similar spots your well prepared to cast out to a presentable spot with minimum of disturbance.
Some good points there, all noted thanks guys 
also depends on how they are showing.
If they're up top in the water I'll always try a bit of float fished bread to tempt them - creates less noise than a lead dropping through the swim. caught some good fish with a chunk of warburtons
If they're up top in the water I'll always try a bit of float fished bread to tempt them - creates less noise than a lead dropping through the swim. caught some good fish with a chunk of warburtons
In reply to Post #8
Yeah good point, I never though of that.
Yeah good point, I never though of that.
In reply to Post #9
Bread bomb goes out well
Bread bomb goes out well
In reply to Post #1
How are they showing? Are they obviously feeding in one area and staying put or are they on the move?
If they're in one area then I would generally fish as light lead as possible to get a bait to them, if I don't know the bottom then I might put a very small PVA bag on the hook just to hopefully make sure that it settles well. If I know the bottom is clear then hookbait only or just a few baits fired out with a catapult or thrown out.
If they are moving then try to anticipate where they are heading and their try to ambush them on the way or set up where you think they'll end up. This method has the advantage that you can get some bait out before they get there.
This assumes that they are likely to be feeding on the bottom. Obviously if they're on the surface or mid water then floaters or zigs might be a better option.
How are they showing? Are they obviously feeding in one area and staying put or are they on the move?
If they're in one area then I would generally fish as light lead as possible to get a bait to them, if I don't know the bottom then I might put a very small PVA bag on the hook just to hopefully make sure that it settles well. If I know the bottom is clear then hookbait only or just a few baits fired out with a catapult or thrown out.
If they are moving then try to anticipate where they are heading and their try to ambush them on the way or set up where you think they'll end up. This method has the advantage that you can get some bait out before they get there.
This assumes that they are likely to be feeding on the bottom. Obviously if they're on the surface or mid water then floaters or zigs might be a better option.
In reply to Post #1
A simple rig with a small PVA bag attached has caught me many a bonus carp when they have stuck their heads out.
A simple rig with a small PVA bag attached has caught me many a bonus carp when they have stuck their heads out.
In reply to Post #1
I chuck a chod at them.
I chuck a chod at them.
In reply to Post #13
+1 - Chuck a chod with as small a lead as I can get away with... especially at patches of bubbles.
Accounted for a lot of fish for me
+1 - Chuck a chod with as small a lead as I can get away with... especially at patches of bubbles.
Accounted for a lot of fish for me
In reply to Post #1
I always fish a small PVA bag to showing fish and feel the lead down. I tend to tie a few at home with leaders ready to attach to the main line and cast out straight away.
I always fish a small PVA bag to showing fish and feel the lead down. I tend to tie a few at home with leaders ready to attach to the main line and cast out straight away.