So, how best to get around this problem?
After loosing fish that I'm unable to free up that have wrapped themselves in or around heavy weedbeds and having to pull for a break - no boats, I thought I'd throw it out there and see how any of you guys have solved this problem.
Now I've been racking my brain to come up with a solution, but everything I think of has flaws. The best solution I can think of is to fish later on in the year when the weed [not eel grass but long stringy stuff that's like straight matted hair, well sort of.] Up until now I've been using mono leaders, helicopter rigs and Korda Heli Safe thingy.
The reason I prefer to use mono leaders is that if a fish goes into this type of weed and the line parts, unlike braid which if you chuck it in the edge, it looks like a certain death trap for a fish, mono would seem easier for a fish to escape. I'm still not sold on the Korda Heli Safe as if a fish gets stuck in weed and the lead falls of, how is the fish going to get off then line when the Heli Safe is next to its face and nothing to grip it and let it travel up the line and away safely, surely-ish a lead attached gives it more of a chance to get free?
What I suppose I'm looking for is something that cuts the weed -->braid<--? I've heard people mention braid cuts through stuff, is that right? As I've already said, I'm very reluctant to use braid as it looks deadly; bad enough loosing a spomb with braid, it's just a matted mess in the water and is deadly for anything that might get trapped in it.
There might be another solution, heavy line, like mono that I can get to float above the weed and is heavy enough to winch a fish in, say something that breaks at 30lb straight through?
I don't know, what do you guys think?
After loosing fish that I'm unable to free up that have wrapped themselves in or around heavy weedbeds and having to pull for a break - no boats, I thought I'd throw it out there and see how any of you guys have solved this problem.
Now I've been racking my brain to come up with a solution, but everything I think of has flaws. The best solution I can think of is to fish later on in the year when the weed [not eel grass but long stringy stuff that's like straight matted hair, well sort of.] Up until now I've been using mono leaders, helicopter rigs and Korda Heli Safe thingy.
The reason I prefer to use mono leaders is that if a fish goes into this type of weed and the line parts, unlike braid which if you chuck it in the edge, it looks like a certain death trap for a fish, mono would seem easier for a fish to escape. I'm still not sold on the Korda Heli Safe as if a fish gets stuck in weed and the lead falls of, how is the fish going to get off then line when the Heli Safe is next to its face and nothing to grip it and let it travel up the line and away safely, surely-ish a lead attached gives it more of a chance to get free?
What I suppose I'm looking for is something that cuts the weed -->braid<--? I've heard people mention braid cuts through stuff, is that right? As I've already said, I'm very reluctant to use braid as it looks deadly; bad enough loosing a spomb with braid, it's just a matted mess in the water and is deadly for anything that might get trapped in it.
There might be another solution, heavy line, like mono that I can get to float above the weed and is heavy enough to winch a fish in, say something that breaks at 30lb straight through?
I don't know, what do you guys think?
I'd agree regarding the helisafe. With the lead gone there is no way for the rig to slide up and off the broken line.
The flip side is that dropping the lead may encourage the fish to rise up above the weed - although I haven't personally found this to be true.
Can you find any clear spots/areas to fish?
The flip side is that dropping the lead may encourage the fish to rise up above the weed - although I haven't personally found this to be true.
Can you find any clear spots/areas to fish?
In reply to Post #1
How many fish have been wrapped up in the weed, when you say, after loosing fish your unable to free up, you've had to pull for a break? Are those fish now tethered, or don't you know?
How many fish have been wrapped up in the weed, when you say, after loosing fish your unable to free up, you've had to pull for a break? Are those fish now tethered, or don't you know?
In reply to Post #1
The best way to get around that problem is don't fish there, it's not safe to if you can't land fish safely. Hearing people say pulling for a break makes me cringe
The best way to get around that problem is don't fish there, it's not safe to if you can't land fish safely. Hearing people say pulling for a break makes me cringe
In reply to Post #1
If you can't find any clear spots could you use a weed rake to make your own spot?
Or used a load of particle to try get a spot cleared up.
If you can't find any clear spots could you use a weed rake to make your own spot?
Or used a load of particle to try get a spot cleared up.
In reply to Post #1
50lb power pro.
50lb power pro.
In reply to Post #4
100%
And no "winching" fish in.
100%
And no "winching" fish in.
If you use braid, you still need a mono/fluorocarbon leader or very well fixed tubing or you'll cut the fish to bits. So that's a leader knot or end of tubing to collect weed, as said losing the lead is a recipe for disaster too and most gadgets that allow it are magnets for more weed to collect.
No unselfish way to do it unfortunately but some sort of float to keep the line out of the water and going directly down to the rig will minimise the risk a little. As will terminal tackle that's as smooth as possible for weed to slide off. The real skill is knowing where and when it is safe to angle for fish, not having gear strong enough to skull drag them in.
You could intercept a fish on a patrol route and catch it in quick time with some thinking... or tether half a dozen and get lucky once or twice to feed the old ego with a photo
No unselfish way to do it unfortunately but some sort of float to keep the line out of the water and going directly down to the rig will minimise the risk a little. As will terminal tackle that's as smooth as possible for weed to slide off. The real skill is knowing where and when it is safe to angle for fish, not having gear strong enough to skull drag them in.
You could intercept a fish on a patrol route and catch it in quick time with some thinking... or tether half a dozen and get lucky once or twice to feed the old ego with a photo
In reply to Post #4
I would have to agree.
My default position is that if there are doubts in my mind of being able to land a fish safely and if there is any chance of causing it potential trauma or even danger then i won't fish there.
There's a lake that i fish fairly regularly and in one particular swim when the Pads are up this time of the year there is a lovely clear spot just bigger than a dustbin lid in one set of the Pads which can be viewed easily from the opposite out of bounds side of the lake.
The fish can be viewed regularly in there, it would require a very accurate cast and i reckon a bite would be guaranteed.
However it would be criminal to try and haul a fish through several sets of Pads between there and the net, so i choose never to fish the spot until later in the year when all the Pads have died right down.
The OP is right to bring this subject up for discussion as everyone has an opinion.
But for me im not a fish at any cost Angler and so in situations like he describes i choose not to fish there.
I would have to agree.
My default position is that if there are doubts in my mind of being able to land a fish safely and if there is any chance of causing it potential trauma or even danger then i won't fish there.
There's a lake that i fish fairly regularly and in one particular swim when the Pads are up this time of the year there is a lovely clear spot just bigger than a dustbin lid in one set of the Pads which can be viewed easily from the opposite out of bounds side of the lake.
The fish can be viewed regularly in there, it would require a very accurate cast and i reckon a bite would be guaranteed.
However it would be criminal to try and haul a fish through several sets of Pads between there and the net, so i choose never to fish the spot until later in the year when all the Pads have died right down.
The OP is right to bring this subject up for discussion as everyone has an opinion.
But for me im not a fish at any cost Angler and so in situations like he describes i choose not to fish there.
In reply to Post #4
Mate, it literally traumatizes me. I did go out swimming for it to try and untangle it from the weed, but I'm not the strongest swimmer and there was no-one around should I have got into trouble. As best as I tried, I just was never going to get that fish out.
Mate, it literally traumatizes me. I did go out swimming for it to try and untangle it from the weed, but I'm not the strongest swimmer and there was no-one around should I have got into trouble. As best as I tried, I just was never going to get that fish out.
In reply to Post #1
Use strong abrasion proof tackle, fish as close to the near bank as possible, that way, presentation is simply and less weed to play them through.
Rake some areas heavily, and bait with something cheap, pellets, various particle, maize, groats pigeon conditioner, let the birdlife, nuisance fish and carp thin it out for you.
Use strong abrasion proof tackle, fish as close to the near bank as possible, that way, presentation is simply and less weed to play them through.
Rake some areas heavily, and bait with something cheap, pellets, various particle, maize, groats pigeon conditioner, let the birdlife, nuisance fish and carp thin it out for you.
In reply to Post #3
Two fish. One fish had a leader on it, the one I went in for, the other didn't have a leader and snapped at the knot as best as I can make out, so just swimming around with a 5" rig.
Two fish. One fish had a leader on it, the one I went in for, the other didn't have a leader and snapped at the knot as best as I can make out, so just swimming around with a 5" rig.
Just to clear things up:
I had a fish a few weeks back out of the same swim that wasn't a great deal of trouble getting in, this time (1st fish) the weed must have gotten a load denser (couldn't see how thick due to the chop on the water and overcast on Friday Evening... rigs came back when plumbing so assumed all was good.
In total, 2 weeded fish, one hook pull and nothing landed on a difficult water this weekend. Where I was fishing this weekend is not worth the risk. I'm going fish the deep water where there's no weed as the safety of the fish come above all else, even if that means I don't catch a great deal, even at all.
I've not used those Korda Heli Safe things until recently and it's been playing on my mind a hell of a lot. I think for waters that have got bits of candy floss or the occasional bit of Canadian, that's ok, although, dropping any lead is not the one in my book as it's a deadly poisonous material. As for fish coming to the surface, I think that's a myth, though I'll gladly be proven wrong.
I'm sat here, just got home and I'm gutted. A hook pull I can handle, though it might have torn the mouth,.but a fish in weed, on a leader with one of those Heli Safe things, that messes my head up. Do think the fish was pulled tight to the back of the weedbed as it was taking line when the rod was left on the rest on a slack line. I just hope it's able to get rid of the leader.
I had a fish a few weeks back out of the same swim that wasn't a great deal of trouble getting in, this time (1st fish) the weed must have gotten a load denser (couldn't see how thick due to the chop on the water and overcast on Friday Evening... rigs came back when plumbing so assumed all was good.
In total, 2 weeded fish, one hook pull and nothing landed on a difficult water this weekend. Where I was fishing this weekend is not worth the risk. I'm going fish the deep water where there's no weed as the safety of the fish come above all else, even if that means I don't catch a great deal, even at all.
I've not used those Korda Heli Safe things until recently and it's been playing on my mind a hell of a lot. I think for waters that have got bits of candy floss or the occasional bit of Canadian, that's ok, although, dropping any lead is not the one in my book as it's a deadly poisonous material. As for fish coming to the surface, I think that's a myth, though I'll gladly be proven wrong.
I'm sat here, just got home and I'm gutted. A hook pull I can handle, though it might have torn the mouth,.but a fish in weed, on a leader with one of those Heli Safe things, that messes my head up. Do think the fish was pulled tight to the back of the weedbed as it was taking line when the rod was left on the rest on a slack line. I just hope it's able to get rid of the leader.
We're all the result of our experience so here's mine, apologies for the length. I've been fishing 1 water predominantly now for around 8 years...because I like it. It does however have dense Japanese Lillies from bank to around 20' out where the waters too deep for it. This isn't the thickest in strands but get a few together and your in real trouble. The pegs are usually clear in front but to the sides...hmmm. As ip100 said, if it's not safe to fish then don't, fish at all costs does have implications.
Get you rig/lead set up as streamlined as possible, if the weed can get a grip on anything it will. Inline leads, drop off probably preferable, barbless hooks. I wouldn't use braid though it would make sense but if a fish were to roll on it, it could be a disaster. I did use to fish tubing above the lead but now I don't. Fish tight lines, your asking for trouble giving anything away to weed. I also wouldn't go over 15lb line, if your pulling for a break you don't want to make it that difficult. Get the fishes head up as soon as possible, it's much easier to pull through at the top than at the bottom, apply steady pressure especially when snagged, often the fishes movements on a tight line will help to free it. If badly snagged and unsure of the fish being on give it some line and wait, not enough for it to plough further away though. As the weed travels toward the Carp I've often found it covers the head and the Carp goes docile, often it's on even though you'd swear it wasn't.
Inevitably you will have to pull for a break, it's bound to happen and using barbless means the fish may get off more easily before you do this. This season I've seen fish stuck on a single strand of weed no more than 6 feet out in 2' of water, they just roll off the hook, nice to see.
As a back story and I'm sure the owner won't mind me posting this. The fishery in question opened as a day ticket but was soon shut. A chap lost a load of fish to the weed so came back with what the owner described to me as 50lb class sea line when he checked. He decided to haul the fish through the weed, the results were and for the fish still are horrific. I still catch fish damaged by that bloke every now and then, the only plus is that they can still feed and albeit slowly are putting on weight, I feel so sorry for them though :-(
Get you rig/lead set up as streamlined as possible, if the weed can get a grip on anything it will. Inline leads, drop off probably preferable, barbless hooks. I wouldn't use braid though it would make sense but if a fish were to roll on it, it could be a disaster. I did use to fish tubing above the lead but now I don't. Fish tight lines, your asking for trouble giving anything away to weed. I also wouldn't go over 15lb line, if your pulling for a break you don't want to make it that difficult. Get the fishes head up as soon as possible, it's much easier to pull through at the top than at the bottom, apply steady pressure especially when snagged, often the fishes movements on a tight line will help to free it. If badly snagged and unsure of the fish being on give it some line and wait, not enough for it to plough further away though. As the weed travels toward the Carp I've often found it covers the head and the Carp goes docile, often it's on even though you'd swear it wasn't.
Inevitably you will have to pull for a break, it's bound to happen and using barbless means the fish may get off more easily before you do this. This season I've seen fish stuck on a single strand of weed no more than 6 feet out in 2' of water, they just roll off the hook, nice to see.
As a back story and I'm sure the owner won't mind me posting this. The fishery in question opened as a day ticket but was soon shut. A chap lost a load of fish to the weed so came back with what the owner described to me as 50lb class sea line when he checked. He decided to haul the fish through the weed, the results were and for the fish still are horrific. I still catch fish damaged by that bloke every now and then, the only plus is that they can still feed and albeit slowly are putting on weight, I feel so sorry for them though :-(
Thanks Vossy for the post
When it comes to line diameter/breaking strain, I don't know what the best answer is. They're all deadly to one degree or another. Say for instance that there's a weakness just above your reel and you're fishing at 100 yards and there's no weed, just the line parts, whatever the strength line you're using is, that's 100 yards of line a fish is dragging about. I do think that braid is a death sentence in this regard.
The safest I can think of - please correct me as you see fit and have a better alternative -- obviously don't fish a water with any dense weed - is mono straight through (depending on sharp bars or muscle beds) and a helicopter/chod setup with the lead tied directly to the line.
Barbless hooks, I don't know. I'm sure it's been debated on here before: I'm of the opinion that a barbless has the potential to cause mouth damage, though equally, a fish with a barbed hook that's stuck and rips it's face to pieces as Vossy has illustrated could well be much worse?
Only recently have I been using leaders, not so much for range but to help stopping the line from being chaffed as I'd noticed that the weed has a gritty texture to it, the reason for the grit? Maybe the grit is anything suspended in the water column that gets trapped in the weed, like a sort of filter medium.
When it comes to line diameter/breaking strain, I don't know what the best answer is. They're all deadly to one degree or another. Say for instance that there's a weakness just above your reel and you're fishing at 100 yards and there's no weed, just the line parts, whatever the strength line you're using is, that's 100 yards of line a fish is dragging about. I do think that braid is a death sentence in this regard.
The safest I can think of - please correct me as you see fit and have a better alternative -- obviously don't fish a water with any dense weed - is mono straight through (depending on sharp bars or muscle beds) and a helicopter/chod setup with the lead tied directly to the line.
Barbless hooks, I don't know. I'm sure it's been debated on here before: I'm of the opinion that a barbless has the potential to cause mouth damage, though equally, a fish with a barbed hook that's stuck and rips it's face to pieces as Vossy has illustrated could well be much worse?
Only recently have I been using leaders, not so much for range but to help stopping the line from being chaffed as I'd noticed that the weed has a gritty texture to it, the reason for the grit? Maybe the grit is anything suspended in the water column that gets trapped in the weed, like a sort of filter medium.