In reply to Post #7
Personally think the key is to get them feeding confidently first and foremost prior to lobbing anything out
This is the really important bit.
I'd agree on most waters, but sometimes the first or only bait out there needs to be the hookbait.
I've fished a few lakes, been hidden in undergrowth, put a few mixers out, the carp take one or two and then disappear totally. No chance to even cast your hookbait out.
On these lakes, put a hookbait out first and you might get one.
As for the knotless knot, I've tried tying the hook on, and having the hair 'spring' down from the knot tag end, and because there is a short length of hooklink submerged it doesn't look so obvious to fish (I think).
I know it works for me with carp and chub, and means that I can tie a new hooklink a little bit easier when I'm stupid enough to drop one over a branch and snap off. (And yes I recover it later, or let the bailiff know)
The most entertaining way of floater fishing, is when I can get them feeding at my feet, using a centre pin and the bait just touching the surface hanging straight off the rod tip.
No matter how big or small the carp, that gives a real adrenaline shot...
Personally think the key is to get them feeding confidently first and foremost prior to lobbing anything out
This is the really important bit.
I'd agree on most waters, but sometimes the first or only bait out there needs to be the hookbait.
I've fished a few lakes, been hidden in undergrowth, put a few mixers out, the carp take one or two and then disappear totally. No chance to even cast your hookbait out.
On these lakes, put a hookbait out first and you might get one.
As for the knotless knot, I've tried tying the hook on, and having the hair 'spring' down from the knot tag end, and because there is a short length of hooklink submerged it doesn't look so obvious to fish (I think).
I know it works for me with carp and chub, and means that I can tie a new hooklink a little bit easier when I'm stupid enough to drop one over a branch and snap off. (And yes I recover it later, or let the bailiff know)
The most entertaining way of floater fishing, is when I can get them feeding at my feet, using a centre pin and the bait just touching the surface hanging straight off the rod tip.
No matter how big or small the carp, that gives a real adrenaline shot...
Hi all,
I'm back into fishing after around 25 years, and I still cant believe how much it has changed...
I'd been searching for carp forums that have regular posters and posts, with a better level of angler than myself (easily done!), hence why I'm here. And reading the majority of the posts, it's great to see how into their fishing people are on here.
I'm making way more mistakes than I thought I would when fishing, but I'm enjoying it so much. I have a young son, so I am only getting out around twice a month, and that is for around five hours a time.
Surface floater fishing is for me one of the most exciting ways to fish.
Issues I've faced so far with surface fishing are:
01) Buoyancy of hook bait.
02) Whether it is better for the hook to sit above or below the bait.
03) Seeing hook bait (related to buoyancy)
04) A fairly consistent bait to keep going with on the surface
I'm slightly ashamed to say I've been doing too much of a deep dive into floater fishing paraphernalia, and bought most of the options available. Especially the options from ESP such as floating dog biscuits, mini mixers and imitation bread.
Morrisons white toastie bread has been the best bait so far.
My thoughts on whether the fish are taking the hook bait confidently enough to get hooked or not, is just based purely from viewing what's in front of me when fishing. How the hook bait reacts differently to the free offerings - sits differently and when investigated has subtle movement differences. I don't think colour effects things, but I could easily be wrong.
This thread, and the similar one titled: “Surface Fishing”, and “Surface fishing - hook size” have been truly fascinating. It feels great to be surrounded by people that want to know more, and also to share. I've learnt a lot already.
Next time I go out for a surface session I am going to try just a single bait with no free offerings. A big piece of crust.
As I said, I am trying out lots of different things, and my purchase this week is: Dynamite Baits Big Fish Floating Durable Hookbaits, Flavour: Sweet Tiger, Colour: Yellow.
I will let you know how I go with this.
I'm back into fishing after around 25 years, and I still cant believe how much it has changed...
I'd been searching for carp forums that have regular posters and posts, with a better level of angler than myself (easily done!), hence why I'm here. And reading the majority of the posts, it's great to see how into their fishing people are on here.
I'm making way more mistakes than I thought I would when fishing, but I'm enjoying it so much. I have a young son, so I am only getting out around twice a month, and that is for around five hours a time.
Surface floater fishing is for me one of the most exciting ways to fish.
Issues I've faced so far with surface fishing are:
01) Buoyancy of hook bait.
02) Whether it is better for the hook to sit above or below the bait.
03) Seeing hook bait (related to buoyancy)
04) A fairly consistent bait to keep going with on the surface
I'm slightly ashamed to say I've been doing too much of a deep dive into floater fishing paraphernalia, and bought most of the options available. Especially the options from ESP such as floating dog biscuits, mini mixers and imitation bread.
Morrisons white toastie bread has been the best bait so far.
My thoughts on whether the fish are taking the hook bait confidently enough to get hooked or not, is just based purely from viewing what's in front of me when fishing. How the hook bait reacts differently to the free offerings - sits differently and when investigated has subtle movement differences. I don't think colour effects things, but I could easily be wrong.
This thread, and the similar one titled: “Surface Fishing”, and “Surface fishing - hook size” have been truly fascinating. It feels great to be surrounded by people that want to know more, and also to share. I've learnt a lot already.
Next time I go out for a surface session I am going to try just a single bait with no free offerings. A big piece of crust.
As I said, I am trying out lots of different things, and my purchase this week is: Dynamite Baits Big Fish Floating Durable Hookbaits, Flavour: Sweet Tiger, Colour: Yellow.
I will let you know how I go with this.
In reply to Post #32
Welcome back!
Here's my personal preferences after 25 years of floater fishing...
01) Buoyancy of hook bait.
I think a cut down pop up hair rigged fairly tight to the shank is a great option, and the best in terms of longevity of the hookbait and hooking potential. . I fish this within a mixture of different buoyancy items (Cat biscuit, Chum Mixer, and Bakers Small Dog). In my eyes, the different shapes and sizes makes them move confident. Some sit lower in the water, some lay flat as they are more disc shaped. People love to strike when floater fishing, but if they are feeding that confidently, a big inline controller float (2oz+) will make sure that hook gets buried. I love the Bug Pop Ups as they can be squared off into a shape not too dissimilar from the oily Bakers Small Dog bites.
02) Whether it is better for the hook to sit above or below the bait.
I'd say 99% of floater anglers prefer the latter. When the fish sucks that hookbait in and turns, I want that hook to feel the weight of the controller as the hook buries itself into the bottom lip.
03) Seeing hook bait (related to buoyancy)
I often fish at around 70 yards+ with single pop ups. I will catapult baits close in and let the wind drift the mixers across the pond. A great way of locating a group of fish! However, whilst the mixers are drifting across, i'll cast just before showing fish and let the wind drift it over the top of them. If the hooking arrangement is good and the fish feel confident, there's no need to strike. I guess you could use a bright bait different to your free offerings, or you could (for example) cut the top off a 18mm dark pop up and the top of a 18mm white pop up and add the white bit to the dark pop up, so you have a sight bob. Never done it though, never felt the need but it's something i'll try if I need to strike wary bites.
04) A fairly consistent bait to keep going with on the surface.
As you said, bread is brilliant but I only use crust at very short range. Hair rigged pop ups will never have that "what if?" element when casting at distance. The only time you'll lose it is during the fight. The same can't be said for many other hookbaits. They are far more versatile and adaptable compared to bog standard mixer, bread or these overpriced hookable floaters which sink/disintegrate after a short period.
The good thing about my approach is you only have to change the controller based on the distance fishing. If you turn up to a lake with just a couple of 5g controllers and a loaf of bread and they are showing at 70 yards then you're at a disadvantage as bread alone won't cut the mustard in them situations. Prepare for distance work for wary fish and it'll make everything else far easier.
Welcome back!
Here's my personal preferences after 25 years of floater fishing...
01) Buoyancy of hook bait.
I think a cut down pop up hair rigged fairly tight to the shank is a great option, and the best in terms of longevity of the hookbait and hooking potential. . I fish this within a mixture of different buoyancy items (Cat biscuit, Chum Mixer, and Bakers Small Dog). In my eyes, the different shapes and sizes makes them move confident. Some sit lower in the water, some lay flat as they are more disc shaped. People love to strike when floater fishing, but if they are feeding that confidently, a big inline controller float (2oz+) will make sure that hook gets buried. I love the Bug Pop Ups as they can be squared off into a shape not too dissimilar from the oily Bakers Small Dog bites.
02) Whether it is better for the hook to sit above or below the bait.
I'd say 99% of floater anglers prefer the latter. When the fish sucks that hookbait in and turns, I want that hook to feel the weight of the controller as the hook buries itself into the bottom lip.
03) Seeing hook bait (related to buoyancy)
I often fish at around 70 yards+ with single pop ups. I will catapult baits close in and let the wind drift the mixers across the pond. A great way of locating a group of fish! However, whilst the mixers are drifting across, i'll cast just before showing fish and let the wind drift it over the top of them. If the hooking arrangement is good and the fish feel confident, there's no need to strike. I guess you could use a bright bait different to your free offerings, or you could (for example) cut the top off a 18mm dark pop up and the top of a 18mm white pop up and add the white bit to the dark pop up, so you have a sight bob. Never done it though, never felt the need but it's something i'll try if I need to strike wary bites.
04) A fairly consistent bait to keep going with on the surface.
As you said, bread is brilliant but I only use crust at very short range. Hair rigged pop ups will never have that "what if?" element when casting at distance. The only time you'll lose it is during the fight. The same can't be said for many other hookbaits. They are far more versatile and adaptable compared to bog standard mixer, bread or these overpriced hookable floaters which sink/disintegrate after a short period.
The good thing about my approach is you only have to change the controller based on the distance fishing. If you turn up to a lake with just a couple of 5g controllers and a loaf of bread and they are showing at 70 yards then you're at a disadvantage as bread alone won't cut the mustard in them situations. Prepare for distance work for wary fish and it'll make everything else far easier.
In reply to Post #32
Floater cake may be worth a look too.
Floater cake may be worth a look too.
In reply to Post #33
Hey Aidey,
Thank you mate!
I really appreciate your feedback below, and to have 25 years of floater fishing experience is awesome. You must have had a lot of fun.
And thanks for the suggestion of mixing up of pet foods - that will be great for different sizes, colours and textures.
On one of the lakes I fish there are some ok sized carp but so many smaller carp of 3 or 4 lb that just attack most free offerings. This occasionally help the bigger carp to be more confident, but is definitely an issue to get through.
I think reading your suggestion of catapulting baits close in and letting them drift, while casting a single hook bait just before showing fish and let that single hook bait drift near.
Thanks again Aidey for sharing your knowledge.
Hey Aidey,
Thank you mate!
I really appreciate your feedback below, and to have 25 years of floater fishing experience is awesome. You must have had a lot of fun.
And thanks for the suggestion of mixing up of pet foods - that will be great for different sizes, colours and textures.
On one of the lakes I fish there are some ok sized carp but so many smaller carp of 3 or 4 lb that just attack most free offerings. This occasionally help the bigger carp to be more confident, but is definitely an issue to get through.
I think reading your suggestion of catapulting baits close in and letting them drift, while casting a single hook bait just before showing fish and let that single hook bait drift near.
Thanks again Aidey for sharing your knowledge.
A good surface fishing podcast I found:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/flota-rota-oli-davies-tom-forman-nash-off-the-hook/id1459281010?i=1000615555656
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/flota-rota-oli-davies-tom-forman-nash-off-the-hook/id1459281010?i=1000615555656