Currently fishing a heavily stocked water with way too many small fish (carp only in the water). It's due to be netted this Winter which should help but in the meantime I'd be curious to hear any suggestions for a tactic to target the bigger fish in this scenario. I've had bigger fish by using single baits away from heavily baited areas. Obviously I can just use bigger baits which is the next step but any other tips? Cheers.
I think you may have answered your own question. Big snowman.
In reply to Post #1
All depends on the lake in question. But try spread your free bait to a wider circumference from where you marker is. Also try fishing longer links. Be bold. Try using 10 - 12” links. You won't catch as many. But you may pick up the bigger ones.
All depends on the lake in question. But try spread your free bait to a wider circumference from where you marker is. Also try fishing longer links. Be bold. Try using 10 - 12” links. You won't catch as many. But you may pick up the bigger ones.
In reply to Post #1
If it fishes well on the surface you can select the bigger fish on top, otherwise fishing the bottom rigs like hinged stiff and bigger baits like you have tried can often select the bigger fish. Also often bigger fish can be more solitary and will feed just off baited spots whilst the smaller ones move in or in the margins, also avoid high attract and sweet hookbaits, nice dark coloured fishmeal, liver based baits can be worth a try.
If it fishes well on the surface you can select the bigger fish on top, otherwise fishing the bottom rigs like hinged stiff and bigger baits like you have tried can often select the bigger fish. Also often bigger fish can be more solitary and will feed just off baited spots whilst the smaller ones move in or in the margins, also avoid high attract and sweet hookbaits, nice dark coloured fishmeal, liver based baits can be worth a try.
In reply to Post #1
Have you tried moving into closed off swims? Apparently it's the way forward for those big fish captures....
Have you tried moving into closed off swims? Apparently it's the way forward for those big fish captures....
In reply to Post #1
In reply to Post #1
I fished a prolific water a few years ago and baited areas would produce run after run but the wily old'uns would come to a single boilie fished right in the edge, under the rod tips with no freebies. On busy waters everyone winds in to rebait, pulls the old boilie off the hair, gives it a sniff, and lobs it in the edge. The more cautious fish must be wise to finding single baits right in the edge. I would try to replicate this with washed out baits, or even half baits fished under the tips, and it was noticeable that this tactic would pick out a far better average size of fish.
I fished a prolific water a few years ago and baited areas would produce run after run but the wily old'uns would come to a single boilie fished right in the edge, under the rod tips with no freebies. On busy waters everyone winds in to rebait, pulls the old boilie off the hair, gives it a sniff, and lobs it in the edge. The more cautious fish must be wise to finding single baits right in the edge. I would try to replicate this with washed out baits, or even half baits fished under the tips, and it was noticeable that this tactic would pick out a far better average size of fish.
In reply to Post #7
In reply to Post #8
Many many years ago (early '80's) I used to fish a reservoir in Devon that pleasure anglers would fish during the day, standing in the shallow margins. Once they had packed up and gone home in the evening you could see the carp move right into the edge and feed on whatever bait had been dropped in a foot and a half of water. It was SO exciting to fish a couple of grains of corn on a tiny link leger fished just where the anglers had been standing all day! A hooked fish would tear out of the margins with a huge bow wave and a screaming reel.
Many many years ago (early '80's) I used to fish a reservoir in Devon that pleasure anglers would fish during the day, standing in the shallow margins. Once they had packed up and gone home in the evening you could see the carp move right into the edge and feed on whatever bait had been dropped in a foot and a half of water. It was SO exciting to fish a couple of grains of corn on a tiny link leger fished just where the anglers had been standing all day! A hooked fish would tear out of the margins with a huge bow wave and a screaming reel.