A massively unused tactic in my approach. Some waters prohibit it which doesn't help. I'm looking at improving this area of my game. Any tips, advice on techniques, tackle, approach, etc?
In reply to Post #1
To be honest these days most venues be it day ticket, syndicate are pretty busy all the time so repeated casting effects all on the lake. So you can understand why some places don't want it as you have to remember your sharing a lake and we all want to get on & catch fish.
Though if you are looking for tips just do a search on google or YouTube loads of good videos to be found.
To be honest these days most venues be it day ticket, syndicate are pretty busy all the time so repeated casting effects all on the lake. So you can understand why some places don't want it as you have to remember your sharing a lake and we all want to get on & catch fish.
Though if you are looking for tips just do a search on google or YouTube loads of good videos to be found.
In reply to Post #1
I am by no stretch of the imagaination a good surface angler, but a few tips of what I've learned over the years.
As hookbait, I use a pop up chopped down to look like a mixer as they stay on the hook longer than a mixer. I usually use a bright coloured one so you can visually see it compared to a mixer hen it's on the surface.
Small hook, size 10, with the hookbait attached via a bait band (easier than faffing around with a hair rig).
5 foot long hooklink, I use Drennan double strength.
I use Fox bolt bubble floats which the hooklink swivel plugs into a rubber sleeve which fixes the float.
Make sure all your line floats.
If you're having difficulty with ducks and gulls nicking your mixers, try spombing them out instead of catapulting.
Find the fish and get em going first before you put your hookbait in.
Rod, reel and line - use the lowest test curve rod you have with a nice thru action (I use 2lb t.c.), 8 or 10lb line on whatever reel you normally use.
Strike when you see your bait taken, not too early!! Or if you're lucky enough, fish may hook themselves with the bolt bubble.
Basic stuff I know, but it's a start for you. Good luck and be prepared to be frustrated!!
I am by no stretch of the imagaination a good surface angler, but a few tips of what I've learned over the years.
As hookbait, I use a pop up chopped down to look like a mixer as they stay on the hook longer than a mixer. I usually use a bright coloured one so you can visually see it compared to a mixer hen it's on the surface.
Small hook, size 10, with the hookbait attached via a bait band (easier than faffing around with a hair rig).
5 foot long hooklink, I use Drennan double strength.
I use Fox bolt bubble floats which the hooklink swivel plugs into a rubber sleeve which fixes the float.
Make sure all your line floats.
If you're having difficulty with ducks and gulls nicking your mixers, try spombing them out instead of catapulting.
Find the fish and get em going first before you put your hookbait in.
Rod, reel and line - use the lowest test curve rod you have with a nice thru action (I use 2lb t.c.), 8 or 10lb line on whatever reel you normally use.
Strike when you see your bait taken, not too early!! Or if you're lucky enough, fish may hook themselves with the bolt bubble.
Basic stuff I know, but it's a start for you. Good luck and be prepared to be frustrated!!
In reply to Post #1
Perserverance, theres a reason not many floater fish, it takes a element of skill and crap anglers are lazy buggers at the best of times, your get strange looks funny comments just keep doing your thing
Perserverance, theres a reason not many floater fish, it takes a element of skill and crap anglers are lazy buggers at the best of times, your get strange looks funny comments just keep doing your thing
In reply to Post #2
Absolutely! Everything is on YouTube and it's a bit ironic given some of the conversation on another post, but this is why there's a forum, right! And one of the reasons I like this forum as there's a lot of knowledgeable, experienced anglers on here that help, share and impart with their wisdom.
Absolutely! Everything is on YouTube and it's a bit ironic given some of the conversation on another post, but this is why there's a forum, right!
And one of the reasons I like this forum as there's a lot of knowledgeable, experienced anglers on here that help, share and impart with their wisdom.
In reply to Post #3
I may have dreamt this but is Vaseline rubbed on the hook length good for keeping the line on the surface?
I may have dreamt this but is Vaseline rubbed on the hook length good for keeping the line on the surface?
In reply to Post #6
Yes, vaseline would work as would the greases sold for fly fishing, but it's usually better to have the last 12" sinking. Perseverance is the key, I spend a lot more time watching and feeding than actual fishing.
Yes, vaseline would work as would the greases sold for fly fishing, but it's usually better to have the last 12" sinking. Perseverance is the key, I spend a lot more time watching and feeding than actual fishing.
In reply to Post #2
I'm no expert, but take a range of different hooklink diameters, hook sizes, float sizes and bait sizes. Various things work on one day and don't the next, get them feeding with some degree of confidence before you put a rig in will make life a bit easier.
I'm no expert, but take a range of different hooklink diameters, hook sizes, float sizes and bait sizes. Various things work on one day and don't the next, get them feeding with some degree of confidence before you put a rig in will make life a bit easier.
In reply to Post #8
I think he's saying it's banned on some places, and explaining why that maybe.
I think he's saying it's banned on some places, and explaining why that maybe.
In reply to Post #1
Braided mainline . . .if you can use it. Floats without constant management, better hooking ratio on takes = more fun!
Braided mainline . . .if you can use it. Floats without constant management, better hooking ratio on takes = more fun!
In reply to Post #1
Vaseline or similar rubbed on the line Ive always found attracts debris from water surface.
Prefer to use a decent floating line and keep it clean.
I've had some fish take hookbait floater as soon as its hit the water, so the saying build their confidence first didn't apply, as was cast to where I thought fish were, didn't actually see fish first.
As mentioned, just keep going and practice.
Getting the hookbait balance, how it appears to the carp in my opinion is paramount.
I've blanked for hours lots of times until I've made a change that was acceptable to the carp.
They ate freebies, ignored hookbait sort of thing.
Vaseline or similar rubbed on the line Ive always found attracts debris from water surface.
Prefer to use a decent floating line and keep it clean.
I've had some fish take hookbait floater as soon as its hit the water, so the saying build their confidence first didn't apply, as was cast to where I thought fish were, didn't actually see fish first.
As mentioned, just keep going and practice.
Getting the hookbait balance, how it appears to the carp in my opinion is paramount.
I've blanked for hours lots of times until I've made a change that was acceptable to the carp.
They ate freebies, ignored hookbait sort of thing.
If there's room for a cast, you can't beat the presentation with a fly rod.
Not many fish ignore simple free lined bread, it'll even catch fish in the sea ffs
Not many fish ignore simple free lined bread, it'll even catch fish in the sea ffs
In reply to Post #12
Absolutely
The one single bait that will catch anything anytime. Tricky with the ducks but worth the nuisance.
A quid for lovely afternoon fishing. Can't go wrong
Lots of good advice here. Don't overthink things. You'll have a great time if the fish are up in the water.
Absolutely
The one single bait that will catch anything anytime. Tricky with the ducks but worth the nuisance.
A quid for lovely afternoon fishing. Can't go wrong
Lots of good advice here. Don't overthink things. You'll have a great time if the fish are up in the water.
In reply to Post #10
1OO% Braid mainline , cut down cell popups are good 2
1OO% Braid mainline , cut down cell popups are good 2
I love floater fishing, very exciting, perhaps my favourite tactic. I use a hooklink about 5-6', just pull the line off strecthing my arms outwide. Until a few years ago I'd never used a dedicated hooklink, just mainline, but these days I'm using 15lb Fox Zig/Float line, I did try the 12lb but it snapped on me a couple of times and that was that. As for making it float a quick rub of the finger behind the ear or on the nose usually does the trick. Never used small hooks for FF still using some of the original Fox Series hooks from the 90's, size 6 or 8, nice finer wire hook.
As for bait, I have found that particularly cagey fish will struggle with a very buoyant bait due to the way they try and mouth it 1st, top lip very low on the water so in general I prefer a lower sitting bait whatever that may be. I have tried cut down cell pop ups, very effective, Enterprise artificial dog biscuits (which I now don't use as I don't like to lose artificials) and mostly Tesco Dry Dog mixer food, lots of different shapes to keep the fish guessing that bit longer.
As for bait, I have found that particularly cagey fish will struggle with a very buoyant bait due to the way they try and mouth it 1st, top lip very low on the water so in general I prefer a lower sitting bait whatever that may be. I have tried cut down cell pop ups, very effective, Enterprise artificial dog biscuits (which I now don't use as I don't like to lose artificials) and mostly Tesco Dry Dog mixer food, lots of different shapes to keep the fish guessing that bit longer.