I've done something for years that I didn't really realise. I spend a chunk of money on a syndicate that I practice on. It's actually the best use of money.
As it's not super tricky and with good size fish in - it's amazing how you can gain confidence in all manner of things to take onto a new water. I'm still yet to crack zigs but pretty much every time I go - I am refining bits from indicators, to bait, strategies etc.
It got me thinking that unlike most sports and pastimes we don't really focus on practice and trying things as time on main waters is so precious.
Last weeks experiment was weird back leading - akin to the washing line method but with the line in the water - drastically changing line angles - I certainly learnt it was a good plan - however the indication left a lot to be desired - refined for tomorrow- so do you practice and if so do you do it away from your main water or are you happy to experiment on the job'
In reply to Post #1
Commercials are great for experimenting or refinement. Wouldn't dream of doing it on my club waters due to the risk of it backfiring, as tried and tested methods could mean fish on the bank rather than wasting opportunities because you're half arsing an idea you had.
Overdepth zigs in the margins for wary pasties was a great example. It caught me fish, but I had far more rejections that I would have done if I had fished conventionally.
As for backleads, I hate the things.
Commercials are great for experimenting or refinement. Wouldn't dream of doing it on my club waters due to the risk of it backfiring, as tried and tested methods could mean fish on the bank rather than wasting opportunities because you're half arsing an idea you had.
Overdepth zigs in the margins for wary pasties was a great example. It caught me fish, but I had far more rejections that I would have done if I had fished conventionally.
As for backleads, I hate the things.
In reply to Post #1
My whole fishing is practice imo. I have been fishing elstow for a few years and learning and practicing lots ready to tackle my next water chimneys. That is a water you can't practice on lol but the practice on a lake 1 3rd the size helps me in my head
My whole fishing is practice imo. I have been fishing elstow for a few years and learning and practicing lots ready to tackle my next water chimneys. That is a water you can't practice on lol but the practice on a lake 1 3rd the size helps me in my head
In reply to Post #1
I used to be a member of FMS in Suffolk who had a few waters, and one of them was a water that I would use to experiment on, rigs, lead set-ups, leadcore, baits etc.
It was nearly always good for a few fish even in freezing cold winters.
Things learnt on this water means I am happy to take my methods onto my main water, even now years later.
I did experiment with backleading, and like you I found indication was reduced, and unpredictable.
I found in most situations that running leads with slack lines gave best indication, semi-fixed leads and helicopter set-ups gave reduced indication, and could lead to 'missed' fish, even more so at longer range.
I used to be a member of FMS in Suffolk who had a few waters, and one of them was a water that I would use to experiment on, rigs, lead set-ups, leadcore, baits etc.
It was nearly always good for a few fish even in freezing cold winters.
Things learnt on this water means I am happy to take my methods onto my main water, even now years later.
I did experiment with backleading, and like you I found indication was reduced, and unpredictable.
I found in most situations that running leads with slack lines gave best indication, semi-fixed leads and helicopter set-ups gave reduced indication, and could lead to 'missed' fish, even more so at longer range.
In reply to Post #4
I backlead everywhere I can and have special ones I made and think I have refined as much as possible - I will take the reduction in indication for getting lines out the way. The experiment last week was back leading at very different angles - on one rod, casting across and placing in - then back leading back to margin and tightening so I created a v I had 3 takes, all landed and two were brilliant drop backs - the other did three laps of the lake, the funky pigeon and the 100 metre sprint befor the line picked up....
I backlead everywhere I can and have special ones I made and think I have refined as much as possible - I will take the reduction in indication for getting lines out the way. The experiment last week was back leading at very different angles - on one rod, casting across and placing in - then back leading back to margin and tightening so I created a v I had 3 takes, all landed and two were brilliant drop backs - the other did three laps of the lake, the funky pigeon and the 100 metre sprint befor the line picked up....
In reply to Post #1
Always good for the confidence if your able to try different ideas, I am fortunate that I have a number of lakes where I'm able to experiment.
Always good for the confidence if your able to try different ideas, I am fortunate that I have a number of lakes where I'm able to experiment.
In reply to Post #4
FMS??
FMS??
In reply to Post #7
FMS
Fishery Management Services
FMS
Fishery Management Services
In reply to Post #8
Ahhh ok
Ahhh ok
I back lead if fishing close in say upto about 50 yards if there is no weed and the bottom Is flat then after that I use semi slack upto about 80 yards (tighten up to the lead then peel off about 6/7 foot) then tight lines all the way after that
I will say on one water I fish the regulars never use back leads always seem to refuse to use them they was picking up a couple fish here and there but since I've been on there using back leads I've seemed to do really well using them, maybe it's me pinning my like out the way either way I'll always use them on there
I will say on one water I fish the regulars never use back leads always seem to refuse to use them they was picking up a couple fish here and there but since I've been on there using back leads I've seemed to do really well using them, maybe it's me pinning my like out the way either way I'll always use them on there
In reply to Post #10
There are drawbacks with backleads but I think the good bits far outweigh them.
On one of my lakes certain spots fish so differently from different swims - so my latest practice has been to see if I can change the line lay drastically to create a grazing area - similar to an underwater ‘washing line'.
I also only fish days after November and on this water when casting super tight to features them are invaluable in not getting wiped out.
There are drawbacks with backleads but I think the good bits far outweigh them.
On one of my lakes certain spots fish so differently from different swims - so my latest practice has been to see if I can change the line lay drastically to create a grazing area - similar to an underwater ‘washing line'.
I also only fish days after November and on this water when casting super tight to features them are invaluable in not getting wiped out.