So, what do we prefer?
Strike when the bait disappears, or wait for the float to start moving off?
Light inconspicuous old skool Drennans, or heavy inline floats for hooking? (if distance wasn't a factor)
Does anyone still use the Gardner suspender float to good effect?
Does anyone use braided mainline?
Does hook size really matter?
Any tips or tricks?
Strike when the bait disappears, or wait for the float to start moving off?
Light inconspicuous old skool Drennans, or heavy inline floats for hooking? (if distance wasn't a factor)
Does anyone still use the Gardner suspender float to good effect?
Does anyone use braided mainline?
Does hook size really matter?
Any tips or tricks?
In reply to Post #1
Rarely use a float, freeline or fly fish.
Rarely use a float, freeline or fly fish.
In reply to Post #1
Candle for me....
it used to be back in the day anyway. Great controls didn't mind losing them ether. Great for close in work..
At distance it used to be the old anchored crust fished paternoster style with tight lines and wait for the old spool to spin. Great way to fish. You had to get it right as they were a bugger for tangles and getting the crust to pop up.
These days I use a fox bubble float though I do have a couple Drennan controllers but prefer me inline bubble float. As for when to strike I'm far to inpatient to wait for the float to move as soon as that fish mouths the hook bait the rod is behind my ear. Some you win some you lose. Floater fishing is angling in its purest form you against the fish one on one, love it.
As for hook size always to match the size of the bait your fishing with. Line nylon all the way.
Can you still buy them Gardner suspender floats. They always looked a bit cumbersome to me along with that beach caster rig..
Tips and tricks.. yes, try fishing a water with no bird life...
Candle for me....
it used to be back in the day anyway. Great controls didn't mind losing them ether. Great for close in work..At distance it used to be the old anchored crust fished paternoster style with tight lines and wait for the old spool to spin. Great way to fish. You had to get it right as they were a bugger for tangles and getting the crust to pop up.
These days I use a fox bubble float though I do have a couple Drennan controllers but prefer me inline bubble float. As for when to strike I'm far to inpatient to wait for the float to move as soon as that fish mouths the hook bait the rod is behind my ear. Some you win some you lose. Floater fishing is angling in its purest form you against the fish one on one, love it.
As for hook size always to match the size of the bait your fishing with. Line nylon all the way.
Can you still buy them Gardner suspender floats. They always looked a bit cumbersome to me along with that beach caster rig..
Tips and tricks.. yes, try fishing a water with no bird life...
In reply to Post #1
My eyesight is not good enough to watch the bait.
Is the Gardner suspender the black polyball and the black stem? If so I have one of those but never got around to using it, were they any good?
My eyesight is not good enough to watch the bait.
Is the Gardner suspender the black polyball and the black stem? If so I have one of those but never got around to using it, were they any good?
In reply to Post #1
Freeline if it's close enough, a controller if not, I actually like the Nash Bolt machine, but as a Nash tackle hater I'm not allowed to say that...
Most of the time I wait until the fish turns and takes line, no need to strike but occasionally there are times when you have to strike as soon as they extend their lip over the bait.
My usual hook size is a size 10 Super Specialist, but I do also use Korda Longshanks, and Solar 101's.
As for bait, Bakers Complete Dog food, the big squares are hookbaits, the others are freebies, or whatever dry dog food Sky is on if they float.
Freeline if it's close enough, a controller if not, I actually like the Nash Bolt machine, but as a Nash tackle hater I'm not allowed to say that...
Most of the time I wait until the fish turns and takes line, no need to strike but occasionally there are times when you have to strike as soon as they extend their lip over the bait.
My usual hook size is a size 10 Super Specialist, but I do also use Korda Longshanks, and Solar 101's.
As for bait, Bakers Complete Dog food, the big squares are hookbaits, the others are freebies, or whatever dry dog food Sky is on if they float.
In reply to Post #2
Snap
extremely intensive fishing going for them on the Fly, I enjoyed it so much last year I've just treated myself to a purpose built #10 Fly Rod.
Snap
extremely intensive fishing going for them on the Fly, I enjoyed it so much last year I've just treated myself to a purpose built #10 Fly Rod.
In reply to Post #5
I use the bakers too, but usually a couple within a mesh bag of mixers, with a trimmed down pop up as hookbait I think they sit lower in the water compared to a mixer and the pop-up, so it keeps them guessing.
I use the bakers too, but usually a couple within a mesh bag of mixers, with a trimmed down pop up as hookbait I think they sit lower in the water compared to a mixer and the pop-up, so it keeps them guessing.
Tesco mixed dog biscuits for me, pick out the Chum type ones for hookers, top with a bit of DNA PB stick if having trouble seeing it.
Controller, enough to get the distance req but not used for hooking unless at range.
Always site strike, don't wait for the line or float to move normally. Just don't see the need to give the fish any time to eject the bait.
Thinking of trying some of those inline Bombardia egg type with tails/inline floats. Always used ESP or Fox but changed to the Fox zig line for hook link a few years ago and find it more prone to tangles using standard floats....we'll see.
Controller, enough to get the distance req but not used for hooking unless at range.
Always site strike, don't wait for the line or float to move normally. Just don't see the need to give the fish any time to eject the bait.
Thinking of trying some of those inline Bombardia egg type with tails/inline floats. Always used ESP or Fox but changed to the Fox zig line for hook link a few years ago and find it more prone to tangles using standard floats....we'll see.
Has anyone else found the old ESP controllers to be less buoyant than before? I used to put an anti tangle sleeve through the eye with a swivel jammed in, but the last few I've bought won't handle it.
Given the choice I'd rather fish beach caster style, ducks leave it alone then
In reply to Post #10
Beachcaster all day long . . .
1 - You can fish multiple rods
2 - Birdlife leave your hookbaits and freebies alone
3 - Carp cannot brush the line leading to the controller / hooklink to hookbait and spook
4 - If you fish a hair you can 'dapple' the hookbait with the hook itself being suspended above the water line
5 - You can be selective about what fish takes your bait by simply turning the spool and lifting it from the water without making a massive disturbance
Saying that I do like to fish a traditional controller on waters that haven't been raped on the top - braided mainline wherever allowed and a soft rod
Beachcaster all day long . . .
1 - You can fish multiple rods
2 - Birdlife leave your hookbaits and freebies alone
3 - Carp cannot brush the line leading to the controller / hooklink to hookbait and spook
4 - If you fish a hair you can 'dapple' the hookbait with the hook itself being suspended above the water line
5 - You can be selective about what fish takes your bait by simply turning the spool and lifting it from the water without making a massive disturbance
Saying that I do like to fish a traditional controller on waters that haven't been raped on the top - braided mainline wherever allowed and a soft rod
In reply to Post #11
Do you mind explaining how you set this up? Thanks
Do you mind explaining how you set this up? Thanks
In reply to Post #12
Sent you a PM so as not to bore everyone else - you owe me a £tenner!
Sent you a PM so as not to bore everyone else - you owe me a £tenner!
In reply to Post #9
I've noticed this. This is possibly the only ESP product that I have bought and thought was crap. Not fit for purpose as it does tend to sink with the addition of any weight at all.
I've noticed this. This is possibly the only ESP product that I have bought and thought was crap. Not fit for purpose as it does tend to sink with the addition of any weight at all.
I've been using the fox bubble float which works great. I generally have found its best to just leave it untill the float moves. If I strike when I see the bait taken my conversion rate has been awful, this has been fishing for smaller carp though 8lb ish, which can be a bit skitty.
I've noticed carp going for the bubble float far more often than the hookbaits though, I'm on the look out for some small clear plastic balls to try use as a hookbait.
I've noticed carp going for the bubble float far more often than the hookbaits though, I'm on the look out for some small clear plastic balls to try use as a hookbait.