On a calm day, controller float, banded dog biscuit and catapult a few dog biscuits. No problem catch plenty of carp.
However today wasn't calm. side wind but still very hot and the carp were milling around the top and taking the biscuits.
As the float and line were being dragged everywhere and presentation was impossible I switched to an adjustable zig set up and used a small 10mm pop up that I raised so it was just touching the surface.
Lots of carp were having a go at it but couldnt seem to suck it in. only caught 2 but it should have been a dozen at least. Was it to buoyant? The dog biscuits take on a bit of water so must have a bit of weight that makes it easier for the carp to suck them in.
What bait could I use in this situation? Using a dog biscuit would mean having to cast the adjustable zig float to many times.
Any ideas anyone?
However today wasn't calm. side wind but still very hot and the carp were milling around the top and taking the biscuits.
As the float and line were being dragged everywhere and presentation was impossible I switched to an adjustable zig set up and used a small 10mm pop up that I raised so it was just touching the surface.
Lots of carp were having a go at it but couldnt seem to suck it in. only caught 2 but it should have been a dozen at least. Was it to buoyant? The dog biscuits take on a bit of water so must have a bit of weight that makes it easier for the carp to suck them in.
What bait could I use in this situation? Using a dog biscuit would mean having to cast the adjustable zig float to many times.
Any ideas anyone?
In reply to Post #1
when i fish this method I drag a 15mm trimmed down corkball about an inch under the surface and fish it as a normal adjustable zig and hit any movement on the bobbin
when i fish this method I drag a 15mm trimmed down corkball about an inch under the surface and fish it as a normal adjustable zig and hit any movement on the bobbin
In reply to Post #2
Thanks for the reply I'll give it a go. Do you hair rig the cork?
Thanks for the reply I'll give it a go. Do you hair rig the cork?
In reply to Post #1
Try giving them a bit of rope to hang themselves. Lay the bait on the surface with a good few inches of line behind. Might find you convert more.
Try giving them a bit of rope to hang themselves. Lay the bait on the surface with a good few inches of line behind. Might find you convert more.
well 57 years ago ! pre floater days in 1967 I was catching carp on breadcrust quite well 
and after a while I started having problems the carp were bashing the very big lumps I was having to use to freeline cast in those days and eating the smaller bits
and so I decided to make A DEYCOY RIG I slid a big chunk of crust on the line and a couple of leger stops to stop it sliding down then about 5 inches and tied a 6 hook with some bread paste moulded on the hook and a small split shot to make sure in hung below the floating crust
oh boy DID that work
I was back catching better than before
Maybe you can come up with a modern version
and after a while I started having problems the carp were bashing the very big lumps I was having to use to freeline cast in those days and eating the smaller bits
and so I decided to make A DEYCOY RIG
I slid a big chunk of crust on the line and a couple of leger stops to stop it sliding down then about 5 inches and tied a 6 hook with some bread paste moulded on the hook and a small split shot to make sure in hung below the floating crust oh boy DID that work
I was back catching better than before Maybe you can come up with a modern version
In reply to Post #1
Use your controller and banded biscuit with a lead to hold it in place like your zig set up but with float and bait on the surface. You won't hook ‘em all but use the bolt rig type controller and it will help. I hope this makes sense.
Use your controller and banded biscuit with a lead to hold it in place like your zig set up but with float and bait on the surface. You won't hook ‘em all but use the bolt rig type controller and it will help. I hope this makes sense.
In reply to Post #6
Yes makes perfect sense. Hadn't considered trying it that way. Thanks
Yes makes perfect sense. Hadn't considered trying it that way. Thanks
We're you using floating mainline by any chance? I used it for the 1st time last week and I've got to say the jury is very much out, I think I prefer sinking, as in standard 12lb sensor in my case. The waters surface moves far faster than even a inch below and the floating line was getting blown unaturally, constant mending required. Yes the sinking line can draw the line toward you, but that's much the lesser of 2 evils from what I saw.
Overbuoyant hookbaits, common prob floater fishing, fish seem to be able to spot them really easily, espesh if caught on surface baits frequently. I was trying a new hookbait last week, DNA stick pieces instead of a biscuit, the fish knew it. I did that as the wind was making it difficult to see the biscuit as it took on water. I reverted back to my normal method in that situation, a biscuit but with a sight topper on, a thin sliver of bright yellow or black stick. I prefer a soggy biscuit about to sink v a new one.
Re the pop up zig style, as mentioned over depth it, you could also try making it less buoyant, put a shot under it, substitute some normal boilie etc.
A modern version of Gerrys bread rig but not often used by normal Carp anglers though very common on the match circuit, maggot feeder floats & feeder floats. A float with either a maggot cage built in under it or a feeder cage/vane, the bait suspended underneath at whatever depth you like. That method is absolutely deadly, it was banned on a lot of waters when it came out. It's a modern version of fishing a shallow hookbait while spraying in whatever.
Overbuoyant hookbaits, common prob floater fishing, fish seem to be able to spot them really easily, espesh if caught on surface baits frequently. I was trying a new hookbait last week, DNA stick pieces instead of a biscuit, the fish knew it. I did that as the wind was making it difficult to see the biscuit as it took on water. I reverted back to my normal method in that situation, a biscuit but with a sight topper on, a thin sliver of bright yellow or black stick. I prefer a soggy biscuit about to sink v a new one.
Re the pop up zig style, as mentioned over depth it, you could also try making it less buoyant, put a shot under it, substitute some normal boilie etc.
A modern version of Gerrys bread rig but not often used by normal Carp anglers though very common on the match circuit, maggot feeder floats & feeder floats. A float with either a maggot cage built in under it or a feeder cage/vane, the bait suspended underneath at whatever depth you like. That method is absolutely deadly, it was banned on a lot of waters when it came out. It's a modern version of fishing a shallow hookbait while spraying in whatever.
In reply to Post #6
Had quite a few fish on that set up fishing open water. My current water is a bit weedy for that set up, so made up a couple of over sized "pellet wagglers" from marker floats with lead wire wrapped around the base and covered with heat shrink. The bait still floats up but allows you to over cast and wind back sinking the line.
Had quite a few fish on that set up fishing open water. My current water is a bit weedy for that set up, so made up a couple of over sized "pellet wagglers" from marker floats with lead wire wrapped around the base and covered with heat shrink. The bait still floats up but allows you to over cast and wind back sinking the line.
In reply to Post #1
Do what I do - cheat and use the beachcaster method. Takes the stress out of mending line all the time / scares the wildlife away / means you can use two rods at multiple ranges.
I like to use a 12" 20lb stiff fluro hooklink (especially when there's a side wind) to mitigate any chop on the water surface and keep the hookbait at the perfect 'suspended level' in the water . . .
Do what I do - cheat and use the beachcaster method. Takes the stress out of mending line all the time / scares the wildlife away / means you can use two rods at multiple ranges.
I like to use a 12" 20lb stiff fluro hooklink (especially when there's a side wind) to mitigate any chop on the water surface and keep the hookbait at the perfect 'suspended level' in the water . . .