After a bit of advice. My water has always had a shock/snag leader ban, only leaders currently allowed are lead free, fused, or fluorocarbon rubbing leaders up to a metre long, or rig tubing.
The lake bed is absolutely littered with stones, rocks, bricks etc, but never really been a problem for the last 25 or so years since the syndicate was formed.
However, this year as the level has dropped (public water supply reservoir, currently 21ft down on full level) it has become apparent that in the last 12 months, the place has become absolutely colonised by billions and billions of zebra mussels!
I’m already predicting if the rules stay the same, there will be lots of lost fish early doors next year through cut offs.
I’m also predicting (just a hunch) that there may be a rethink in the rules for next season, allowing the use of leaders to help combat the predicted losses.
What kind of leader material would be best equipped to deal with the zebras? Braid, mono, or fluorocarbon? We may not get to choose from those options and it may be enforced as only one of them, so I’d like to be ready prepared in my mind for what to suggest to the syndicate leader and the pro’s and cons of each option, before he makes his own decision with no input from any of the members.
Thanks in advance.
The lake bed is absolutely littered with stones, rocks, bricks etc, but never really been a problem for the last 25 or so years since the syndicate was formed.
However, this year as the level has dropped (public water supply reservoir, currently 21ft down on full level) it has become apparent that in the last 12 months, the place has become absolutely colonised by billions and billions of zebra mussels!
I’m already predicting if the rules stay the same, there will be lots of lost fish early doors next year through cut offs.
I’m also predicting (just a hunch) that there may be a rethink in the rules for next season, allowing the use of leaders to help combat the predicted losses.
What kind of leader material would be best equipped to deal with the zebras? Braid, mono, or fluorocarbon? We may not get to choose from those options and it may be enforced as only one of them, so I’d like to be ready prepared in my mind for what to suggest to the syndicate leader and the pro’s and cons of each option, before he makes his own decision with no input from any of the members.
Thanks in advance.
In reply to Post #1
The lake I fish for cats is littered with both zebra and swan mussels and there are so many fish trailing round lines is crazy at times. Mainly under gunned carp anglers hooking the cats. You'll need something very strong, I have the korda 60lb snag leaders on my rods and haven't had a problem so far. It's very strong stuff. Sounds ott but I personally wouldn't go any lighter than that
The lake I fish for cats is littered with both zebra and swan mussels and there are so many fish trailing round lines is crazy at times. Mainly under gunned carp anglers hooking the cats. You'll need something very strong, I have the korda 60lb snag leaders on my rods and haven't had a problem so far. It's very strong stuff. Sounds ott but I personally wouldn't go any lighter than that
In reply to Post #1
Personally I'd be thinking more in terms of getting your lines away from the boulders/zebras, fishing lines high, and if that's not enough fishing floats along the lines to keep it above it, ala snag fishing on big ressies in France etc.
Personally I'd be thinking more in terms of getting your lines away from the boulders/zebras, fishing lines high, and if that's not enough fishing floats along the lines to keep it above it, ala snag fishing on big ressies in France etc.
In reply to Post #3
Not sure lines high in the water is really doable a lot of the time where I fish. 2ft high waves and undertow being problematic, along with sailing boats during most days. Already have the tips up about 4ft above the water, with the rods out in the lake, trying to keep as much line off the bottom as possible. Birdlife can be a pain also, flying into lines etc lol 😂
Not sure lines high in the water is really doable a lot of the time where I fish. 2ft high waves and undertow being problematic, along with sailing boats during most days. Already have the tips up about 4ft above the water, with the rods out in the lake, trying to keep as much line off the bottom as possible. Birdlife can be a pain also, flying into lines etc lol 😂
In reply to Post #2
The swan mussel numbers are right down this year and the ones we do see, are absolutely covered in zebras hitching a ride! I feel like it’s the grey squirrel, red squirrel scenario playing out underwater and wouldn’t be surprised if they get completely overwhelmed by next year!
The swan mussel numbers are right down this year and the ones we do see, are absolutely covered in zebras hitching a ride! I feel like it’s the grey squirrel, red squirrel scenario playing out underwater and wouldn’t be surprised if they get completely overwhelmed by next year!
In reply to Post #5
Such a shame as they will impact the Swan Mussel numbers, sometimes massively.
Always used .40 mono on the reels which handled them for me along with a meter of tubing. I fish close in so if they were really bad I'd rake the area. I tried if possible to keep the fish in the upper layers when playing them.
Leader ban on my waters so can't help with that, best of luck with it, 21 ft down is an eye-opener.
Such a shame as they will impact the Swan Mussel numbers, sometimes massively.
Always used .40 mono on the reels which handled them for me along with a meter of tubing. I fish close in so if they were really bad I'd rake the area. I tried if possible to keep the fish in the upper layers when playing them.
Leader ban on my waters so can't help with that, best of luck with it, 21 ft down is an eye-opener.
In reply to Post #6
21-22ft down is an average year tbh. Not allowed to pump in from the river between May-October and even then have to wait for the first floods to wash downstream, taking all the pesticides with it before putting the pumps on. Saw it 25ft down a couple of years ago, but 21-22ft is average for this time of year. Acreage is 287 when full, probably currently 150 odd?
21-22ft down is an average year tbh. Not allowed to pump in from the river between May-October and even then have to wait for the first floods to wash downstream, taking all the pesticides with it before putting the pumps on. Saw it 25ft down a couple of years ago, but 21-22ft is average for this time of year. Acreage is 287 when full, probably currently 150 odd?
In reply to Post #7
Twice as easy as normal, then.
Twice as easy as normal, then.
Kryston Ton Up (85lb braided leader) / 0.40 mainline. . ?
Only prob is what ever the scenario you are limited to using 1m, which means unless your fishing bow-string tightlines and oversize leads at short to medium range some of your mainline is going to be in amongst the mussells . . .maybe consider a solar line biter / plastic bottle rainbow style to keep your mainline out of the water / directly above the offending area . . ?
Only prob is what ever the scenario you are limited to using 1m, which means unless your fishing bow-string tightlines and oversize leads at short to medium range some of your mainline is going to be in amongst the mussells . . .maybe consider a solar line biter / plastic bottle rainbow style to keep your mainline out of the water / directly above the offending area . . ?