Tips/Tactics | river-lea-ac

TIPS AND TACTICS

Best Groundbaits: Continental style groundbaits for slow or stillwaters (mix as dry as possible to create attractive cloud or very wet create a small bottom carpet in your swim). For breadpunch fishing, a 50/50 mix of white and brown crumb mixed just wet enough to hold together before exploding into a cloud upon hitting the water. Important Rule: Feed little and often to build up your swim and keep the fish competing

Best Loosefeed: Depending on what hookbait you are using, loosefeed a small pinch of the same bait with each cast to build your swim and get the fish competing (Maggots, Pinkies, Casters, Hemp). If using the pole with chopped worm then cup in your feed every 30 minutes or so. If bites slow down then reduce the amount or frequency of your loosefeeding

Best Tip: Start fishing fishing with terminal tackle as light as possible (i.e. mainline 2.5 to 3lb, hooklengths 1 to 1.5lbs, hook sizes 18 to 22). If you start catching a better stamp of fish and are worried that your tackle is too light, you can always beef it up slightly

Best Areas: Anywhere from the near margin to the far bank margin. Start off down the centre track but also feed areas on the nearside and far-side margin’s, as these will often produce better sized fish which are more wary and hold off the main shoal. Try to fish near features (i.e. moored boats, over hanging trees/bushes, lily pads) Plumb your depth carefully and start off fishing on the bottom. if your not getting bites with your hookbait on the bottom then adjust your depth. Sometimes fish will sit anywhere between bottom to just under the surface depending on temperatures, weather conditions and if they are competing for the loose-feed bait.

Handy Tip: Always try to sink your line to avoid your rig being pulled out of position by the wind surface tow. When you cast your float out, as it hits the surface sink the tip of your rod slightly in the water and give a couple of quick turns on your reel. This will help to sink the line just under the water surface and help avoid your float being pulled out of position by wind tow.

Best Methods: Float Fishing or Legering Best Baits: Casters, Medium/Large Worms, Breadflake, Sweetcorn, Boilies, Pellets

Best Groundbaits: Continental styles either neat or with added mix of brown or white crumb with a few hookbait samples mixed in. Do not mix the groundbait to a hard consistency as it will take too long to break down in the slow moving water. If targeting carp, then try a fishmeal based groundbait to suit the pellet/boilie hookbait

Best Tips: Obviously when targeting larger specimens you will need to beef up your terminal tackle. When fishing for Bream, Tench, Perch or Chub, use stronger lines (4-5lb) and bigger hook sizes (12-16) to suit the larger hookbaits. Fishing specifically for carp is a different approach altogether. Some carp run up to 30lbs in weight, so 2-3lb test curve rods, minimum 10lb reel line, hook sizes 6-12 and pva bags for loosefeed are more suitable

Best Areas: Bream and Tench will generally prefer the deeper centre track but will also be found by features such as moored boats and overhanging trees. Chub will generally be found close to overhanging trees/shrubs or under far bank features. Perch will be found anywhere and especially where small silver fish are feeding. The large carp are quite nomadic but if you target feature areas such as fishing tight to moored boats, overhanging trees and lily pads then its a good bet that at some stage they will be in the area

Handy Tip: If you want to target the specimens then try pre-baiting a specific area. Walk the river and find a few likely looking features. Pick areas that are not overfished, which may mean walking more a lot further than the nearest area from where your car is parked. Feed a small amount of loosefeed to the spots where you intend to fish. Don't over-bait, a couple of handfuls of pellets, boilies, sweetcorn or a few balls of groundbait with hookbait samples is enough. Carry out this exercise every couple of days for a week or two before you intend to fish. Make you sure you get to your chosen swim early.