What Is A Groundbait Feeder?Another phrase used is ‘open-ended feeder’ and that best describes what it is. Unlike a block-end feeder for maggot fishing, a groundbait feeder (usually) has both ends open and groundbait is used to carry the feed into the swim. As you can see on this page, there are many different types […]

Ali Hamidi talks through setting up a rig that will keep your bait visible when the autumn leaves are falling into the water. It’s getting to that time of year when bottom debris on lakes will increase as the leaves drop from trees and the rainfall increases. For many of you, your fishing will be […]

Three top UK anglers reveal their favourite mixes covering commercial and natural stillwaters, and fishing for barbel on rivers. Alex Bones Alex Bones, Dynamite BaitsWithout a doubt, the best type of mix to use when targeting commercials is a crushed pellet/fishmeal-based groundbait.On waters where they’re allowed, you’ll usually find that pellets are the number one […]

Short hook links are traditionally fished as part of a semi-fixed set-up, and that normally means The Method. But what if the venue you want to fish has banned the tactic? Well, there’s always an inline groundbait feeder. The inline feeder has some advantages over a normal feeder in that the reel line passes along […]

Plastics And Jellies It’s a modern world, so we’d better look at a selection of new-world lures, including lead-loaded rubber imitations and soft plastic grubs. Storm Thundercore SquirterThis little beauty has been described as “brilliant” by tcf editor Gareth Purnell. Its downward pointing vein tells you immediately that it’s for shallow water work. It has a thin […]

Shallow And Deep Divers A look at some of the bright and beautiful plugs you can buy, and what they will do to catch you more fish. tcf Top TipA floating plug with a long, straight vein is a deep divers when retrieved, whereas a plug with a downward pointing vein will be a shallow […]

Spoons And Spinners Here’s tcf’s guide to the various pieces of metalwork on the market designed to catch more fish. Blade SpinnersThese have a metal blade that revolves around a central shaft, creating a flash of colour and a fish-attracting vibration that can be felt right through the rod as it is retrieved. The shaft […]

Surface SizzlersSeven styles of top-water lure to help you enjoy some explosive predator action. CrawlerPictured is the Heddon Crazy Crawler, an all-time American classic, with a red head and flexible front fins that create havoc, throwing water all over the place as the lure effectively swims (or crawls) across the surface. One of the easiest […]

What’s The Best Type Of Lure For Perch?To tackle shallow water venues a small spinner is ideal. There are many makes on the market, such as the Mepps patterns and the Rapala Blue Fox Vibrax lures, that can be fished up to depths of four feet. Perch are inquisitive creatures and will react to the […]