Feeding for a bite

[TF_moto46]

Fished a local commercial today and it was extremely difficult fishing, probably not helped by all the water pumps going full pelt since I arrived!

Anyway only ended up with a couple of small perch and packed up early. My question is when the fishing is so hard and you are literally fishing for a bite how do you feed, if at all? and what methods would you use?

I fished a waggler at 20mtrs tried all depths light line 0.09 and very small hook sz 20. Single maggot and feeding 3 or 4 maggots every 2nd cast but still couldnt get the fish going?

Maybe should have tried a lead or packed up earlier!

I know for sure next time the pumps are going I will not bother

[FORDY 1Participant]

Best way on an open water lake is just use a bomb with hairigged double corn or meat,cast around a bit and leave it in for 20mins.feed nothing!

[Anonymous]

Hair rigged corn, popped up bread or dead red maggot on the hook. Feed nothing! Location is everything in winter. Find the fish and it can be a bite every chuck. So, as suggested. Casting around is often the best approach on lakes and feed nothing. Also, be patient and dont be in a rush to cast around and find the fish. Dont be to quick to reel in if you dont get a bite after 5 minutes. Watch your tip for liners that can show that there are fish in your area. 15 minutes between each cast is about right in my opinion.

[TF_moto46]

Cheers guys will try your methods next time I am in that unfortunate position!

[TF_tony csas]

where did you fish moto

[yorkiboy]

I would use the cone method because I don’t think that you can catch fish without feeding. Use the smallest you can find.

[TF_ross m]

what i would do is feed a very tiny amount at the start then just wait, there is no put feeding any more bait un less you have had an indercation because 9 out 10 times the bait you put down at the start is still there

[TF_moto46]

tony – it was at Cobbleacre near Norwich as I say it never fishes well when the pumps are going, it was slightly annoying as the ice was all gone and it really ruined the fishing~think

I was debating on casting a lead to an island which leads to the question of could the fish of been in the shallow water against the island or in the deeper water out in the open?

I suppose I would have had the answer trying the lead just thought a waggler past the pole line could have worked due to fairly clear and cold water

[TF_Gary]

If the fish are out of pole range, straight lead and hair-rigged meat is the best method for me (punched meat, not cubes).

If the fish are within pole range, I would either fish hair-rigged meat over 4 or 5 pellets or single maggot over 4 or 5 maggots. I would not feed again until I have caught a fish. If I didn’t catch one, I would try a different spot (without feed at first).

[TF_Tim_D]

I was always under the illusion that you had to feed to catch fish but I fished a match on sunday at a local commericial which has every species in it and never fed a single thing. I’ve tried to do it in the past but you always end up feeding something when you sat their for hours biteless! Anyway back to the match, i fished 8mm popped up bread 6″ off bottom towards the island but in the deeper water as the water is clear. You do have to watch your tip like a hawk because any indications gives the hope and it then just a matter of time before the tip pulls round. Spend 10 min at a time in different spots looking for liners, as it turned out i caught 4 carp and 2 barbel, and i have all my bite and liners in the same place. A change to 3 floating maggots popped up brought 2 carp in 2 chucks and that was the end of the match, 26lb and 2nd place. Now i have the confidence to fish a match without feeding. As it happens the guy next to me fished a maggot feeder and never had a bite all day. Winter fishing is all about patetience and being in the right spot!

[TF_ndm3108]

Always keep an open mind when approching any match. You may think that the waggler will be better but in reality the lead might be right for the day, I’ve had plenty of days where I have been able to catch on the waggler but not the lead and vice versa.
I believe that the air pressure has more to do with what depth you’ll find the fish than water temp, I’ve caught tight against isands on the coldest of days, and not had a bite when its warmer but then found them down the shelf instead.
Location is the big thing, if you find where the fish are you can catch all day without feeding, but if your not on the fish I believe that you need to feed something to draw the odd fish in. If I have the space I will always feed one line very positively becuase sometimes the fish will respond to this, on the other lines I would feed very small amounts and guage the response before considering feeding a load more.

[TF_Gary]

Nick, just out of interest, what do you class as feeding a line “very positively”? I assume you mean ‘positive for winter’, and not dumping in two pots full of pellets!

[dazaster1Participant]

There is an article in this months Match Fishing Mag by will Raison where he covers the very subjuect worth a read really good article.~clap

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