Newbie Questions

[TF_b00mzxParticipant]

Hi all, I wondered whether some members might be able to answer a couple of questions for me that I can’t seem to find the answer to online after todays frustrating session at my local lake… I have only been fishing for a couple of weeks so please be nice lol….

1. I have a 12′ Shimano rod but cant seem to cast any further than about a rod length away from using a standard float setup (4xBB shot?). Ive tried having 2xBB shot either side of the flor and the remaining 2xBB along the line to hep the line sink etc but it doesn’t seem to make much difference. BTW I am usually using corn with size 12 hooks on a 5lb hook length combined with a 6lb mainline. Can anybody help me out as I’d like to be able to reach about another 5 feet out reliably, not just on the odd occasion.

2. How do you go about deciding which float is best, I understand the logic behind standard stick floats and inset tipped ones, but what about how long a float you use as some are short, others not so. Will this effect the casting difference (see above question).

3. Finally, today I was first to the lake at 6.30am to get my usual peg which has performed well since I begun the sport. By dinner I packed up to move pegs after only catching one average sized roach all morning! This afternoon up until 4pm I only had two bites…. Speaking with a more experienced angler, he claims all the fish move to a certain end of the lake “at this time of year” and there did seem to be people catching as opposed to other anglers who were at my original end in the morning, is this likely to be true or am I right in thinking i’m just doing something wrong?

4. Is there any way to stop a standard stick float from being pulled under by the current? I’m plumbing the depth each time I change strings, it seems ok near the margin but as soon as I get anywhere over 5 foot, the float tip occasionally sinks to just below the surface as though i’m getting bites but i’m not???

I appreciate all the help you can offer!

Cheers…

[TF_morris1985]

Hi mate firstly welcome

Right lets see if we can help!
Firstly your problems with casting! If it was me and as it seems that your targeting silvers rather than carp at the moment I’d look firstly at your your float I’d be using a drennan loaded crystal waggler at around the 2g size this will aid you to cast your float beyond your rod I’d lock it in to place with float rubber stops rather than shot! And what you can do then is place your shot further down your liner nearer your hook or use lots of small shot spread out in 4″ intervals this will allow your bait to fall more natural through the water column
Meaning that with fish like roach you can catch in the drop! You only want about 1″ of the float tip sticking out of the water so that you can read bites !
As for the float moving with the tow of the water the only way to get through this is to use a heavier float with more shot down the line to hold the float stable what you can do in this situation is fish a couple of inch over depth with all your shot resting on the bottom to anchor it down to the bottom it’s a learning curve and don’t be afraid to ask other anglers what there doing mate and talk to the lads in the tackle shop for advice on what to buy if there any good they will put you right good luck and keep us posted how you get one mate

[TF_caught any mateParticipant]

get yourself some good 5lb line maybe maxima or power max,load the spool of your reel to the lip under slight pressure,when setting up your rod make sure the guides are lined up straight.
Set the float up as Morris1985 says,or have most of the locking shot (75%) around the float.When you cast,pick a marker on the far bank,one hand around the reel the other at the rod butt,the float approx 2ft from the rod tip,in one smooth motion (no need to force) let the float swing behind you bringing the rod forward let go of the line at 12 O;clock position.
Get in the garden and practice,it will certainly make your fishing more enjoyable.
To combat the tow you need a longer float,and sink your mainline,the easiest way i find is to attach some sponge to my rod rest,wet it put washing up liquid on,cast to the maximum distance,and reel in slowly making sure the line runs over the sponge.Do this every now and then and the line will sink every time out of the way of any wind and will aid your presentation.
Good luck and keep at it.

[TF_caught any mateParticipant]

Sorry,i forgot to add,after the cast put the rod tip underwater and a quick flick upwards will see your line sink.

[Anonymous]

A waggler float with a shoting capacity of 4BB is quite large and should be large enough to cast a good distance. This suggests that you need more line on your reel.

Also consider the size of fish you expect to catch. A thinner, lighter main line such as 4lb breaking strain. This will cast better than 5lb strengh main line. A lighter hook length will in many cases also increase the number of bites you get. This is especially true when targeting silver fish such as roach, perch and bream. A 3lb hook length is still quite strong and should give you a chance of landing any larger type fish such as carp or tench. Its just about taking your time and having the reels cluch do most of the work.

Shot the float with one BB shot above the float and 2BB and number 6 or 4 on the other side of the float to lock the float to the main line. A couple of number 8 shot spread equally down the line to the hook. This set up gives a natural fall of your hook bait. In this case, corn. Corn is a heavy bait and so falls quite fast to the bottom of the lake. So, no need for any fancy shoting patterns. This shoting pattern also gives you the best shoting pattern for casting a good distance in the right direction.

As suggested. Once you have cast your float out. Lower the rod tip in to the water and reel in a little until the line on the surface sinks. This is very important in stopping the float from moving. Keep the rod tip just touching the water to stop the surface drift effecting the line.

A size 12 hook is quite large for a grain of corn. Try a size 16 hook instead. As a rule. The lighter and smaller your line and hook size. The more bites you will get. You might miss a few more bites and lose a few of the fish that you hook. However, if your not getting bites. Then, your better off with the few lost fish and missed bites. Common sense really and about getting things ballanced.

Try other baits such as bread punch, maggots or worms. A similar set up will still work with these hook baits.

Finally, fish often follow the wind direction. So, if the wind is pushing to one end of your lake. Fish at that end of the lake where the fish are more likely to be.

Hope this helps.

[TF_b00mzxParticipant]

Hi

Wow thanks for all the replies, I’m sorry I’ve been late replying but my internet has been down again (damn VM).

Ok so going forward, I’m going to have a look at different hook sizes as TrueBlue mentioned. I’ve actually bought some size 12 hooks with a band attached for pellets etc, I may try them with the relevant bait and see if that changes anything unless advised otherwise by you kind folk…

It may well be my casting method, maybe im letting go too early. My line is a quality drennan one, I think it was 300m so is pretty full on the spool.

With the shotting method, I usually go with what the float says, for example 4BB. I would assume that the more weight around the float, the further it would fly but im obviously wrong… When I go again this weekend (if she lets me). I will make a note of what im doing to see where im going wrong….

On a slightly different note but still talking floats, how many of you guys use the tippex/marker method to change the colour of float tips? I got told about float sleeves but they are too small to get on the float despite numerous methods!

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