BAIT
Without good quality bait you are behind the pace before you even set off. Always ensure you buy the best bait, make sure it is clean and as fresh as possible. Always take a good variety with you and do not ever forget the humble worm.
BARBLESS HOOKS
Fish barbless hooks wherever possible, not just on stillwaters where it is compulsory. Give them a try on rivers, you will notice very little difference and it is much easier to unhook fish.
LINE SPIN STOPPER
Here is a top tip if you are fishing at distance and want to fish double maggot on the hook particularly if you are after carp. Try using a tiny diamond eye swivel, it will turn with the bait as you reel in and stop your hook length from twisting.
WIND AND WEATHER
The weather plays an important part particularly in preparation for where we fish. Invariably on lakes fish will be where the wind is blowing into the shore. It may be uncomfortable but you should be in a prime fishing hot spot.
STRIKING FOR CARP
More and more anglers are turning to stillwaters which hold a big head of carp, but at times struggle because you have to fish close to features and usually the carp are in a big hurry and dive straight in to the vegetation. A top tip if this keeps happening and you have to fish very close to features, is to strike the same way the carp is running, it may seem strange at first, but invariably it brings the fish out into open water very quickly.
PLUMBING UP
One of the most important aspects of fishing is regularly forgotten by many. Plumbing up is so important, it tells you the depth and features to your peg helping you to assess where you will fish in your swim.
LINE AND ROD RINGS
Year round fishing has meant that many simple tasks that we used to do in the close season are overlooked. If you are an avid fan of running line fishing then it is so important to make sure your line and rod rings are in perfect condition. You should consider changing your line at least once a month to eliminate any chance of a lost fish through fraying or deterioration. A top tip to see if you have problems with rod eyes is to run a piece of dental floss through and around each eye, if it frays in anyway you will know that the eye needs replacing.
HEMP TIPS
Summer time hemp fishing is enjoyed by many now but there are still several ways of taking a few extra fish. Hemp for the hook needs to be slightly undercooked so that the shell can grasp the shank of the hook. Always loose feed hemp a little downstream as this sinks much quicker than maggot loose feed. Do not be afraid to fish hemp over depth, it often produces bigger fish.
FLOATS FOR THE JOB
There are a huge variety of pole floats on the market now and it can sometimes be confusing. If you are on a river, look for a carrot shaped float, this is ideal for holding back or over shotting. On stillwaters and drains it is the reverse or pear shaped float that should be used. For hemp fishing a slim bodied float is ideal, if you are after carp make sure it is made with more robust material such as cane tops and thick carbon stems.
PEG PICKING
Look out for feature whether you are on a river or stillwater, these are the pegs that regularly produce fish whether it is an overhanging tree, lily pads or far bank vegetation. They may be difficult to fish but all fish love cover, they feel safe and are more willing to feed.
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