Let’s face it method fishing is not Astro Physics or Russian politics. You can’t really do a lot wrong if you follow a few simple rules. So for those out there who do not know what Method fishing is or who may need a refresher then put the kettle on sit back and read on.
A few years back a guy was fishing a conventional feeder set up and getting some unmissable bites. The problem was he WAS missing them!! He tried everything, longer hook lengths, shorter hook lengths, smaller hooks, smaller baits, bigger hooks, bigger baits. Nothing worked and he decided the fish must be attacking the feeder rather than the hook bait. So he cast out a loaded feeder with a bare hook and guess what, the rod tip whacked round. Right thinks our man I will push the hook length inside the feeder and leave the hook bait only just sticking out of the feeder.
If they want what is in the feeder then the best place for the hook bait is IN the feeder. Sure enough he caught a fish and the rest is history. In time techniques have improved and we now have specific tackle for the method The method is I think a way to catch fish from a venue with a high density of fish usually carp. The idea being you have a number of fish all competing and attacking the food on the feeder and in the mayhem your hook bait is taken along with the freebies. Basically a method feeder is a weighted frame or cage around which a ground bait is moulded. It is usually fished in line’ which creates a bolt rig effect. This means that when a fish takes the bait and moves away from the feeder it should hook itself against the weight of the feeder creating instant and spectacular bites. With the method the fish attacks the ball of ground bait and in the feeding frenzy picks up your hook bait which is inside the ground bait or very close to it.
The Tackle
Method feeders can weigh between 1oz and 3oz before any ground bait is added so rods need a bit of backbone to cast it out. Avon style rods with a 1.25 up to 2.00 test curve are good or 3 or 4oz quiver tips. Reels should be fixed spool and need about 100 yards of 8/10 lb line. You MUST use a stronger main line than your hook length. This is so the main line will not break before the hook length or the fish will be towing a feeder around.
The key to a good method rig is a short hook length. Generally if the hook length can be folded back over the ground bait loaded feeder and touch the mainline above the feeder then it is too long. Two reasons for this, one you need your hook bait close to your ball of ground bait around the feeder and second if the hook length can reach the mainline it can be prone to tangling which is bad news. With 8lb mainline a hook length of 6lb is about right. The feeders used for the semi fixed style have your mainline threaded through the feeder and attached to a swivel. This swivel is then pulled back into the feeder and creates the bolt rig. The hook length is then attached to the other end of the swivel. More on method fishing next week.
And finally
A man walks into a chip shop with a fish under his arm and says to the assistant “do you sell fish cakes in here?” The assistant says “sorry no we don’t” “That’s a shame” says the man “It’s his birthday”
John Dillon 650 675 968 costablancafishing@hotmail.net
http://www.costablancaleader.com
