Want to track down a new personal best? There are a few key things you can do to swing the odds in your favour. Whether it's tricks with your presentation or bait hacks, it is often the little things you do in your angling that will help fool the bigger fish. We asked some of the countries top specimen anglers and former Drennan Cup Winners for their top tips to help you catch bigger specimen fish this year!
Use fresh bait (Angling Times)
Specimen anglers have always sought to use the freshest, highest-quality bait—and for good reason. Without a doubt, it makes a difference and gives you an edge over those using older bait. Changing your bait with every cast is also crucial, especially if you've already caught a fish on it. Regardless of what you're using—boilies, maggots, or deadbaits—switching to a fresh hookbait often triggers an immediate response as the fresh scent seems to instantly appeal to those bigger fish!
YOU CAN ALSO FLAVOUR YOUR BAITS FOR EXTRA ATTRACTION, FIND OUT HOW TO DO THAT HERE...
Fish ‘well’ (Simon Daley)
It goes without saying, but you have to fish well when an opportunity arises. There’s no need for complicated rigs—keep it simple, be confident in your approach, and stay accurate and focused on everything you do. If you can present a bait well to the fish you're trying to catch, you’re 90% there. Get the right bait on, and as long as the fish are in a feeding mood, you have a great chance!
THE BEST FLOAT RODS WILL HELP YOU PRESENT A BAIT FAR BETTER WHEN TROTTING A FLOAT.
Put in the miles... (Dan Woolcott)
Big fish aren’t found everywhere, and if you want to catch certain species you’ve got to be prepared to travel for them. Long drives aren’t much fun, but if they result in the fish of a lifetime, they’re certainly worth the effort. It also adds that little extra to the capture as the more effort you put in the more rewarding it feels when you achieve your target!
IF YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE BANK, THE BEST BEDCHAIRS WILL KEEP YOU COMFORTABLE!
Watch the weather (Matt Fernandez)
Conditions play a huge role in catching big fish. Look for south-westerlies, low pressure, or prime river levels, and make the most of it when everything aligns. Don’t waste your time fishing in poor conditions—target a different species or save your energy for when it’s right. An hour of fishing in ideal conditions can yield far better results than days spent struggling in unfavourable ones!
GRAYLING ARE FISH THAT WILL FEED IN NEARLY ALL CONDITIONS, THIS GUIDE WILL HELP YOU CATCH THEM.
Be confident (Steve Pitts)
If you’re chasing specimen fish—in my case, big eels—you won’t catch anything most of the time. On the lake I fished last year, I put in 82 nights for just three fish. My advice is to have the utmost confidence in your approach, so when that bite comes, you make the most of it. If you’re fishing somewhere difficult, the last thing you need is to be questioning your tactics instead of putting all your effort into finding the fish.
THE BEST FISHING BIVVIES WILL KEEP YOU WARM AND DRY THROUGHOUT ANY CAMPAIGN.
Prepare swims (Angling Times)
Introducing a few free offerings can massively swing the odds in your favour. Some swims also require a bit of work—for example, on weedy lakes, raking a spot well before you start fishing can not only get the fish feeding but also make bait presentation much easier. Prebaiting for a few days is another great way to build fish confidence. If you can get them feeding with little caution, your chances of catching them improve significantly.
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Track them down (Dan Woolcott)
At this time of year on stillwaters, get up in the dark, make yourself a cup of tea, and watch the water for signs. Binoculars are useful as they reduce the strain on your eyes and magnify every sign. Finding the fish is one of the most crucial aspects to fishing as you simply cannot catch what isn't in front of you!
ON RIVERS THERE ARE BETTER FEATURES TO LOOK FOR THAN OTHERS, OUR GUIDE SHOWS YOU THE BEST.
Do your homework (Matt Fernandez)
Don’t fish for ghosts. It’s essential that the water you’re targeting actually holds the fish you’re after. Ask around, read the angling reports, get the right tickets and give yourself a chance. It can also pay to find out what conditions or what time of year certain fish are caught as very often there is a pattern to this. If you do find out, try to get on the bank during those periods!
IF YOU WANT TO CATCH A DOUBLE FIGURE BARBEL THIS SEASON, CHECK OUT THESE STRETCHES NOW!
Don’t go undergunned (Steve Pitts)
There’s no point in hooking one of these once-in-a-lifetime fish and not being able to land it, so use the strongest gear you can. The adrenaline will be pumping when you hook the fish you’ve dreamt of, and the last thing you’ll want to worry about is the fish snapping your line, believe me, it will haunt you forever.
THE BEST REEL LINES WILL COPE WITH ANYTHING YOU CAN HOOK IN BRITISH WATERS.
Keep going! (Simon Daley)
Be prepared to put in the hours for a big fish. They rarely come easily, but keep going and be sure to make the most of every single opportunity. As with most things in life, the more effort you put in the more you will be rewarded and fishing for specimen fish is no different.
