Are you struggling catch or even land bigger fish while out on the bank? Then you may want to check out these very simple steps that will increase your chance of catching a much bigger carp, bream or tench next time you are out fishing
One of the best places to start when looking to target bigger fish is the canals as every canal in the land is now home to a good head of quality bream, carp and tench.
Preston Innovations-backed Graham West has spent a lot of time this summer searching for big fish on his local stretches, and has found they can be put in the net on a baiting approach very similar to what would be used on a commercial fishery…
PEG SELECTION
“Most pegs on commercials will hold a head of big fish, but that isn’t the case on canals and you’ll need to be sitting in the right area to succeed.
“But it isn’t hard to find these lumps. At this time of year, when boat traffic is heavy, they will hide up in cover and any peg with lots of overhanging trees or bushes is sure to hold these big fish.
“Try to find a fairly large snag that will hold good numbers of fish as opposed to a little bush that might look appealing but doesn’t actually offer much underwater shelter for the fish.”
BAIT CHOICE
“Anglers thinking of big canal fish are put off going after them as they think they need to use an expensive worm and caster attack to catch them.
“These baits will work but I have found that pellets, corn and a little groundbait is just as effective.
“A lot of canals are now regularly fished by specimen carp anglers who feed pellets and boilies. As a result the fish are used to feeding on more commercial-orientated products.
“As you will have already located the fish by picking the right peg, you won’t have to feed much. It’s really just about stimulating a response and bringing fish to the edge of any snags to the point where you can get them out.
“Fish a line to the left and right of the feature and feed a couple of balls of Sonubaits Worm Fishmeal groundbait and a handful of pellet and corn to get things underway.
“The best three hookbaits are banded hard pellets, expander pellets and corn.”
STRONG TACKLE
“As you are fishing tight up to snags you are going to have your tackle tested the moment you hook into a fish.
“It’ll be no surprise to you that big carp will charge straight for the branches and tree roots, but it will surprise you to know that canal bream very often do the very same!
“I have no hesitation in using 0.21mm Preston Innovations Powerline mainline to an 0.19mm hooklength of the same material and a strong size 14 hook. Elastic is a tightly set 17H or 19H, but make sure you have a pole that can handle such heavy hauling.
“After all, there’s no point getting a bite on light tackle and knowing for a fact you are going to lose it.
“You also need to fight your instincts to strike normally when you get a bite. Missed bites will often end up with your rig going straight into a snag and you’ll give the fish a vital split second more to win the battle.
“As soon as the float goes, ship back as quickly as you can. This motion will set the hook and the fish won’t know what has happened for a few seconds, giving you vital time to get it away from the danger zone and give you the upper hand.”