It’s rapidly becoming margin time on our commercials, a part of the peg that’s only going to get better and better as we head into May and June – yet too many people assume that fishing the edge is just about dumping in a load of bait and emptying the lake!
True, that can happen on the very odd occasion, but more often than not, you need to think about what you’re feeding, how much you put in, and how often. Even double-figure carp be surprisingly fickle –despite the fact that you can see them with their tails up, tearing the lakebed to bits.
YOU NEED THE RIGHT KIT TO FISH THE MARGINS. CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO MARGIN POLES.
There are two main feeds to use in the edge – dead maggots and groundbait or pellets and corn. Both will work,but they definitely have their pros and cons.
It’s easy to use only a big pole cup to pile the bait in, but going the other way, and changing to a little Kinder pot, can catch you a lot more fish at certain times.
Staple feeds
If in doubt as to what to feed, go for pellets and corn. These heavy baits won’t be washed about by feeding fish. How much you feed depends on how many fish you are expecting to catch.
Quick response
Groundbait and dead maggots will get fish into the peg quickly. Feed overwetted groundbait loose so it sinks quickly. I’d also add a few dead maggots to the mix.
The meat ‘window’
Meat works for a little while, then quickly becomes less effective than other baits. In shallow margin swims meat mush picks off bigger carp. I’d use meat for the next few weeks, but not afterwards.
Cup or kinder pot?
To feed the margins I’ll use two large pole cupfuls, then change to a Kinder pot. If this works I’ll carry on, but if it’s not happening, it may be that I need to feed a big pot after every carp I land.
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