Matches are often won by ounces, so every fish counts! That means the small silvers you’d normally ignore should be a part of your plans, particularly when the weather is colder and bites are harder to come by.
Here's five tips to help you win your next fishing match by catching only small fish.
Target rudd shallow
Small rudd are often overlooked, but when they’re present in numbers, a weight can be put together, even in cooler weather. Catching these fish up in the water is the quickest method, as rudd naturally feed off bottom and will swirl on the surface when you throw in loosefeed.
A small pole float of 4x10 is ideal, fixing the rig at around 18ins deep with little weight down the line. This depth can then be varied if the fish show signs of dropping further down in the water or coming right up just under the surface.
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Pinkies for bites
Using the wrong hookbait can be too selective when bites are the name of the game. Typical silverfish baits like casters or maggots might leave you waiting too long and slipping behind in the race.
Pinkies are much better to keep the float going under, especially fluorescent pink ones that stand out well in coloured water and also seem to have the knack of picking off the odd big roach or skimmer. Double pinkie is seen by many as the best hookbait of all.
YOU NEED TO KEEP FEED GOING IN. CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST CATAPULTS TO HELP YOU.
Set a target
Knowing how much weight is going into your net is key, whether you’re after carp or small fish. By counting how many silverfish you’re getting, you can quickly estimate a rough figure in pounds and ounces to see if you’re on track. Using a handheld ‘clicker’ lets you keep count, and if each fish is an average of 2oz you’ll need 80 of them to put 10lb on the scoreboard.
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Keep it close
Trying to build a weight when fishing at distance on the pole is hard work and, if you can catch closer in, so much the better. Most fisheries have a good depth of water just 5m or so out, and small silverfish will happily feed here. Have a plumb around, looking for a minimum of 5ft of water at this distance, and you’re in business. If the wind allows, you could even fish a whip to hand to make your catch-rate even faster.
CHECK OUT OUR BUYER'S GUIDE TO THE BEST FISHING WHIPS AND REALLY BAG UP ON YOUR NEXT TRIP.
Always think about perch
If there is one ‘small’ fish that can soon boost a net, it’s perch. These fish can grow to massive sizes feeding on small prey fish and excess bait fed by anglers, but a good average size to target is around 8oz apiece. If you can find one, more are sure to follow, as they swim around in packs. Worms aren’t really necessary to catch them as plain old maggots will do the job, fished close to any vegetation or features that the perch will use as an ambush point.
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