The Method feeder is the undisputed king of crucian carp tactics, but fishing slightly differently to how most others do has paid off for me in recent years and I'm here to divulge those tactics with you.
We all know that when we load a Method feeder, we should tuck the hookbait into the ball of feed. But I always thought if there could be a better way of baiting the feeder to make the rig even more effective.
I often got plenty of line bites and wouldn't catching anything and knowing fish were out there, picking up my hookbait and getting away with it, so something had to change.
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Finicky feeding
Like tench, crucians feed in an almost stationary manner, gently wafting their fins to upend over the bait. If there’s any slack in your hooklink, they’ll easily blow your bait in and out without ever feeling the resistance of the feeder.
I realised that, when you tuck your hookbait into the ball of feed, you inevitably end up with a bit of slack in the line. This is fine for species that feed aggressively, but not crucians. So, I broke one of the first rules of Method feeder fishing and left my hookbait hanging out.
As I use 5lb fluorocarbon, I know it will kick away from the feeder and lay tight a few inches from my pile of feed. Any fish that picked it up would feel the weight of the feeder quickly, and therefore hook itself.
USING THE BEST FEEDER ROD WILL MAKE YOUR FISHING SO MUCH MORE REFINED!
Plastic isn't always fantastic
On thing I have changed in my crucian fishing is to use a real grain of corn on the hook. Plastic baits are incredibly popular for the species and do, of course, work. But, for me, it’s always a compromise using them, and I only do so if small fish are a problem. A real bait is always better, and if I can use one, I will. Using a flavouring or something like Scopex corn from Dynamite Baits is brilliant too – super-bright and full of flavour. I fish this with Green Lipped Mussel groundbait, and I’ll also feed some hemp, worm castings, and a few grains of corn.
Explore the margins
On many waters, the fish live right under the nearside marginal bushes or just off the shelf, so rather than casting, I use a baiting pole to put my hookbait into spots it’d be impossible to reach otherwise. Mine is a Milo pole my parents bought me in the 1990s, with a baiting spoon glued to the end and some foam either side to keep it floating. It does the job, but any baiting pole will suffice.
Stay mobile
Don't think you have to plot up in a swim for days at a time, whilst this can work I often find crucians are localised so I generally spend a few hours in each swim before moving on, dropping a bait into the next one. Location, as always, is important, and I’ve found that crucians absolutely love a new wind, especially if it’s from the south.
YOU DON'T NEED HEAVY TACKLE FOR CRUCIAN CARP, CHECK OUT OUR BUYER'S GUIDE TO THE BEST REELS.
Dan's top tips
Balance your hooks
Kamasan B983s are perfect crucian hooks, in my opinion – fine enough to offer some delicacy, but plenty strong enough too.
Go for fluoro
If you’re not tucking your hookbait into the feeder, fluorocarbon is essential. It’s stiff enough to kick itself away and prevent your rig landing in a mess.
Watch the water
Keep an eye out for fish rolling and be prepared to move swims if you do see some showing.
Easy on the feed
There’s no need to use loads of bait for crucians. Small amounts, fed with deadly accuracy, is the best way to go.
Adapt your tactics
If you’re getting loads of line bites but not catching, something is probably wrong. Try tweaking your set-up to tempt a fish.
FLOAT FISHING IS ALSO A GREAT WAY OF CATCHING CRUCIAN CARP, CHECK OUT OUR BUYER'S GUIDE FOR SOME GREAT OPTIONS.
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