Originally posted by Fishnets
What a great read and insight Ricky, thanks.
How would you approach the Thames (Oxon), deepish and wide. If any sort of feature presents it's self would you just keep regular casts going in with big feeders, even an hour or so with out a hook link and just try to 'pull' fish up stream.
Would you target the same spot and try to get fish used to an area producing food so they frquent it more?
I have some spots in areas that do hold barbel, maybe not in big numbers, but who knows it is a big expanse of water.
I'm even thinking of regular PVA bags of pellets, hemp and oils, weighted with a stone just to try and create a flow of free offerings?
Hi mate,
Fishing to features are always a pull, a draw if you like that lures you there. While fish frequent these areas especially during the hottest and clear weather during conducive conditions I look for underwater obstructions/features. It is always worth trying to pull fish towards you, like I said in my article they will move towards the source but not as far in conducive conditions. I have had them come right onto the feeder when they're really havin' it. Confidence the fish gain from feeding and not disturbing the shoal is invaluable but it's not for the faint hearted. It takes a lot of patience, time and effort.
Usually I will feed via a catapult if I want fish from downstream to follow it upstream, I will however use a bait dropper if targetting fish a few yards away, say 10 to 15 yds. I use Big feeders yes but not to get bait down usually only to keep topping it up. If you imagine a conveyor belt in a supermarket well this is usually how quick your free offerings are being washed downstream.
Yes constant feeding will bring fish to the area or spot more without a doubt mate, or pre-baiting should bring quick results if your mission was to get the biggest from the shoal.
Do not use PVA it's an expensive way to get bait down mate. Get a bait dropper it will do a better job trust me. Whilst PVA mesh will do a job in steady flow the bait won't stick around in fast water long enough. I have seen a few Bob Roberts articles and came across this, it will show you what's wrong with PVA mate and what I am saying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG9JykFDyj0
I would suggest to feed 25 droppers of pellets and hemp at once, leave for 10 mins then fish over the top of it with a pellet. I will speak about this in the second part in more detail. Don't catch anything after 30 mins feed another 10 to 15 droppers full. Keep it going in, Barbel fishing begins and starts there and you get that right you'll catch more fish for definite. Thank you for your comments and good luck with your fishing.