Picking right tackle is important for beginner
This
week for the junior corner we are going to concentrate on using the correct
tackle when starting out fishing.
This topic is very diverse because some fortunate parents can afford far
better tackle than others, but this in itself should not be an inhibiting
factor for any youngster wishing to have a go at fishing.
Nowadays, the whole range of fishing tackle is superior to the type of
tackle that was manufactured in the early 1900s and, more importantly,
the range of tackle that you can currently purchase is much lighter.
People used to catch fish with a small branch from a tree coupled with
a piece of string and a bent needle; this basic technique was used by
literally hundreds of people in days gone by.
This type of crude tackle has now been replaced with poles up to 16 metres
(50 feet plus) or with shorter poles, known as a whip, that can vary in
length from three metres (10ft) up to seven metres (22 feet).
With up-to-date technology, the top sections of these poles or whips can
be elasticated to act as a shock absorber to work in conjunction with
the action of the rod tip.
These elastics vary in diameter and strength depending on the size of
fish you are hoping to catch. The smaller the fish, the smaller the diameter
of elastic is required.
If you use too thick elastic when catching small fish, you will soon realise
that you will bump off a lot of fish and losing them will affect your
catch rate.
However, at the other end of the scale, if you are using small diameter
elastic and you hit into a large fish, you will find that it will stretch
your elastic away from your pole tip to an extreme length and it is highly
probable that you will not only lose the fish but your terminal tackle
as well.
Their is also the added possibility of breaking the top sections of your
pole, so you have to get the balance right and this will only come to
you through experience.
As a novice angler you should be looking to use either a number (two to
four) or (four to six elastic), but as a beginner you will not have the
required knowledge or skill to elasticate your own sections and this is
where a more expert angler or your local tackle shop proprietors can help
you out.
Fishing tackle can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be –
though cheapest is obviously not the best.
To get started you just need to visit any of the four local tackle shops
and they will offer you the right advice on what basic equipment you require.
The best method to use for beginners is whip fishing with either a waggler
float or a fixed pole float.
This method is reasonably cheap and easy to use because you do not have
to bother with a reel and two handed co-ordination, as your line is held
in place to the top section of your pole or whip with a special connector
and sleeve called a stonfo.
Your rig can be removed quite easily at the end of a successful session
and retained on what is called a pole winder, ready for future use.
Do not fall in to the habit of using the same float or pole rig every
time you go fishing, because what suits one venue may not suit another.
Once again, by experimenting, you will improve your skills on selecting
the right equipment to suit your needs.
One very important factor you should get into the habit of performing
before you actually start fishing is to ensure that you plumb the depth
of the peg you are about to fish.
This procedure is essential to help you get some idea of the undulations
of the bed of the lake or canal in front of you and to help you find deeper
pockets where a shoal of fish may be congregating and using it as a safe
haven.
All this requires is for you to attach a plummet (heavy weight) onto your
terminal tackle and, because it is heavier than the capacity of your float
or pole rig, it will settle on the bed of the water.
If you have not set your float deep enough, it will pull your float under
the surface of the water. This means that you will then need to keep plumbing
the depth and re-adjusting your float up the line towards the tip of you
pole at 6 to 10 millimetre (1/4 inch to 1/2 inch) intervals until your
float tip is just out of the water.
Alternatively, if you have set your float too deep, once the plummet has
reached the bed of the water, your float will just lay across the surface
of the water and you will have to re-adjust your float the opposite way
down the line, back towards the hook.
Notice Board
Go Baits’
next evening open match is scheduled to take place at Langold Lake on
Wednesday 2nd July.
The entry fee is £10 all-inclusive, the draw takes place at 5pm
and fishing will be from 6pm until 9pm. Further details are available
from Stewart Goulding on 01909 540105.
Worksop Piscatorial members who intend taking part in the next match on
the 6th July on the Stainforth and Keadby Canal at Bonney Hale should
notify the secretary as soon as possible.
Association News
The Bassetlaw
Festival Senior Citizens match is scheduled to take place on Sandhill
Lake on Tuesday 8th July.
Tickets are available at all four of our local tackle shops priced at
£2 and all entry fees will be paid back in prize money.
There will be an optional pool for those wishing to participate. The draw
will take place at 9am and fishing will be from 10.30am until 3pm.
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Yours in Sport Glyn |