“Rather than casting to a load of spots in quick succession, I prefer
to cast a bait to one spot and leave it for 10 minutes to see whether I
get a bite, or a liner,” he explained. “If I get any indication, then I’ll
concentrate on that area, as I know that fish are nearby.
“I could leave the bait out there for 30 minutes to an hour if I’m sure
they’ll feed at some point,” he added, “but normally I’ll keep it to 10
minutes.”
Bob also added that he would keep a lookout for signs of any fish
topping.
So how do you feed the swim when you’re fishing the straight lead?
“I don’t feed at all for the first hour, unless I find the fish during
that time,” explained Bob. “Then, I’ll only use a small feeder, like this
window feeder, as it concentrates the feed in a tight area to pull any fish
to my hook bait.
“I add a pinch maggots to the feeder and plug the window with
softened micros,” he added. “This is then cast out with a baited hook,
just in case a fish moves in quickly.
“I’d feed no more than two feederfuls, or maybe three if it’s a bit
warmer, but no more until I get bites, and then only it I’m still getting
indications that fish are there.”
Even in the depths of winter, some commercial venues ensure you can
turn up and fish in sub-zero temperatures by turning on the
aerators overnight, which keeps the water moving so
that it doesn’t ice up.
Lake Ross has a fountain in the centre of the
lake, and that was enough to keep most of the
It was a struggle but through
venue frost free.
reason and hard work Bob
Bob started the session by casting double red
worked out where the fish
maggots into the open water, fishing in an arc
were, what they wanted
from his right until he reached the floating
and crucially, when to feed.
island, leaving the bait in for 10 minutes.
The results might not be
The first hour failed to produce a bite,
a massive bag of summer
which left Bob feeling that the fish were
proportions, but in freezing
probably sheltering under the island. He
conditions, it warmed us
decided to concentrate his efforts here, and
right up.
after another biteless 30 minutes, he reeled in and
discovered that one of the baits had been nibbled,
although he hadn’t seen his tip move.
BOB’S CATCH