L U R E
of the line they move on results
in a double hook-up. The average
Rutland zander size is in the 3lb to
4lb or 40cm to 50cm bracket, but
in the deep water they feel twice
that. Having found the right line
Ant continues to plunder the shoal
that’s terrorizing the bait fish below,
but as the clock ticks on the action
drops off, the zander slinking back
down the shelf, into the dark water.
Once again Ant goes on the hunt
with the Lowrance fish finder, this
time positioning the boat above
50 plus feet of water. The target,
a water pipe used to flow water to
Rutland’s large towers. Sectional
with massive flanges used to bolt the
structure together, it’s castellated
form is a sheltering magnet for prey
fish – and the zander won’t be far
away.
Again a drift is set in motion as
the lures are released. This time Ant
has gone for a change of weapon. A
Savage Gear 12.5cm Cannibal Shad
loaded on to a 28g stand-up jighead
plunges down, the increased weight
needed to compensate for the extra
depth and therefore water pressure
on the braid as the boat moves.
Colour choice, as with the Sand Eel,
is white and yellow, a colour scheme
Ant really rates for zander in very
low light conditions.
Immediately the boys are on the
fish. Drift after drift rods arc over. If
bites tail off a move up the pipe to
another shoal soon sets things off
again and double hook ups are the
default setting for the day. By the
time the boats are called in Ant has
plundered the venue. Over 50 fish to
the boat topped by an example over
70cm or 7lb. Striking the balance of
tackle to raid the depths produced
the results. Exhausted and in
need of a fresh batch of unchewed
cannibal shads, Ant heads
for home. L U R E
LIGHT LEVELS
Targeting zander is all about light levels. In the depths of large waters such as Rutland the gloom
afforded by the mass of water above keeps them hunting around the clock. However, as the
daylight fades the fish will move into shallower water, using their superior eyesight to ambush
prey that don’t see quite so well in low light. It’s also the reason why when fishing deep brighter
lures tend to outscore duller alternatives. In terms of visibility a white lure takes some beating.
especially one that creates plenty of vibrati