111222111 Va Rog

TACKLE Setting Up Correctly

ADVANCED POLE FISHING30

Are You Sitting Comfortably?

Every year I’m asked to coach people, and I think they expect me to turn up and discuss rigs and tactics with

them that will suddenly lead to more fi sh being caught. However, they are usually more than a little taken aback when I start the sessions by picking holes in their basic set-ups on the bank. I usually have to take them back a few steps in order to actually move them forward!

Anglers often have a whole host of bad habits that well-meaning older anglers have probably taught them in the past. My task is to undo these malpractices and instil more effi cient ways of doing basic things, which will ultimately lead to them catching more fi sh.

This is how I begin to coach anglers; all the tackle and feeding intricacies follow later, and I am going to highlight some of the key factors today. Follow these and I

am certain your fi shing will benefi t as a result.

The modern tackle box or seatbox is where it all begins for me. These well-designed modern-day products are where we spend a lot of our time and from where we control the day’s fi shing. Buy a proper one with adjustable legs and a footplate and your fi shing effi ciency will improve no end. The main point is to ensure that your box is fl at. Some even have a spirit level built into the seat area, which gives a truer guideline for this essential factor in a comfortable day’s sport.

Everyone has a different body shape, but whether you are tall or short this same principle applies – ensure that the seat is set so that your knees are an inch or less above the top when you are seated. This is so vital and will make a huge difference when pole fi shing.

Your back will also benefi t from a correctly positioned box. Walk around any fi shery and you’ll be able to point out those who’ll have an aching back at the end of the day simply by looking at their posture. A long pole is pulling against you all the time and, over the course of a day, it can cause you major back problems. It also might at fi rst appear trivial but, believe me, a correctly positioned side tray makes a huge difference too. Place it so that you are not reaching down more than the length of your hand, otherwise back strain will occur and you will also lose effi ciency.

When match fi shing, it’s usually the case on commercial venues these days that two keepnets are required. These must also be positioned with some thought. Too high and they will be in the way; too low and you may well miss them with the fi sh.

England Ladies’ coach Tom Pickering strongly believes that, even before you’ve wet a line, setting up your kit correctly can make all the difference to your fi shing. We join him at Hayfi eld Lakes to fi nd out more…

Tommy believes that being comfortable on the bank means more fi sh in the net.

p30-33_AP_01_sittng-comfortably.1 1p30-33_AP_01_sittng-comfortably.1 1 12/12/07 10:37:23 am12/12/07 10:37:23 am

ADVANCED POLE FISHING 31

Place all your bait close to

you, to prevent overstretching.Are You Sitting

Comfortably?

I like mine to have a small gap in between, where the landing-net head can sit, as all this leads to an effi cient system. The same principle applies to groundbait bowls – the closer the better in my book, to avoid overreaching and a possible strain.

If you’re using groundbait, then position your bowl or bucket in one of the side rings that are available, so that you can reach down and form a groundbait ball without thinking or unnecessary effort.

I think rig roosts are essential. They keep your top kits off the ground and out of harm’s way. I prefer mine to be positioned on my right. In the pictures, all of the items mentioned so far are positioned for a right-handed person. Naturally, a left-handed individual would have his or her things on the opposite side.

My rigs and accessories are all organised in my seatbox and on my side tray, and my removable stacking trays are placed

directly behind me so that I don’t need to get up to grab items.

Effi ciency while you’re fi shing is also easy to improve on. It may sound obvious, but place your bait tubs so they’re next to you rather than on the far side of your side tray. Also, learn to bait up while holding the pole – hold the top kit AND the hook in one hand and then you can use the other to grab some bait. Hold the hook between thumb and forefi nger and you’re sorted.


TACKLE Setting Up Correctly

ADVANCED POLE FISHING32

PLAYING THE GAME

I’m not going into detail about how to fi sh a specifi c method here, but instead will talk a little about playing fi sh on the pole.

Elastic is the pole angler’s best friend, especially when we hook a big fi sh like a carp, and the simplest bit of advice is to keep the pole tip low and let the fi sh tire itself out against the elastic.

However, don’t be tempted to break down too early. By all means bring the carp in close (as long as it’s not ruining a margin line) but keep the pole at a long length and supported on the roller(s) so, if the fi sh does make a big run, you can work with the elastic by pushing some more pole out to follow it. If you’re down to just a top kit then you may lose the fi sh.

Once you do break it down, keep the pole top kit low to the side and the carp will follow. Only bring the pole to an upright position at the very last moment when the fi sh is ready to be netted. If the fi sh kites off in another direction then place the pole down in the opposite way to counteract it.

Once the fi sh is in the landing net, grab the handle at the spreader block (where the handle and net join) and lift. Don’t, at any time, try to lift the net up with a carp in it by using the handle alone – you WILL break the handle!

It’s always best to unhook the fi sh as it sits in the base of the net, which is at this point resting between your legs. With barbless hooks, unhooking is usually

pretty straightforward. Then place the net deep inside the keepnet head in order to release the fi sh into the keepnet itself. You are then ready to clean the line, if necessary, of any slime or bits of debris and then you can rebait, drop the rig back in and ship out again all very effi ciently.

When swinging in a smaller fi sh, allow the fi sh to come to hand and into your body. Too many anglers have been taught to grab the line above the fi sh but this is wrong, as it can lead to the fi sh either busting the line as it wriggles or the fi sh jumping off the hook and onto the bank. Remember: a fi sh in the net means someone else has to catch two to beat you.

When you’ve broken down to the

top kit, keep the pole tip low to

the water, only raising it when the

fi sh is ready for the net.

When swinging silvers

in, do it so they come

directly to hand…

Once it’s hooked, play the

fi sh out in open water before

shipping in and breaking down.

… and not so you have to grab

the line above them – this is

when breaks occur!

ROCK ‘N’ ROLLPole rollers are ‘must-have’ items. Owning one is great but knowing how to position one is even better. When using a long pole two rollers will help, especially if you have a high bank behind you.

The general rule is to be able to ship out without the pole feeling unbalanced or tipping over. Poorly positioned rollers will see loaded pole cups spraying bait all over the place – you’ve got it right when the pole slides effortlessly off the rollers and keeps going through your hands as you slide the rig into position. Or course, you can use your holdall and carryall as makeshift rollers but try to invest in at least one high-quality roller when you start out.


ADVANCED POLE FISHING 33

POLE POSITION

It’s all too easy to turn holding a pole into a chore. I’ve seen countless newcomers holding their poles in all sorts of ways that not only look ungainly but must also be killing their back muscles!

Pole fi shing is all about accuracy, and holding the pole in the same position to fi sh in the same spot every time is essential. Try to fi sh the pole so that you’re holding it with your elbow at the end. You then know you’re fi shing the same length every time. Of course, you can put markers on the sections but this is a much easier way. Don’t fi sh with miles of pole sticking out behind you because you’ll fi nd it hard to be accurate, and if the bank is sloping behind you the butt will hit the ground when you strike – this can mean serious damage!

For accurate feeding and presentation don’t hold

your pole mid-section…

… instead, hold it at the end so you know exactly how long

you’re fi shing every time.

I am 100 per cent certain that if you follow all the

simple, yet essential, tips I have outlined today

then your results will improve tenfold. Pole fi shing

is all about being slick, effi cient and consistent,

and it’s not just the tackle you own and the rigs

you use that will help you move up a gear. Setting

up properly and having the right mentality is just

as important. Good luck!

THE LAST WORD

Oops, that’s too low to reach when you want to feed!

Tommy with a great net of fi sh that came as a result of being prepared and comfortable on the bank.

That’s more like it – your side tray should be within easy reach.


Documents

111222111 Va Rog