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Hi Matt, Enjoyed 'Rod race' immensely, I would just like to humbly offer a tip to Mick about handling eels! If you grasp an eel between your forefinger and middle finger just behind its gills and quickly form your hand into a fist, your grip will not allow it to slip, and hook removal is simplified. Thanks for the pleasure of your films, keep up the good work! Ted Holgate
Hi Ted, Sounds like a really good tip that I’m going to try out myself. I will let Mick know too!
Matt
Dear Matt, I live in Ireland and have found a stretch of canal with some big carp present; I have found a spot were they lie up during the day where you can see them on top of the water, would this be the correct place to bait up and wait for a take?
Chris O’Neill
Chris, Most certainly it would. Just bait up every night for a few days and then fish for them. Corn or maize would be a good bet - you will get the fish feeding on these baits instantly.
Matt
Hi Matt, Could you tell me anywhere on the Severn between Iron Bridge and Bridgenorth where you can camp over night (preferably not a campsite) and fish on day ticket? A couple of mates and myself just want a good days fishing and to chill out.
You can camp at Lye Hall Farm at Hampton Loade. The farm is on the left as you come down Hampton Loade lane. Stick to the Kidderminster side of the river as there are two Hampton Loade's on either side of the Severn. Both the Baa and Kinver Freeliners offer fishing in Hampton Loade. Kinver Freeliners is day ticket with tickets sold on the bank.
Matt
Hi Matt, Could you please recommend a good match rod I have had two Browning Sytec carp match rods and have broke them both playing fish [carp 14lb+] so could you please recommend one with a price range of £85
The TFG Iron and Velvet Carp Match is outstanding. Log onto the website at www.totalfishinggear.co.uk The rod costs a little more than your price tag but it is a superb rod and it comes with a lifetime section replacement guarantee.
Matt
Hi Matt, I have recently become a senior member in my club allowing me to fish a water that I couldn’t before. I have caught two fish in my first four sessions of 19lb 4oz and 21lb 7oz on activ-8 and it was the first time I have used the bait so I have confidence in using it. I have recently spotted a large koi carp which has never been caught because I have asked the other members of the lake if it has ever been caught and they said they haven’t even seen it before!
What I would like to know is how I go about targeting this particular fish and no other, because I know it is the only koi in the lake and I would really like to be the first person to catch it and get a picture for the club website. Could you please give me some tips on targeting one single fish?
Thanks, Sam
Hi Sam, Your best bet is to fish on the surface for this carp. If you can get the fish feeding on floating biscuits you have the opportunity to present a bait in front of the Koi and drag it away from the other fish. Koi are willing surface feeders in the summer months and I think that this is by far and away the best tactic for targeting it.
Matt
Hi Matt, I recently caught a fish which I was unable to fully recognise, I am unsure whether it was a chub or a young bream; it had the look of a good sized chub. Another strange feature was that its eyes were orange. Is it possible that I have caught a hybrid? I have mentioned it to many of my friends and I get a mixed bag of answers. I hope you can shed a little light on the fish and put my mind at rest.
Adrian Moss
Hi Adrian, Yes, I think it’s a hybrid. On a couple of occasions I have been convinced that I have caught a chub/roach hybrid. The other possibility is that you have caught an IDE. These fish are occasionally found in British waters. European in origin, they are released from captive environments in this country.
Matt
Hi Matt, You did an article on the River Teme; could you please let me know what stretch it was? I’ve fished Cotheridge, Broardwas and Linbridge. I like reading your articles as they have helped me out when I’m not sure what to do.
Hi, The stretch is near Cotheridge, but to be honest I don't think it matters where you fish on the Teme at the moment - it seems to be fishing its head off everywhere. Glad you like the stuff I write - thanks for reading.
Matt
Hi Matt, After watching you on Buena Vista Fishing Club, I was inspired to go to Cuba myself for the fishing. I had a brilliant time and caught some great fish. A top tip for anyone thinking of going is to forget spending a fortune on chartering yachts to go deep sea fishing and instead ask a local to take you out on a small catamaran. I caught barracuda and red snapper. Thanks again for recommending Cuba; it was the best.
Thanks, Chris Johnston, Amsterdam.
Well done Chris! Good to hear that you had a good time. A word of warning though - not everyone has been as lucky as you and I do know plenty of people who have been ripped off when they have gone out with small local boats. Still, at least you had a result and I'm glad you liked the programme and the country!
Matt
Dear Matt,
I am 79 years old and just 8 months ago suffered a heart attack. I was taken to hospital by ambulance and 5 weeks later was transferred to Brighton for open heart surgery. During this time my wife and I decided that I should do something about an invention that I had some 50 years ago, the heart attack was a real 'wake up call'.
All my life fishing has been a great hobby of mine and once I was recovered enough my son took me to a patent agent and my fishing invention patent has now been applied for.
My invention is for a new concept rod rest, which is ideal for all fishermen but is also most beneficial for the disabled fisherman. I would be very keen for you to try my invention (I have a good working proto-type) and let me have your opinion. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Bill Southerden
Hi Bill, We are not planning to do rod rests in the near future at Total Fishing Gear. I would suggest contacting one of the big companies involved in pleasure or match fishing accessories - Drennan or Preston innovations spring to mind. Sorry about the delay in replying - I have received a mountain of e-mails and it has taken me weeks to wade through them all. Thanks for getting in contact and good luck with your invention.
Matt
Matt, I can't get my head round one of your casting techniques; this is when casting to ensure you hit the same spot bang on every time you put the line in the line clip on the spool. How does this work when fishing for carp? I understand the bait will drop at the same distance every time but what happens when you get that screaming run. My vision is that after about 2 yards your rod takes off like a scud missile and lands in the drink. Is this correct or am I missing the point, I use bait runner reels and when a carp screams off with my bait I need 5 seconds (drop fag, kick drink over, grab rod) by this time the fish has gained 6 yards.
It would be great to have your advice because I'm sure my results would be far better with accurate casting, when fishing for carp we spend so much time doing our home work and baiting the targeted area it would be nice to put a hook bait bang on more than once in a while.
Thanks, DAVE
Hi Dave, I use the line clip but mark your line so that you can unclip when you have made the cast. The technique is: Make the cast with the clip, tie a stop knot in the tip ring of the rod. Unclip. Get run. Recast anywhere will do as long as the stop knot comes out through the rings). Wind knot back into tip ring. Clip. Wind in and make the re-cast. I use Fox Marker Braid to make the stop knot - it is bright yellow and can be seen easily in the dark.
Matt
Hi Matt, Your program the great rod race is fantastic. Will you be bringing it out on DVD? Also I would like to thank you for all the tips you have given me. And also mainstream is ace. Is there any chance you could come to Lincoln, and say hello .once again thanks, keep up the good work.
All the best, Tim.
Hi Tim, Thanks for watching the shows, I appreciate it! I have no immediate plans to come to Lincoln because I have a busy filming schedule for the next few months but I will probably get there at some point.
Matt
Hi Matt, I would like to know how you first started your fishing show on home and leisure.
Thanks, Anthony Bruno.
Hi Anthony, Sorry about the delay in replying to this - I somehow missed it when going through my e-mails. I started my filming career about seven or eight years ago when I did a mini series for Sky Sports called 'Fish Tales.' Discovery then approached me and I made four series of Total Fishing followed by Mainstream, Buena Vista Fishing Club, Wet Nets and then, more recently, The Great Rod Race. Thanks for watching the shows.
Matt
Hi Matt, I was just wondering if you could tell me how different (tactics) and difficult it is to fish for carp in winter compared to summer.
I live in Belfast and there are only 3 places that I can fish in the whole of Northern Ireland for carp which have proved to be very difficult waters. Therefore I was planning a trip to England to try and achieve my goal.
Would it be a good idea to fish around early winter or later on in March? A venue is the next thing I wanted to ask you about, I was on the net looking at Linear Fisheries it looks a cracking place but may prove to be a bit too far to travel for a weekend trip. Therefore I was wondering if you know any good fisheries in the North that fish well through out the year.
I am currently using source boilies, have you ever used them? If so do you think they could be used as an all seasons bait? One last thing how did you get to where you are now as you are probably living every anglers dream? Certainly mine anyway.
I thank you for your time, keep up the good work.
Ryan.
Hi Ryan, I could write a book answering your questions. I got where I am through a bit of hard work and some good fortune. I got a chance to make some fishing videos and it all went from there. Anyhow, I would much prefer to fish for carp in March than in the early winter. Winter fishing can be hard but if we get a mild back-end, the fishing can be great. Having said this, you won't catch unless you have a bait in the water and any fishing is better than no fishing. I don't know of anywhere offhand that fits the bill but I am sure that if you surf the web you will find a place to target. In winter, I keep the freebies to a minimum. I fish with small fluro pop-ups (usually Hinders pink squid) a lot. I use these either as single hook baits cast to areas where I see signs of fish or with a tiny PVA bag containing Hinders mini-betaine pellets.
Fishing sweetcorn is very underrated in winter - especially in the margins. I feed a couple of pults of the real stuff and use plastic corn, just a single grain, popped-up on a size ten hook. There are times in the winter when you can give the carp a lot of bait but these times tend to be few and far between and recognising these windows only comes with experience. Concentrate on using small clusters of bait and watch the water really hard for signs of fish. Around sunken trees is good in winter, dying reedbeds etc., Also, in the absence of anything else, the big chuck into the centre of the lake often works. If you see a fish show, either leaping, bubbling or head and shouldering, wind in, put a mini-bag on and chuck straight at the target area.
Matt
Dear Matt, My husband watches all you’re fishing programmes and would like to purchase a pair of Polaroid sunglasses which you often wear. Are these you own product or can you tell me where I can purchase some of the same, as it's his birthday Saturday and I would love to surprise him with a pair? Look forward to hearing from you.
Mrs Michelle Smith
Hello Michelle, I wear Oakley sunglasses and they can be purchased in most big shopping centres. If the glasses are for fishing, it is best to buy glasses with polarising lenses because these reduce the glare and make it easier to see down into the water, reduce eye fatigue etc., Oakley have a website - best to look at it and decide which style you think is best. Failing this, Tightlines and Fishtec do an excellent range of Bolle sunnies - they are cool, trendy and very effective. To order them, either log onto the Fishtec website or ring o1874 612800
Matt
Dear Mr. Hayes, What methods and bait would you recommend for fishing the River Severn at Worcester? Unlike most I just want to catch fish it doesn't matter on species or wait; as I long as I enjoy it although saying that catching just one barbel would be nice!
What advice could you give me as I'd like to start match fishing but due to a problem I have I can't thread anything onto my line my wife has to do it. Is there anyway she could accompany me or I could get round this problem? Also on a match theme how long on average does it take you to set up your rod?
Thank you, Simon Clews
Hi Simon, I can't imagine that you would be allowed to enter regular matches with someone else helping you rig up and stuff - it kind of goes against the grain of match fishing rules. Having said this, some of the carp matches are now being held for pairs and you might be able to enter one of these. Catching fish on the Lower Severn is relatively straightforward. Fish the blockend feeder with either maggot and hemp or caster and hemp. Fish a heavy feeder so that it holds bottom one third to half way out and use a six pound hooking around two and a half feet long with a size twelve strong hook baited with three casters. Fill the big blockend with bait and keep casting at the same spot. If you want barbel, fish the pellets. Use 5 or 6mm Halibut pellets as feed with the odd bigger 10mm pellets scattered in. Bait with a dropper or catapult and ledger a large hair-rigged halibut pellet over the top. You will have to drill the bait to get the needle through to hair rig it. Using pellets you should catch barbel. Fish one third across to middle and concentrate on fishing late afternoons and evenings going into dark.
Matt
Hi Matt, I’m 16 years old and I am interested in trout fishing. I generally tend to fish on Loch Conn in Ireland. I don’t know if you’ve ever fished there but if you know of it I fish at the Pontoon Bridge end. I never get the chance to fish from a boat, only the shore. I was wondering if there are any areas I should specifically target to catch the fish and what baits would you recommend other than fly fishing. Also where would trout usually be situated on a river.
I think your shows great and when I get experienced enough I may even attempt the rod race myself. Glad to see it went well for you.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Kieran.
Hi Kieran, Sorry, but I have never fished on Lough Conn. Your best bet is to get in touch with your local tackle shop and try to find a local expert who can help you. I am sure that as well as fly fishing, you could try some spinning from the shore on the lough. This would probably work. As far as the location of river trout is concerned, I suggest that you get hold of a good book on the subject. Peter o Reilly has written some good books about fishing and fly fishing in Ireland.
Matt
Hi Matt, On seeing your new series to catch every kind of fish in UK. This jogged my memory .just a bit of background I am 58 years old I first went fishing with my dad when I was aged 7. For the last 25 years I have 2 or 3 times a year had a boating/fishing holiday on the broads. About 15 years ago I was fishing from our holiday boat moored up at Ranwoth Staith at the end of Ranwort Broad. I caught a fish that I had never seen before it was a greeny brown mottlely fish about7 inches long I showed a couple of fishermen on the next boat and they had never seen one before. The wife and family wanted to move off so I had to return the fish without proper authentication. From time to time I have looked in books but never seen the like Just this week I saw picture of a Burbot that looked remarkably like my fish could this possible be one?
Many thanks, Trevor Halls.
Hi Trevor, No, I don't think it was a burbot because as far as I know they are a freshwater species. It sounds like some sort of blenny or goby to me. Alternatively, it could have been a small ling - I would imagine that a baby ling would look like a burbot.
Matt
Hi Matt, I would like to know if it is possible to fish with a swimfeeder on a match rod? If so what is the best way to attach it to the main line.
PS - I'm planning a fishing trip to "Hucklesbrook Lakes" in the new forest, have you fished there. If so do you have any tips? I love all your shows; you’re by far my favourite angler on T.V.
Thanks, James Mountford (14)
Hi James, It is not wise to fish with a swimfeeder on a match rod because the rod is designed to cast floats and not heavy weights. The problem is not playing the fish, it is casting the feeder. If you use a very light feeder and don't try to fish too far out you should be able to get away with it but if you want to do a lot of feeder fishing, I suggest you get a proper feeder rod.
Matt
Hi Matt, I fish my local canal in Hemel Hempstead its called Boxmoor Canal. I had some nice perch out at first. But I fished my canal a week later and all I got were American crayfish I’ve tried different swims but just get pestered by them. Can you please help me as I am thinking of hanging my rods up? As I can’t drive as for medical reasons so I can only fish my local canal. Please could you help tell me what I can do to avoid them?
Thank you, Terry.
Hi Terry, The crayfish are active during the warmer months. To avoid them, fish your bait off the bottom. Feed little and often with chopped worm and fish with worm on the hook, suspended perhaps eight to ten inches off the deck and you should get perch but no crays. At this time of the year, the perch tend to feed early and late in low light.
Matt
Hi Matt, Love your show on the fishing channel. Your recipes are stunning too. I'm having a problem with my tench fishing, every time I fish for tench even when I fish with big baits like sweetcorn I still get plagued with roach or rudd. Although they are usually decent sized fish it gets really annoying. How can I stop these roach and rudd from troubling me all day?
P.S You have the best job in the world!!!!
Ryan O'Leary
Hi Ryan, You could try using really big baits such as bunches of lobworms or even boilies. Very big or big, hard baits will slow down the nuisance fish, although you may still catch a few persistent nuisances. I can't help thinking though that if you can really get the tench feeding they will push some of the other fish out. Check out Angling Times in the next few weeks - I am doing a series of supplements that will be given away with the paper and one of them is about tench, tactics for the species and bait approaches. You will find it interesting.
Matt
Dear Matt, Could you please give me some advice on what boilies to use for barbel and a good paste recipe? The baits I normally use are meat corn casters hemp all these produce fish but the fish are too used to them.
Thanks, Dean.
Hi Dean, Get on the pellets. Halibut pellets are what you want. Feed 5 or 6mm pellets and include a scattering of bigger 10mm baits. Drill out the 10mm pellets and hair rig them. The barbel go crazy for these pellets - get on them before everyone else does and the bubble bursts!
Matt
Matt, I have re-discovered fishing after a break of thirty years. I have seen many of your fishing programmes and think they are excellent. I have an idea for a fishing programme which is interesting and intriguing. Would you be interested in discussing this idea?
Regards, Greg
Hi Greg, Your best bet would be to contact Discovery Home and Leisure or you could e-mail me the basic idea through this channel. I will give you the best advice I can regarding the idea and whether it stands a chance of getting commissioned or not. Alternatively, ring Discovery on 0207 462 3600.
Matt
Hi Matt, Could you please tell me the make of that green rod rest you use on Wet Nets, and where I can get one?
Many thanks, Norman
Hi Norman, It is a Boss Rod Rest that I bought years ago. I have had an incredible number of requests like yours and the answer is always the same - I don't know where you can get one. We are working on a new rod rest design at TFG that is even better. Should be out by Christmas. Check out the TFG website on www.totalfishinggear.co.uk
Matt
Hi Matt, I am a thirty year old plus, Housewife who was made to watch all the Fishing programs on sky. Which I found impossible to understand, then on came wet nets, and now after years of suffering as a Fishing widow I have taken up the sport. I would like to know, which tackle do you recommend for a total beginner, and which fish are easier to catch as my strike rate is not that great. I have caught some bream, and tench. My biggest was a 3lb Bronze bream. Looking forward for your advice, from a great fan of yours.
Ally.
Hi Ally, Great to hear that you have been inspired to have a crack at fishing. To be honest, I think that it is best to start with general float fishing - this teaches you how to cast, strike and play fish and also how fish can be caught at different depths of water. For commercial fisheries, I would recommend using the TFG Iron and Velvet float rod. Use the rod with a decent medium size fixed spool reel loaded with 4lb line right up to the lip of the spool. Get a few insert wagglers, some shots, and hooks to nylon in sizes 12, 14, 16 and 18 and a plummet. Learn how to use the plummet properly and to be able to get the depth setting on your float dead right. Most of the time you want to be fishing with the bait a few inches overdepth but sometimes on these commercials, a bait no more than an inch over is perfect.
Using the plummet correctly is one of the key skills in fishing. Attach the float bottom end only with 80 percent of the shot around the base of it, balanced up so that you have the same amount of shot either side. Down the line, put a number six or a number eight every two feet with the last shop some ten inches from the hook. There is so much to general float fishing that I thoroughly recommend that you subscribe to Improve Your Coarse Fishing Magazine. It teaches fishing skills every month with the aid of photos and diagrams - it is far more able to convey vital info than I am able to by e-mail. Check out my TFG website on www.totalfishinggear.co.uk there is a forum on the site and I regularly answer members' questions.
Matt
Hi Matt, I’m off to a place in France in September called Etangs De Breton and was wondering what would be the best rig and bait for out there. Also there are not only big carp in there but also big cats (there was a 40lb out one of the lakes last month) I have only been into carp fishing for about two years and have very basic tackle but would not mind investing in new tackle. If you could help me with rigs and baits I would be very grateful.
Keep up the good work we all count on you.
Bezza.
Hi Bezza, Fairly simple semi-fixed rigs work well on most French lakes. I use a Nash or Korda Safety clip, three to four ounce lead and twenty five pound Merlin hooklinks with a knotless knot arrangement. Having said this, every lake is different and it pays to find out as much as possible about what works at the lake you are visiting. If I were you, I would buy a few carp mags over the next month or so and have a look at some of the rigs contained in them. Straightforward rigs are what you want and because you probably be using boilies I would look for decent boilie set-ups. As a standard approach, fishing boilies over hemp and maize always works well in France but there are occasions when tiger nuts do well or maybe maize on the hook. I am sure that there must be some good videos on carping overseas. Try to buy a video that has been made in the past couple of years - not an ages old one. It is difficult to get information of a technical nature across in this format but I am sure that if you surf the web you will find some good, well-illustrated stuff about French carping.
Matt
Hi Matt, I’ve seen you using a type of lead that is modified to make it better for Method (attaching paste and groundbait) type fishing. I have looked all over the web and can't find anything like it. I was hoping that you now what it is and where to buy it, or some information on a similar item
Thanks, Durie.
Hi Durie, The feeder is a standard Fox Feeder as far as I can recall. The modification is making it into a helicopter rig - I do this myself - you can't buy it. The Fox and Korda method feeders are excellent - the best I have used.
Matt
Hi Matt, I can't get my head round one of your casting techniques; this is where when casting, to ensure you hit the same spot bang on every time, you put the line in the line clip on the spool. How does this work when fishing for carp? I understand the bait will drop at the same distance every time but what happens when you get that screaming run. My vision is that after about 2 yards your rod takes off like a scud Missile and lands in the drink. Is this correct or am I missing the point. I use bait runner reels and when a carp screams off with my bait I need 5 seconds (drop fag, kick drink over, grab rod) by this time the fish has gained 6 yards. It would be great to have your advice because I'm sure my results would be far better with accurate casting, when fishing for carp we spend so much time doing our home work and baiting the targeted area it would be nice to put a hook bait bang on more than once in a while!
Thanks, Dave
Hi Dave, I think that you will find that when I explain this I also cover how to deal with runs. It is very complicated to explain it here but basically, the line is marked with a stop knot. Cast to the spot, using the clip. Tie a stop knot in your tip ring with some fluro marker braid or fly line backing Unclip Get run and land fish. Recast out into the middle of nowhere until the stop knot clears the tip ring Wind the knot back to the tip ring. Clip up. Cast until the line comes against the clip. Unclip Repeat
I hope this explains everything - if not I ma sure that it is explained in the Fox Carp videos.
Matt
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