PeterBlair

I was actually gonna do it with a link swivel, so that I can quickly change out hooklengths (also I can attach the plumbline using the same method) really quickly. I'll be sure to let you know when I'm actually gonna get out on the water Thanks again, Peter

Thanks for the further tips guys - especially about feeding the swim. Before I'd never fed the swim when I was fishing float, so now I know another thing I might have been doing wrong. Vagabond, all being well I'll be buying my kit this week, and venturing out either this weekend or early mornings next week Big Al, although it is technically a canal, it's not like your typical inner city canal - it's extremely clean and a lot more like a river (even more so when it opens out to it's widest points.). Just one question about nylon hooklengths... I didn't realise the procedure and hooks used for them was different. I assumed you just used a normal eyed hook and then tied the hook length as if it was a normal mono one... Can anyone direct me to a website or picture for tying nylon hooklengths (tbh I don't even really know what hooks I'm looking for)? Would having a 4lb mono hooklength and 6lb main line do much the same job as a nylon hooklength? Thanks again, Peter

Vagabond, thanks a lot for the reply mate, that really gave me some great ideas for when I go out for my first time. Should I literally just drop the float under the tip of my rod, or should I cast out a bit? Also, should I get a ledger setup and a float setup so that I can fish both at once (hopefully increasing my chances of catching?)? Thanks heaps guys, Peter

Last thing I think I need now Can anyone recommend a book or video which details rig setups (knots, weight setups, where to fish it etc.) for both ledger fishing and waggle fishing?

I don't really know much about rods - I don't really know what makes a good all purpose rod (float and feeder), what sort of length and make should I go for? If I wanted to go for a middle of the range reel (about £40 to £50) what would you recommend? BTW I really appreciate all the help guys Thanks again, Peter

Thanks a lot for the tips Des. I just feel a bit silly just going in without really knowing what sort of stuff I'm looking for. Could someone give me a rough guide to what sort of rod to look for, or recommend me a good rod and reel? What sort of size of hooks and weight of line would be best for the area I'm gona be fishing? What sort of cost is a decent setup going to run me? Thanks, Peter [ 07 July 2002, 06:33 PM: Message edited by: PeterBlair ]

OK, now I know a little more about technique (I only need to find somewhere to learn what rigs to use with a waggler)... Could I have a few tips as to what gear to buy? Everything from a good quality rod and reel, down to what sizes of hooks and weight line to use? In the past I'm guilty of buying my rods from the Argos catalogue <hides in shame>

Thanks Chris... Could anyone recommend any books or videos where I can learn ledger and waggler fishing? This'd give me the basic skills to get out there and at least know I'm doing it right.

Here's the info on the place I fish:- Situated off the Vow road, on the laneway to Movanagher Fish Farm (visitors welcome-Tel 028 2954 0533), this 10m wide and 3m deep canal produces excellent coarse fishing, especially when the Lower Bann is in flood. Access to the pegs is straightforward as the road runs along the canal’s entire length. There are also a number of pegs designed for the wheelchair bound angler. Bream is the main quarry here, averaging 2-4lbs in weight, although roach are also plentiful in the 4-6oz range. Bags of Bream to 90lbs are recorded each year and Roach consistently yield bags of 7-22lbs. The best methods are considered to be pole, waggler and ledgering. In addition to Bream and Roach, Perch and Pike are also found in various parts of this canal. The best pegs are numbers 3-15 and 45 upwards

<feels very stupid> I'm not really sure how to determine what level of the water I was fishing... I think I was fishing sweetcorn and a maggot at the time. I just don't really know how to decide how far to cast out, or know how deep my hook is in the water etc. Or what type of rig to use...

I worry it could be something as simple as using the wrong type of line, or size of hook, or the wrong type of rig

As far as I know the canal is well stocked - the canal is the main waterway off a breeding establishment. And I've seen everyone else pulling fish out all day long, while I sit not catching anything... IIRC the canal has bream, perch, roach and pike. I just don't know what I was doing wrong and if I do take up fishing again, I want to make sure I'm doing everything right (kit and technique) so I'm basically looking for a guide as to what gear to get, and what to actually do when I get to the canal, from setting up (getting a rig prepared and cast out) to knowing when to strike (in the past I've had the float bobble a little but left it because I don't know if it's a definite bite...). Thanks, Peter

I've tried fishing in the past (swimfeeder, float, lure) and had no success whatsoever - not even a bite, regardless of what bait I've tried (luncheon meat, sweetcorn, maggots, worms...). I live in Belfast, but mainly tried fishing up around Ballymoney on the Movanagher Canal - with no success despite the fact I tried every bait known to man and every technique I know! I gave up about 2 years ago and sold off all my gear, but I can't just give up as I really want to fish and catch something! Basically, I was just wondering if you could give me any tips on what I might have been doing wrong, and hopefully help me get kitted out with the gear and techniques that'll actually land me a fish! Thanks a lot for any help you can give me, Peter Blair