New to Pole Fishing

[Guest GlennB]

Quite right, "concerned". If you'll look up the thread you'll see me talking about "..big mistake..light pole..right tool for the job.." etc. Although I'd never caught anything bigger than about 3lbs in many trips to that lake I should have given myself more safety margin. But you live and learn, eh?

As a matter of interest the next time I'm out spinning for perch I'll beef up the tackle so it can cope with any pike that happen to take an interest. Then of course someone's bound to chip in and call that 'unsporting' on the perch, no?

However, I still see a relentless series of articles in the angling press (e.g. this week's A.M., pages 29/42/55 just at a casual glance) where people are pole-fishing for carp right up to reed beds, bushes etc. Even the strongest kit will not stop a good fish pulling out several feet of elastic and therefore standing a good chance of digging into the reeds or whatever.

Now, I'm not that experienced an angler and I do take note of what I see others doing in the angling press, assuming that they're a 'responsible' bunch. If it's a generally held opinion that carp/poles/features are a bad mix, why do I see so much of it happening in print? Why do I see specialist carp pole floats being marketed as being able to survive getting dragged through the reeds? Maybe you should be writing tothe manufacturers.

Of course, this discussion raises some interesting points on fish safety, like:

Is it wise for a match angler pole fishing for roach etc on a canal to use a no.3 elastic and 1lb hooklength when a good carp or tench might wander by?

Can barbed hooks ever be justified, given that there's always a chance of getting broken by that unexpectedly large fish that will then have a lot of trouble getting rid of that hook?

Should solo carp anglers fish multiple rods when a simultaneous take would leave them and the fish with big problems?

Should anglers ever livebait? I mean, does that little roach that's being pretty much condemned to death deserve less respect than the big carp that we don't want to see tearing itself up in the reeds?

I dunno.

I'm sure we all do what seems reasonable at the time, but catering for the most extreme of the unexpected would make most angling a pretty clumsy business.

 

cheers

 

Glenn

[Guest nigel]

Thankyou for your help

Originally posted by David:

I find if you look after your pole they last a lot longer ie, I was mine in the bath to get rid if the small grit and dirt. Also ensure you only use elastic that is meant for that pole your pole might only be able to take a number 8 elastic do not put a 14 elastic in as it will not take it. Rigs are very easy and can be found in David Halls Match angler, or pole angler.Also there are some good videos on the market on pole fishing, Ian Heaps did some good ones? If possible get a pole roller, towel or rod bag to ship your pole back onto saves a lot of wear and tear. And lastley have fun?