Zander

[grahamdaubney]

I read in the AT ths week the normal stories of zander fishing being best at night on fresh natural baits,I've often found the reverse to be true especially in winter where I've had my best results in the day and on seabaits,the average size being high.In fact it wouldn't bother me in winter if I had no naturals.Anyone else with similar experiences?

[Colin Brett]

grahamdaubney:

I read in the AT ths week the normal stories of zander fishing being best at night on fresh natural baits,I've often found the reverse to be true especially in winter where I've had my best results in the day and on seabaits,the average size being high.In fact it wouldn't bother me in winter if I had no naturals.Anyone else with similar experiences?

Graham,

Are you actively targeting Zander? What Sea baits are you using?

I don't actually set out to catch Zander and can claim great success as well. In fact I think I am more successful at that branch of the sport than anything.

However I have caught a few but never on a Sea bait, spoons and plugs yes. So where am I going wrong.

 

Colin

[grahamdaubney]

At first,no,I wasn't actively targetting them,regarding it to be a fluke.Over the years though it happened a lot more often and these days I catch most of my winter zander on herring,mackeral and sardine.This is all winter daytime fishing,a mobile approach with floats.

[Steve Burke]

This is very interesting, Graham. How fresh are your deadbaits, and do you fish them static? Are you using wire traces, and if so what type and breaking strain?

 

Do you catch many perch? I've very rarely had perch on static sea baits, and only one of these was over 2lbs. However, I have had a few on wobbled sprats, but all in all I'd say seabaits aren't worth the effort for perch.

 

I don't know whether it's the taste of seabaits that puts perch off, or whether these baits have to be ultra-fresh. However, I do know they hate wire traces.

[grahamdaubney]

Hello Steve,

The baits are normally just over the counter Morrisons.I do use traces,generally Drennan 20lb,as obviously on the fen you get your share of pike as well.I normally adopt a mobile approach with floats,fishing static baits under them,giving each swim probably forty five minutes.Once a fish is caught I'll sit on it for a while as I,ve found the zander can be very localised with a lot of the drain seemingly fishless.What has surprised me is the average size on seabaits,I can't recall one under eight pounds and I've had them to over fourteen.

[grahamdaubney]

Sorry,forgot to reply about the perch.No,I've never had any but the tackle is probably a little coarse.

[Warren Gaunt]

Graham,

 

What sea baits are you using? I've had limited success on one particular bait. As far as Sardine/herrings etc etc go i've done no good, lots of pike to 20lb, but no zeds. This is normally fishing a good few trips through the winter months on the Level and the Channel. Are you float fishing them on the bottom or just off?

Maybe something to do with the lack of prey fish at the moment would be my guess. Anyhow, good stuff.

[dave_h]

Thats what i like about fishing "the Un-Expected" A Zander on a Herring!! who would have guessed it!!

Well done mate , and lets hope you catch many more!

Good Luck

[grahamdaubney]

Warren,

Mackeral and herring have been the most consistant baits fished hard on the bottom.

[Warren Gaunt]

Interesting, done no good on them what so ever. Saying that, only had one trip up there last year, maybe there switching to sea baits now with the lack of prey fish as i said above. Will be doing a few trips this year after a visit to the local fishmonger and no doubt in the company of the fishmongerer Phil Smith!!!

JK Phil ;o)