Wingham Fish-In Sat May 19th to Mon May 21st

[Steve Walker]

I'm also thinking of coming down Friday evening - may socialise and then kip in the car if there are a few people about.

[Tigger]

Unfortunatly due to being tied up with a loft conversion i'm unable to take time out to attend the fish-in and so didn't apply.

 

Lets hope the weathers good and everyone who's been lucky enough to get an invite enjoys their fishing. I'm lookin forward to the results and pic's etc....tight lines chaps

[Errrm]

Really looking forward to this, thanks for letting me fish it again Steve.

 

So far on each of my previous trips I've managed to catch fish so I'm preparing for an amazing blank this time, my heads confused with rigs that I used to use and now don't like and rigs that I want to use but are tested and haven't really caught any fish yet...... looks like I'm all ready to blank in style ;-)

[Steve Burke]

Really looking forward to this, thanks for letting me fish it again Steve.

 

So far on each of my previous trips I've managed to catch fish so I'm preparing for an amazing blank this time, my heads confused with rigs that I used to use and now don't like and rigs that I want to use but are tested and haven't really caught any fish yet...... looks like I'm all ready to blank in style ;-)

 

One of the best things about Wingham is that because the fish aren't pressured they're not as rig shy as most other waters. Members use all sorts of different rigs and nothing yet stands out.

 

Far more important is feeding and, most of all, fishing the exact right spot in the swim.

[Steve Walker]

Far more important is feeding and, most of all, fishing the exact right spot in the swim.

 

Isn't it just!

 

It's like playing Battleship, when your adversary may or may not be in the room!

[Errrm]

One of the best things about Wingham is that because the fish aren't pressured they're not as rig shy as most other waters. Members use all sorts of different rigs and nothing yet stands out.

 

Far more important is feeding and, most of all, fishing the exact right spot in the swim.

 

I think it's caused by a conversation with Glynn last year, he said the tench seem to prefer smaller baits and watching the Korda underwater films seem to show the tench much prefering smaller/semi-bouyant baits. So far I'm having problems getting a artificial corn rig I'm confident with.

[Steve Burke]

I think it's caused by a conversation with Glynn last year, he said the tench seem to prefer smaller baits and watching the Korda underwater films seem to show the tench much prefering smaller/semi-bouyant baits. So far I'm having problems getting a artificial corn rig I'm confident with.

 

I suppose it depends on what Glyn, a very fine tench angler by the way, means by small baits.

 

Both my 10lb+ tench came on 14x10mm cylindrical boilies fished over various particles including chopped boilies. Most of my earlier big tench came on lobworms, either alone or as a cocktail with dendras, maggots or corn.

 

Whilst the boilie I caught the second double on was tipped with artificial corn, I've never used the latter in isolation so I'm not really qualified to comment.

 

My rigs have varied, but they've always been very simple. I've used both running rigs (with or without a backstop) and semi-fixed leads, but no clear trend has emerged. I do however vary how long the hooklength is depending on my bait, and also what reaction I get to the bites. The only thing I insist on is a hook with an inturned point. With the gravel bottom in many places these stay sharp longer.

 

I'm sure we'd all be interested in the experiences of other Wingham regulars.

Edited May 8, 2012 by Steve Burke

[Dales]

As far as rigs are concerned I would suggest it's best to stick with something that you are comfortable with and has caught you fish before on other waters. You may have to wait a long time for a bite at Wingham and so you don't want to be doubting your rigs and methods. If it works for you on your club/home waters it should work for you at Wingham.

 

Semi fixed and running rigs all work well and I tend to keep things simple and nothing more fancy then a little shrink tubing to improve the angle to turn the hook. Nothing special, if fishing boilies, pellets, plastic baits etc then I tend to use ESP stripetease and remove a little coating and this makes a good rig for both bottom and popped up baits. But saying that I sometimes tie a basic hook on standard mono or soft braid and stick the bait direct on the hook, even in these times of complicated rigs the basic stuff still catch's fish

 

On big or new waters I think the best policy is to stick to what you know and do well.

[jedibond]

Cheers Steve, just got back from a family wedding in Ireland (still recovering) and saw this news, have to start sorting my gear out now !

[Anderoo]

Some of my biggest Wingham tench have come to a simple running maggot feeder - feeder running on the line, bead, swivel, 8lb mono hooklength, maggots straight on the hook. Others have come to fake corn/maggots/caster on a hair and short hooklength and semi-fixed lead. I really don't think it matters, I would follow Dales' advice and do whatever you're most comfortable with. If it's in the right spot you'll catch, I'd spend your efforts trying to find nice little spots to fish accurately to and use whatever rigs you like.

 

I've played around with fake corn rigs for a couple of seasons now and have something I'm happy with; if I get a chance I'll stick a photo up. But I would still stress that it's not the rig that catches the fish at Wingham. Location and baiting is everything.