Wingham Fish-In dates 2013

[Mat Hillman]

I like eels as well :-). I don't know if I would sacrifice fishing for the perch and tench to fish for the eels instead but I could possibly be pursuaded lol :-)

 

Stick a nice big lob on the hook and you are fishing for all three!

 

Mat

[Dave H]

I like eels as well :-). I don't know if I would sacrifice fishing for the perch and tench to fish for the eels instead but I could possibly be pursuaded lol :-)

Sacrifice Perch for eels at night as you won't get any Perch as i am sure you know.

 

But don't fall in...LOL

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlmdDZCuUTg

Edited May 1, 2013 by Dave H

[3DoorsDown]

I've been reading with interest, so in an attempt to get back on topic, when using worm/ maggot hook bait, what would be your preferred pellet/ groundbait flavour ?

 

Nic

[AddictedToScopex]

I've been reading with interest, so in an attempt to get back on topic, when using worm/ maggot hook bait, what would be your preferred pellet/ groundbait flavour ?

 

Nic

If fishing for eels I use pred plus and fish meal. If I were fishing for tench or bream I would likely opt for something sweeter and less attractive to predators.

[Dales]

I think a number of different methods and baits will work at Wingham and I am not sure there is a right/wrong groundbait to use. Different members will use different groundbaits, pellets, particles in there mixs. A major discussion between members is around food content verses attraction. I tend to favour plenty of flavour over food items and add various sweet liquids, not saying thats the way to go, so if you have a mix that you use on similar waters and you have confidence in it then it's worth taking the tactics to Wingham. I often have fish meal in the mix and bulk it out with crumb. I also like to add ground up boilies and small particles such as hemp and other small seeds.

 

I would encourage those going to fish maggot/worm to give yourself a chance at the big Perch.

[AddictedToScopex]

I think a number of different methods and baits will work at Wingham and I am not sure there is a right/wrong groundbait to use. Different members will use different groundbaits, pellets, particles in there mixs. A major discussion between members is around food content verses attraction. I tend to favour plenty of flavour over food items and add various sweet liquids, not saying thats the way to go, so if you have a mix that you use on similar waters and you have confidence in it then it's worth taking the tactics to Wingham. I often have fish meal in the mix and bulk it out with crumb. I also like to add ground up boilies and small particles such as hemp and other small seeds.

 

I would encourage those going to fish maggot/worm to give yourself a chance at the big Perch.

I am hoping to find one this time. I didnt manage to get among the perch last time. Or anything else other than eels for that matter lol.

[Anderoo]

I don't fish for eels, but I do take an interest in those who do, as it helps me try to avoid them when fishing for other species. Funnily enough - and I'd be interested in other views on this - I don't think eels particularly like fishmeal. I quite happily fish fishmeal groundbaits and baits and don't get pestered by them. In terms of boilies, I get more bother from them on bright sweet boilies than fishmeal 'food' boilies. If I was to fish for them, I would simply bait up with quantities of live/dead maggots and chopped worm, scattered rather than tight piles. I wouldn't bother with groundbait. This is what I've had to stop doing when fishing for other species, as the eels were just too much.

 

For the other species I honestly don't think your choice of flavour or groundbait matters. If others around you are catching and you're not, you're probably fishing the wrong spots in the swim, so try some others (a good reason not to bait up too heavily initially). If most people at your end of the lake aren't catching, there might not be too much you can do except persevere. I understand (from personal experience!) why guests think hard about how to fish before the fish-in, but I would really try hard not to overthink it. Default approach, I would suggest, is a maggot feeder cast to the base of bars. If no fish, try a different spot. If you don't want eels at night, swap to a bit of plastic or a boilie or a bit of corn. Try to keep quiet, and use stout tackle. The fish aren't particularly tackle shy, plus the bars are sharp and the weed will be growing now.

[Steve Burke]

Good post, Andrew. I especially agree with moving the bait around and not feeding heavily to begin with.

 

The only thing I'd add is to fish worm on the hook as I've found they're better than maggots for the Wingham perch.

Edited May 2, 2013 by Steve Burke

[Dales]

I agree with Anderoo dead maggots or chopped worm WILL attract the eels and to a lesser extent going heavy on the live maggots/castors. So if you want eels feed dead maggots. You don't need to be very accurate with the feeding for eels and you can spray them over a large area and you should get a few.

 

I also go along with Anderoo on fish meal for eels, from my experience of fishing Wingham I have not found it a major attraction whether in groundbait or pellet form. If you want an eel feed dead maggots and if you don't want eels avoid it.

 

Feed dead maggots and they will come :-)

[AddictedToScopex]

I don't fish for eels, but I do take an interest in those who do, as it helps me try to avoid them when fishing for other species. Funnily enough - and I'd be interested in other views on this - I don't think eels particularly like fishmeal. I quite happily fish fishmeal groundbaits and baits and don't get pestered by them. In terms of boilies, I get more bother from them on bright sweet boilies than fishmeal 'food' boilies. If I was to fish for them, I would simply bait up with quantities of live/dead maggots and chopped worm, scattered rather than tight piles. I wouldn't bother with groundbait. This is what I've had to stop doing when fishing for other species, as the eels were just too much.

 

For the other species I honestly don't think your choice of flavour or groundbait matters. If others around you are catching and you're not, you're probably fishing the wrong spots in the swim, so try some others (a good reason not to bait up too heavily initially). If most people at your end of the lake aren't catching, there might not be too much you can do except persevere. I understand (from personal experience!) why guests think hard about how to fish before the fish-in, but I would really try hard not to overthink it. Default approach, I would suggest, is a maggot feeder cast to the base of bars. If no fish, try a different spot. If you don't want eels at night, swap to a bit of plastic or a boilie or a bit of corn. Try to keep quiet, and use stout tackle. The fish aren't particularly tackle shy, plus the bars are sharp and the weed will be growing now.

As with a lot of angling it is down to confidence and past experience. If you have found a certain method works for you and you have confidence in it then that is what you will use. If I am fishing a place for the first time I will often use a maggot feeder to begin with as it will catch anything that swims. It is only when you want to try and be more selective that you will try something different.

 

As for placement then of course if you are fishing an area that has no fish holding features you will probably not do quite so well as someone who is fishing a feature such as a gravel bar where natural food accumulates. Fairly standard stuff really. As you say a basic approach is a good start.

 

Last time I came to wingham I overthought it and got way too hung up on what I was doing whereas this time if I get to go I intend to use my instinct as I do everywhere else I go.