Shotting pattern when trotting a float

[tiddlertamer]

The question I have is whether complicated shirt button patterns actually help when trotting a river such as the Hampshire Avon.

Alternatively, is bulk shotting (my personal preference about 10 inches from the hook) more effective.

The marvelous Bernard Venables wrote and illustrated complicated shirt button style patterns.

The distinguished Richard Walker certainly preferred the bulk shot method.

 

This topic was sparked by seeing something similar posted on the Fishing Magic forum.

Sadly an interesting topic descended into a bit of a name calling bout - not the sort of thing that would ever happen on the more distinguished Anglers Net (LOL)

 

I assume it takes a longer time for shirt button style shotted bait and hook to reach the bottom, thus allowing more of an opportunity for fish to take the bait in the upper and middle layers of the water.

When else is shirt button style effective?

 

Advice given to me from a fantastic river keeper on the Avon was to bulk shot and that has been sound advice in my opinion.

 

What do others here think?

Edited August 19, 2008 by tiddlertamer

[ayjay]

I use both methods, (my own variations anyway) depends on the bait and conditions, fishing maggot or caster I'll often use a graduated shirt button pattern but only on the last three feet of line.

 

Something like 3bb/2bb/1bb/No.4/No.6/.No.8.

 

It tends to look like there's a lot of shot in a shortish length of line but it works often enough for me. Bigger baits I'll usually bulk shot, but using olivettes rather than shot.

 

I'd just add that very few of the swims I float fish on the Avon are more than six feet deep, I would be more likely to bulk shot in deeper swims.

 

Did Dick Walker catch much out of the Avon, (apart from on The Royalty)?

[Guest tigger]

I usually shot shirt button style but as Ajay says only the bottom few feet of line. To be honest most of the rivers I trott in are less than 6 ft deep. At the end of the day I suppose it's a case of what suites you and what works/feels best for the individual.

[gozzer]

Shotting patterns depend on what you are fishing for, what bait you are using, how deep the swim, how fast the flow and even what float your using.

To use just one pattern for all your fishing means you are missing out on the chance of catching some fish. Even a small change in shot position can dramatically increase your catch rate.

 

John.

[Guest tigger]

To use just one pattern for all your fishing means you are missing out on the chance of catching some fish. Even a small change in shot position can dramatically increase your catch rate.

 

John.

 

 

As can a change of hook, bait, line etc. I just said my favoured shot pattern, obviously it's gonna change in some circumstances.

[tiddlertamer]

Shotting patterns depend on what you are fishing for, what bait you are using, how deep the swim, how fast the flow and even what float your using.

To use just one pattern for all your fishing means you are missing out on the chance of catching some fish. Even a small change in shot position can dramatically increase your catch rate.

 

John.

 

 

I recognise that shotting patterns need to be changed to reflect the conditions.

But shirt button style shotting is far removed from bulk shotting. Much is written and said about shotting patterns but these two styles - shirt button and bulk shotting - seem diametrically opposed to each other.

 

To answer your questions:

As to what I fish for - Chub are always welcomed and probably my number one target, big barbel are great if somewhat scary (ahh that 12lb was truly a fish of a lifetime even if I did think I'd hooked the riverbed at first until the riverbed moved...) and a two lb roach would be rather pleasant though if truth be told one and a half pounds bigger than my personal best...

Bait is generally two white maggots on a size 18 hook - at least until that stops working - talking of which does anyone know of eyed size 18 hooks which have an eye which allow the palomar knot?

 

I generally fish a swim on the Avon between four and five feet deep (quite deep compared to the river Lea swims I often inhabit), with a fast flow and I use Avon floats.

 

Occasionally I hit lucky. But only a fool would ignore the advice of his peers...

[Chris Plumb]

I generally favour shirt-button style - unless trotting deep swims - which I rarely do on the Kennet. (Though when I do want to work the bait through deeper reaches I'll often switch to strettpegging). Another advantage I perceive with shotting floats shirt-button style is when you hold back - to allow the bait to flutter up in the current - it will come up higher than if it was bulk shotted (unless of course you want the bait to stay low!)

 

 

C.

[Dan Dan]

I must admit, I get in some confusion when it comes to shotting stick floats correctly. I usually favour the "bulk" method, have 3-4BB about 12 inches from the hook with a no 4 or 6 dropper about 3-4 inches. Shirt pattern just gets me in tangles =/

[Anderoo]

I generally favour shirt-button style - unless trotting deep swims - which I rarely do on the Kennet. (Though when I do want to work the bait through deeper reaches I'll often switch to strettpegging). Another advantage I perceive with shotting floats shirt-button style is when you hold back - to allow the bait to flutter up in the current - it will come up higher than if it was bulk shotted (unless of course you want the bait to stay low!)

 

 

C.

 

I was going to write a reply but Chris did it for me! Again, I generally fish fairly shallow rivers.

[ColinW]

I wouldn't use shot bigger than size 8 for "shirt button" shotting. Firstly, at size 8 you can use lead and secondly, if size 8 aren't heavy enough then the water is probably flowing too fast anyway. It's a loose feed method, once you have to use a bait dropper or groundbait to get maggots or whatever to the bottom within a reasonable trot then there's not much point using it. To me it's a method for summer low levels (some hope!)