is there anything wrong with...........

[Andy Macfarlane]

Just one thing I should mention. Don't choose hooks to match a certain species. There's no such thing as a 'Roach Hook'.

Choose your hooks to match your bait. You'll often hear folk saying they use size 20s for Roach, no matter which bait they're using. A size 20 hook is no use hidden inside a piece of corn, just like a size 8 hook is no use for presenting a single maggot. Whatever species you target, pick a selection of baits and then choose the correct hooks to go with each bait, not the fish.

If I'm Roach fishing I may use a size 20 to present a single maggot or a caster. On the other hand, I might choose a size 8 hook to present 2 pieces of corn. Roach will eat maggots, casters, dendrobes, corn and all manner of varying sized baits. If they can fit something as large as a piece of corn in their mouth, they should have no problem accepting the hook it's correctly presented on. You see? So don't ask for 'Roach hooks' at the tackle shop. Decide which baits you'll be using and choose the correct hook to present that choice of bait.

[big stew 76]

Right im off to have a go! flask packed, tackle sorted and wellies on! im going to a recomended novice lake in north devon called Riverton if anyones around in that area for a fish pop in and tell me where im going wrong!! lol

 

 

cheers stew

[Peter M]

post back and let us know how you get on and even if it didn't go well. today the SW winds should help and using maggots on small hooks should give you a few fish on the bank. Just don't give up the rewards will be there with time.

[big stew 76]

Just call me the roach king!! i had a great day, caught a fish on my second cast! the biggest of the day was about 6" long but size aint everything

 

i came up with the bright idea of putting a few maggots on the hook to see if a bigger fish would take them! this method was floored as i under estimated how greedy fish can be. 3 maggots on a size 16 hook and i pull in the smallest roach of the day! lol i could hardly get the disgorger in past the maggots hanging out its mouth as it looked at me like a fat child with a mouthfull of cake!!

 

now im just waiting for some fair weather then im out again!!

 

cheers for the advice guys it helped me catch fish

 

stew

[Andy Macfarlane]

A pair of mini forceps can be more useful at times than a disgorger. With the forceps, you don't have to negotiate any baits. You simply grab the hook shank, lock the forceps and then ease the hook out with a minimum of fuss.

Well done on catching some winter fish. It's not easy thing in this weather so well done mate. Keep is informed and ask any further questions you come up with.

[Chappa]

Just call me the roach king!! i had a great day, caught a fish on my second cast! the biggest of the day was about 6" long but size aint everything

 

I like your style mate! It's a great feeling pulling fish out when you've little or ne experience to go on. I went out in the cold a couple of weeks ago on my local carp lake and pulled out a lovely common of a couple of lbs, and a nice 5lb mirror, but only once I'd followed my gut instinct and cast my feeder into what looked like an unlikely spot.

I'm going to try trotting maggots on my local river this weekend to see what comes in, just hoping the weather holds out and the fish are in the mood!

 

Well done

 

Chappa