Round Table #1
Targeting Tricky Low Stocked & Syndicate Waters
Welcome to the 1st instalment of the Hydra Baits Round Table. These discussions will be based around a particular topic, be it current affairs in carping or just an overall “discussion” to gather opinions/ideas about a particular aspect of fishing from the team at Hydra in order to pass the knowledge/tips to the user(s).
Following the recent successes for Hydra team members on their syndicate/target waters we thought it would only be appropriate for some of the team who are fishing syndicates or targeting specific fish in their water to take some time & pass on some of the knowledge that they have acquired during their long hair pulling blanks & the euphoric highs.
The team was asked for responses to 5 questions regarding targeting low stocked & syndicate waters. These questions were: -
· What are your main thoughts about targeting a trickier water for the first time?
· You have been on the water for a few sessions and are still to catch. Would you ever consider a change to your approach?
· What importance would you put on “outside influences” such as moon phases, weather etc.?
· What are your feelings towards pre-baiting “unfavoured” swims and launching a “campaign”?
· Do you have any stories of “out of the box” thinking methods that have been employed in pursuit of your target fish?
What are your main thoughts about targeting a trickier water for the first time?
“Research & homework first walk the water a good few times and speak to the guys already on there, then piece together the jigsaw from the false info fed” – anonymous
“Get to know the venue. Dates/Times of captures, known hot spots. Speak to the squirrels to gain as much info as possible and spend as much time at the venue” – Richard Freeman
“1st and foremost polaroid glasses look & look even hard. 2nd if you’re doing the night get up at 4am and watch the water for showing fish & bubblers. 3rd look even harder” – Mark Ellicock
“Speak to bailiffs or local tackle shops. But do plenty of walking around the lake dropping a bit of bait in” – Craig Challinor
You have been on the water for a few sessions and are still to catch. Would you ever consider a change to your approach?
“Yes, but each rod would be fished on differing tactics from the start to see if one had better responses” – anonymous
“Yes always open approach, go with various methods until one starts to produce” – Richard Freeman
“No I never second guess an approach that worked before BUT new products can help fine tune an approach for me this has happened in the shape of Korda chod dropper bead” – Mark Ellicock
“If you’re confident in your usual approach stick to it.. if it aint broke don’t fix it” – Craig Challinor
What importance would you put on “outside influences” such as moon phases, weather etc.?
“Low pressure and westerly/south westerly winds are the starting point” – anonymous
“Pressure yes deffo effect, moon phases debatable” – Richard Freeman
“Never gave the moon any creedance only ever as a joke fish get caught what ever amount of moon you can see or not. Wind can play a big importance in location. Heavy rain has ruined many a good days fishing just because I hate getting soaked” – Mark Ellicock
“Being a weekend angler I don’t have the luxury to worry about this” – Craig Challinor
What are your feelings towards pre-baiting “unflavoured” swims and launching a “campaign”?
“Again part of the jigsaw, “unfavoured” swims will generally produce after a baiting campaign provided the fish are happy to be in the area” – anonymous
“Absolutely, prebaiting would be an essential part” – Richard Freeman
“Unfavoured swims I love ‘em I’ve had some good results from areas of the lake no one wants to fish 9 times out of 10 it’s because they are awkward casting or uncomfortable but the fish don’t care” – Mark Ellicock
“I’ve tried it on club waters to good success..especially on less targeted swims” – Craig Challinor
Do you have any stories of “out of the box” thinking methods that have been employed in pursuit of your target fish?
“A certain water “didn’t respond to mass particle fishing”, until that method was employed and target fish was caught on second session using the method. Quote “only boilies work on here mate” well that’s funny as target was caught on a corn rig fished heli style with single grain of plastic!” – anonymous
“Fishing a well known water I would introduce heavy baiting at 3:30am when the campers were asleep” – Richard Freeman
“During my time on Walthamstow 90% of my fishing was on singles hunting fish but I always fed 3lb of bait when I left on showing fish or my trusted spots” – Mark Ellicock
“Had a lot of success in 2001 by using strawberry paste wrapped around my boilie in a PVA bag filled with pellets mixed with strawberry flavoured milkshake powder and bicarbonate of soda” – Craig Challinor
Hopefully by employing these tips & edges into your own fishing arsenal they should help you track down and catch that elusive target fish on your water.
Tight Lines
The Hydra Team
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