New'ish' to Fishing

[Callist]

Hi,
I had gone fishing as I was younger (nothing serious). I am now in the mood to start fishing back up and hopefully get into it a lot more this time.

I know how to set my line up very basic and what not.. but I have a few questions I would like to ask if that would be ok :).

- What size hook would be best for my 'beginner' status? I honestly dont know what fish I would like to catch, but the bait I would use is either Maggots or Sweetcorn.

- I know how to set the line very basic, i.e. use a Plummet to get the float to the right depth and then shot the line. However, if I want to fish a little higher off the ground, how is this done?

- Where would be the best place to cast in a lake? any general rule or just try the luck?

Thanks alot. :)

P.S - If it matters I use an expandable telescopic rod with a float.

[scottish_and_mental]

from my days fishing the lakes in Germany for bream and roach - both on the float and with swimfeeder i don't think i ever used a hook other than a size 18 !
As for the float depth its either know the water and its depth or plummet to find the depth and then just set your float stop ( or rubbers for a fixed float back by the desired amount )..
As for the areas tp fish its always worth looking for prominent features such as lily pads or the like and fish tight up to these ..
I guess it depends on the species you are after but i used to stand waist deep in the lake and just whack the float out and see what happened ( the Havel is in the tens of miles long region mind you )
Im sure more experienced coarse anglers will advise you better tho mate
Welcome to the forum too

[Maddison_Twatter]

Some good advice from scottish,
Just get out there m8 and it will all come with time. you will discover what fish you want to target, then you can model your set up around it. Its hard to explain everything on here so just take a walk round the lake and im sure most of the guys on there will be happy to help you.

[Callist]

Thanks for the great advice there :)!

I was wondering.. what strengh line should I be aiming for in general? I need to buy some new line, as I can only imagine that my old line has weakend over time! (plus I cant remember it's strengh) :)

Thanks.

[Maddison_Twatter]

Originally Posted by Callist

Thanks for the great advice there :)!

I was wondering.. what strengh line should I be aiming for in general? I need to buy some new line, as I can only imagine that my old line has weakend over time! (plus I cant remember it's strengh) :)

Thanks.

Again it depends on what fish you are targeting , and what the terrain and features of the lake are, lets have some more info and well try and help

[Callist]

Originally Posted by Maddison_Twatter

Again it depends on what fish you are targeting , and what the terrain and features of the lake are, lets have some more info and well try and help

Hmm, the thing is, I dont know what I want to catch. I would like to catch a bit of everything.. (if that is even possible?). The terrain I am not so sure of either as I have not yet decided which lake I would like to fish at (not the best of starts, I know).

To begin with I really would just like an overall fish for 'anything' relaxing type of style if possible.

I really appreciate the help, thanks.

[Maddison_Twatter]

I suppose the key thing is not to fish too heavy to start with, try using 4lb line for a start and if you find you are catching bigger fish then keep a spare spool with some 6lb line and change over when you see fit. use a standard float set up nothing too complicated(use google for a diagram) ,and try double maggot on a size 18, Invest in a catapult and start trickling a few maggots around your float, if you do not catch something this way I will be suprised. As for depth just experiment, its just a case of sliding your float up or down until you are happy. When you get more confident you can maybe use a size 14 or 16 hook with some sweetcorn using the same trickle method ,this may tempt the bigger tench or roach ect.
hope this helps, feel free to ask more questions and I will help if I can

[BoldBear]

What is the dominant species in your lake?
Ask around to see what everyone is setting out their stool for, don’t ask the guys lying on their bedchairs behind electronic alarms unless they are catching, in anycase they would be using tackle that is too strong for what you need to start with and most will be happy with one fish which is not what you are after.

If the dominant species are Roach, Rudd, small Tench, small Crucian, small Bream etc. then a light 12 or 13ft float rod with a small fixed spool reel loaded with 3 to 4lb line, 2lb hook length (or smaller), a size 18 hook and a waggler that is just big enough to easily cast where you want to.

If the dominant species are larger Tench larger Crucians, small to medium Carp (5 to 15lbs etc. then I would recommend a slightly heavier rod like a commercial float rod which is made for fishing commercial fisheries which are stuffed with small Carp.
With this I would step up your line strength to around the 6lb mark with a 5lb hook length and a size 14 hook which is ideal for a large grain of corn or a 6mm soft pellet (hook size to match bait used).

Try looking for features near lilly pads, weed beds, rush beds or near to islands and ask the anglers who are catching well if there are hidden features under the surface such as steps or bars as all of these features will normally hold fish.

Finally the following diagrams show the standard shotting patterns for a waggler on shallowish water up to around 6ft to 8ft.


or if there is wind drift sink your line and try one of the following shotting patterns to help prevent too much drift:



Hope this has helped a bit

Tight lines

Keith (BoldBear)

[Callist]

Very useful advice from alot of you guys, thanks a ton.

There is a fishery by me which has several different ponds, here is what they claim is in each and how it is set up:

Pond 1

Match Bookings available.
Generally level, firm bottom 3 1/2' - 6' deep.
Carp 1/2 - 24lb, Bream 5lb, Chub 3lb, Barbel 5lb, tench 3lb, Ide 3lb, Roach 1lb, Rudd 1lb.

Pond 2

Two acre pond, tree lined.
Main specimen lake, no match booking.
4' - 12' deep, gravel bars
Carp 34lb, Catfish 42lb, Tench 8lb, Bream 10lb, Eels 6lb.

Pond 3a

Long narrow, tree lined 1 1/2 acre pond, 3' - 5' deep, silt bottom.
Carp 22lb, Tench 5lb, Bream 6lb, Eels 7lb + Roach, Perch, Rudd etc.

Pond 3

Largest of the lakes, 3 acres, tree lined, 3' - 6' deep silt bottom, 3 islands.
Carp 25lb, Tench 6lb, Bream 7lb, barbel 4lb + Roach, Rudd, Perch etc.

Pond 4

Match Fishing allowed.
Round pond 1 acre, reed fringed, 6' - 16' deep hard bottom.
Carp 25lb, Tench 4lb, Bream 4lb, Chub 5lb, Crucians 3lb, Ide 3lb plus a large head of smaller fish.


With the above information, which Pond would you reccomend? When I used to go, I loved Pond 3, mainly due to its asethic looks :) Would this pond be ok? any other tips you could recommend via this pond?

Seriously though guys, thanks a lot. It feels like I have learnt so much just within this one thread. :)

Another thing. I cant seem to quite understand the mechanics behind how moving the float upwards or downwards adjusts where the hook is settling at (i.e. bottom feeding or a foot higher etc) Wouldn't the float just lay flat if raised higher when it's depth has been set? or am I confusinf myself here?

Thanks

[scottish_and_mental]

Originally Posted by Callist

Another thing. I cant seem to quite understand the mechanics behind how moving the float upwards or downwards adjusts where the hook is settling at (i.e. bottom feeding or a foot higher etc) Wouldn't the float just lay flat if raised higher when it's depth has been set? or am I confusinf myself here?

Thanks

remember the float without any shot will sit flat on the water just like say a leaf......adding the lead makes it sit up or 'cock' by forcing the float to be sunken slightly in a vertical manner.....
If the shot you add is sat on the bottom then there is no pull on the float ( you could add a car battery and it wouldnt matter )..
If you set up the float and it sits flat..you are generally fishing it too deep and the line is on the bottom..
If the float disappears under the water then its weighted too heavy and is sinking untill the lead shot is on the bottom.
In BoldBears diagram the float is set at the right depth and the hooklength is free from shot and yes if the same set up was used in 20ft of water i'd guess the float would dissapear under..
in 3 foot of water it would sit flat !

Think of a boat throwing an anchor........if the rope isnt long enough the boat will still sit there but will float about freely....( what you want to achieve )..If the rope is long enough it will drop the anchor fast on the bottom and the boat wont move ( what you don't want )

As for the lakes. go with your gut instinct,,fish where you feel happy ..get used to the species again and then spread your wings and begin to experiment with different areas ..
Remember you gotta enjoy it first and foremost and to me , catching anything is just a bonus