Strong currents!

[No_1scouser]

hellooo, was fishin the canal yday an the wind was gustin from left to right, sending the current downstream at a fast rate, as im newish to fishin i only really kno one way to fish an thats on the float, everytime i cast out the current would take my float straight bk into the lillys infront of me an it was so frustratin, every minute i would be casting back out hoping id get a bite before it reached me again, i was just wondering if ther is any way to stop your float being dragged everywer?? i tried weighing down my bait an fishin on the bottom hopin that would hold it but it never, any advice would be great thanks :)

[chazyboi]

try a bodied waggler more shot and bit more stable trick i use is a back shot above the float couple of foot to sink the line also use sinking line if there is a current though it would be hard unless you float ledger to keep bait still other method pole fish

[BoldBear]

Originally Posted by No_1scouser

hellooo, was fishin the canal yday an the wind was gustin from left to right, sending the current downstream at a fast rate, as im newish to fishin i only really kno one way to fish an thats on the float, everytime i cast out the current would take my float straight bk into the lillys infront of me an it was so frustratin, every minute i would be casting back out hoping id get a bite before it reached me again, i was just wondering if ther is any way to stop your float being dragged everywer?? i tried weighing down my bait an fishin on the bottom hopin that would hold it but it never, any advice would be great thanks :)

It is difficult to give you an answer because of fishing a canal. It depends on whether the water was flowing (ie. With Locks opening and closing all the time or an overflow or stream entering or exiting the canal near you) or whether the water was still and it was just the wind and undertow causing the problem.

Usually on stillwaters we lower the bulk shot and use the undertow on them to hold the float still against the surface tow which is usually moving in the opposite direction, however holding the float still in moving water like a canal is more tricky especially in a downstream wind and would normally rely on fishing hard on the bottom using a very slightly thicker float stem and fishing with your line sunk below the surface away from the surface drag caused by the wind; so using a sinking line is quite important. The slightly thicker float stem will not be dragged under quite so easily when held back by the shot on the bottom.
To sink your line put your rod tip under the water and flick your rodtip while winding in a turn or two.
Putting a small shot a few inches above your float also helps to keep you line between the float and the rod sunk.

Failing that using a longer rod or pole to hold back your float immediately below the tip will be the only obvious answer, or changing over to using a very small link leger on a light quivertip .

[No_1scouser]

first of all the advice is great peeps thanks alot i really do appreciate it,
i dont actually fish on the canal near any locks within a few mile radious, i generally think it was jst strong wind blowin right across. i hate to sound really nooby ere but cud u elaborate on the bulk shot and undertow for me pls? iv been readin up so much recently im jst trying to take all the relevant information in an get a good understanding...
Is an ultra self cocker or a waggler the wrong floats to be using in them conditions? an i use 0.4 shots either side to weight it down then throw tiny little weights down by the hook to sink my bait, shud i put them tiny little weights above my float like u say to sink the line between rod an float? an just be carefull wen it comes to casting? sorry again if im askin ovbious questions.. THANKS again

[BoldBear]

Here is a diagram showing both a standard method of shotting a waggler and also two different shotting methods for combatting wind.
NB. Addng a small shot above the float can also help to sink your line but is not essential.
To sink your line just lower your rod tip under the surface then after winding in any slack; strike sharply upwards.

A long stemmed bodied waggler is ideal.



I hope this helps.

Keith (BoldBear)