Zander Fishing scouting session

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Well had a few hours free and thought sod this and with in 30 mins I was sitting on the banks of the gloucester sharpness canal trying hard to get some bait fish.

As I cound not fish into the dark the plan was to catch fresh bait and fish one live bait on a float with a helicopter rig underneath the float and a dead bait up along the bank smack on the first shelve.

Well you guest it I once again a nightmare getting bait fish but in a few hours I had just enough for 5 casts

First the live bait ---
There is something about live bait that will make zander have a go day or night time and as soon has the bait hit the water the zander found and hit it with in 10mins ( during the day time sharpness zander tend to be in the deepest part of the canal in the middle ).I landed one which was tiny bless it and only about 1lb and bumpt two more which were also only about a 1lb. Did not take piccs as not big enough.

Now this is a new venue and seems to hold alot of small zander so maybe you guys could help ? Will this mean the bigger zander move in when darkness falls or should I leave this are alone as its a bit of a nursery and will only produce small zander ?

Anyway the bait did not last that long and once again livebait float ruled big time . Am hoping to do a session till midnight next week just depends on the work load.

So two trips and both hold zander ! So the summer walks do pay off in the winter Just one more place to try hehe

Some pics

My rigs were fine wire and double hooks


Deadbait ready to go - nice a light and not weighed down by trebles ect


Roach


Perch


Chub


Bleak

[pingu]

nice one there richard
interesting hooks there and good pics

[Zanderandy]

Hi, Ive found that upping the bait size to about 4oz can attract the bigger fish, but havent fished any canals for Zeds so I really dont know what size they run to.

Regards Andy

[Fishing Forum Admin]

I recon thats theres a 15lb in this canal but the bigger they go the less they shoal up .I use small baits as they seem to get the shy ones eating but on this day I caught sod all to be choosy although the roach was in the water about 2 mins before it got slamed I like 4oz roach as the best size althoght Ive got a long way to go to be a zander angler propper

[Norfolkboy]

Well done Rich, glad you're getting into a few zeds. You got us some much needed points too

[Zanderandy]

Know exactly what you mean Richard, baitcatching can be a proper nightmare sometimes.

[perch_king]

well done admin you maybe got a little one but least you did not blank and yes what a killer to get fish bait

[terrysmart]

well done rich , seen a 9lb 5oz come out of there in may in the day - they are there mate...

[Fentiger001]

Hi Richard,

Well in mate - location is the major drama in catching them. I find that fishing through the smaller ones can sometimes see you land a half decent one, obviously you'd have had a bit of a drama with only having a few baits. I fished a couple of sessions on the canal back in Nov 97 and had a few upto 6lbs or so, however a mate of mine put a good deal of effort into the water and ended up with a 14lb 8oz fish for his trouble, they are there! Thats was about 6 or 7 years ago. Have you tried jigs yet?

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Not done any jig work for zanders yet but will be giving them a go later in the year