There is nothing more frustrating than turning up to a new water, spending ages doing laps only to see an absolute dolphin show at a range that’s right on your casting limit. We have all been there right? On a recent session on a new water that exact thing happened to me, so, how did I adapt and overcome as they say? Here’s how…
Water size is something that can divide opinion; some people shy away from anywhere that feels somewhat untameable, whereas some anglers – myself included – love the challenge of trying to work out how to nail fish from such vast expanses. I can see why some anglers don’t venture onto these types of waters, especially when they’re low stock – it can feel like a hiding to nothing - as there’s often a huge investment in time required and that in itself demands a unique mindset, which is not always everyone’s cup of tea. That’s fair enough, each to their own. But if you’re longing to step up a level or if large waters are the only option available, then how do you put yourself in the best position to catch.
Let’s just rewind a touch first; I’m based in Yorkshire and although I do travel a lot for fishing – and for my work shooting media for Wychwood – I’m a firm believer that what’s on my doorstep is as good as any carp fishing elsewhere in the UK. One such water that I’ve known about, and even visited in the past with work, is Wintersett, a venue that’s become legendary in Northern carp circles for the quality of the fish that reside in its substantial 120 acres. It’s a big old water; horseshoe-shaped, weedy and crystal clear, relatively shallow yet rich in natural food, and home to some really special old carp. It’s everything you want from a carp water and definitely the kind of place that you could spend a season and see the full spectrum of angling obstacles that big waters throw at you.
Let’s clear one thing up; big waters don’t always mean big casts. Many big water carp have been caught within yards of the bank but when the fish are at distance, how do you stack the odds in your favour?
Gear-wise I have two trusty tools that help; I use my maximiser 12ft 9in rods, teamed up with Extremis 8000 reels. This is my go-to distance setup and is the first step to getting among fish at range. It’s not rocket science to work out that a rod designed for distance work – as the Maximisers are (hence the name) – is going to give you the best chance of reaching fish. Teamed up with a large-spooled reel, you’re now in the game of sending a lead 150yds or more. Before I move on, let’s talk about test curves; it’s true that often a heavier test curve aid casting but rod action is all-important. These are 3.5lb but they’re also much more of a tip action blank, with the power extending further up the rod so you can load it better on the cast.
It's also worth noting that in these instances, a standard mainline will simply not cut the mustard. I always have a set of spare spools loaded with a good quality tapered mainline. If you’ve never used one there’s no magic that happens, it loks like a regular mainline but instead of being one diameter throughout (and therefore one breaking strain) it’s it tapers from, say, 12lb to 30lb, with the heavier and thicker section nearest the lead. This leaves a thinner running line to peel off the spool with less resistance. Resistance and drag are a distance caster’s worst enemy, especially when you’re at the limit of you casting, so anything that can help you is a bonus.
Anyway, back to the session; I’ve spotted fish out near a buoy some 150yds away, so it’s waders on – Wintersett is shallow in the edge so casting from the water gets you additional range – and the first exploratory casts to get the right range using a marker setup; I prefer to do this part using braid and a marker rod, just for the better feedback that braid offers. For my marker set up I use the ultra-fine Gardner Kinetic Marker braid and matching leader. As the braid is super-fine, a finger stall (a type of glove that goes over your index finger) is an essential bit of kit; nobody needs a hospital trip this early into the session. The leader is vitally important the leader is to prevent crack-offs, which is easy when casting with braid. Leader length should be a rod length plus a half, that’s the general rule. Obviously today I just need to apply that rule to the marker rod, as I have a leader effectively built into the tapered mainline on the fishing rods. But if you do choose to tie on a leader of your own to mono or braid, ensuring there’s sufficient leader within the rings of the rod when casting reduces that rifle crack sound when a line parts on the cast.
Casting a long way, you gear has to be up to the job, but mostly it’s about decent technique. Confidence is key, you don’t want to be stuttering on the cast and you certainly need to get your drop from the rod tip to the lead correct (even more so when wading, as the lead can ‘stick’ in the water, slowing the cast). Arms are kept straight above the head, in line with the body, the leading foot depends on your dexterity - I am right handed so lead with my right foot - and as I cast I push forward with my right arm whilst simultaneously pulling the left hand, and butt of the rod, in towards my chest. This generates both rod compression and tip speed to gain those extra yards.
In this instance, after a few casts with a 5oz lead, I found a smooth spot out near the aforementioned buoy, which transpired to be at 37 wraps or in layman’s terms 148 yards; this is a LONG way to be fishing for anyone but needs must, it’s part of big water fishing. I clipped up on the wrap sticks and prepared some bait, using a mix with mostly small food items that ensures the fish spend longer looking in the area, which in turn means I don’t need to get as much out there. Spodding at range can be hard work so it’s about making life easy for yourself. I opted for crumbed boilies with some matching liquid and a good old dollop of hemp. Picking a horizon marker you are confident in is a must and luckily for me on this occasion I had a big old blue sailing buoy to use. Maintaining a comfortable stance and getting into a decent rhythm really helps with accuracy and soon the bait was out there ready to go.
I like to keep my end tackle down to a minimum at these sorts of distances, just to avoid the chances of tangles and the lower the air resistance, the better. Short lengths of lead-free leader fished with Heli systems and hinges are my number one choice; it’s old fashioned but it works. I somehow managed to get all three rods onto a good drop in an area around 8ft deep around the baited area; remembering to adding some additional weights to the bobbins ensures a tight line to the spot and a good level of indication. Setting the bobbins and switching on the alarms I settled into the evening, a beautiful sunset with rolling cloud bursts drifted across the lake. It’s the moments like this, stood out watching the water that really makes you appreciate just how lucky we are to be a part of this outdoor pastime. Having this time to switch off and absorb is a great time to think and with the sun setting I sat back in the bivvy formulating plans for future fishing and romanticising of unknown big carp.
It must have been about 5am when my slumber was shattered by the sound of sheer panic, the receiver was lit up and I scrambled to get the waders on, running into the water I picked up the righthand rod and immediately felt the resistance of a decent fish somewhere out in the twilight the dawn chorus so loud it felt almost overwhelming. The fish came back relatively easily until under the rod tip where it really put a shift in making the most of the strip of weed in front of me, as it breached the surface. I caught a glimpse of some rather large scales before bundling it into the net, peering over the net cord revealed a beautiful mirror with perfect proportions. I pushed the net pole into the bottom of the lake to secure the fish and headed back to the bank with a spring in my step to prepare the camera and the mat. After the compulsory cup of tea, I got down to the business of the photos and marvelled at the absolute gem that was to be my only carp of the session.
With having to pull off later that morning I didn’t bother topping up the swim. Maybe in hindsight I should have been more vigilant, as maybe another fish could have come, what with conditions being perfect, but on this occasion the morning’s excitement had gotten the better of me and I lay back on the bed dozing off for an hour or so, no doubt dreaming of the next captures. This place has really gotten under my skin and its sure to be a place I’ll be re-visiting over the coming months.
Speaking of being vigilant; a good pair of binoculars is an absolute win on bigger waters. I’ve met so many anglers over the years who don’t even think about owning a set, but wherever you fish, they really do help, whether it’s spotting shows at range or just watching fizzers at closer range. I genuinely think I’ll catch fish this season because I have binos to see fish and ultimately, even a cheap(ish) pair of binoculars is easily stowed in a bag, doesn’t need any tech or training to use, and is a whole lot easier than the faff and cost of owning a boat. You can use a boat on Wintersett, as you can on many venues around the UK, I just choose not to, not at the moment anyway. It’s become a lot more fashionable – and accessible – to own a boat for baiting, recon, dropping rigs, and landing fish these days. But for anyone moving up to larger waters, don’t be put off if you don’t have one, you can still fish effectively without one.
So, in short id managed to target these fish with the five Ps; preparation prevents piss poor performance! I can almost see my father saying, finger wagging in face and on this trip I’d been ready for it. A little bit of research into the size of the venue had led me to this and it’s something I think everyone should have in their arsenal, especially when the time comes to look at waters that may have intimidated previously. Take the time to get things organised before you go, make sure you have the right kit to stand up to the job, get those tactics in order and if nothing else, enjoy being out there, as it’s not a given gift, so don’t waste a minute!
Tight lines
Rob
#wearewychwood
