Thoughts on winter sweetcorn fishing by Steve Lockett.
"...it is brilliant even if they don't want to feed. Plumb up all around the peg and fish the grain dead depth. Don't feed anything until you hook a couple of fish that fight back. You will pick up fish by just lifting and dropping, or constant recasting on the waggler without any feed.
Once they kick properly when you are bringing them in, start to trickle in 2 or 3 grains every fish. And...let them kick on your fed line to stir up the bottom a bit, that pulls in more fish.
When bites get 'iffy', it is time to swap to the skin only. Bear in mind that plenty of bites will be very small dinks, although proper bites should still be positive, but just only enough to sink 2-4mm of thin bristle or float top."
Steve's advice can be followed on:
www.coarsefish-torbay.co.uk
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This is a new section for our website aimed at helping you get maximum enjoyment out of fishing at
Redhill.
The page will change with the seasons and hopefully help you catch more fish.
Angling experts from both the match and specialist angling world will have input into the hints and tips.
Winter Fishing at Red Hill.
As to be expected catches reduce during the colder months, but good sport is on offer if a modified approach is adopted. This is especially relevant when it comes to feeding.
If pole fishing on really cold days, it can pay to feed almost nothing at the start just to get an idea if you have fish in front of you. Lightly feeding just three or four 4mm hard pellets may induce a response, or if you prefer just trickle in a few micros with the odd grain of corn. Corn is a good hook bait and will often sort out the bigger carp. Fish are normally in the deeper water in winter, so you may need to go long to keep in touch.
This may mean you have to try the feeder or straight lead. A feeder approach will often produce a quick response, but remember to be aware of how much feed pellet/groundbait you are introducing. Make sure all rigs are free-running too!
The page will change with the seasons and hopefully help you catch more fish.
Angling experts from both the match and specialist angling world will have input into the hints and tips.
Winter Fishing at Red Hill.
As to be expected catches reduce during the colder months, but good sport is on offer if a modified approach is adopted. This is especially relevant when it comes to feeding.
If pole fishing on really cold days, it can pay to feed almost nothing at the start just to get an idea if you have fish in front of you. Lightly feeding just three or four 4mm hard pellets may induce a response, or if you prefer just trickle in a few micros with the odd grain of corn. Corn is a good hook bait and will often sort out the bigger carp. Fish are normally in the deeper water in winter, so you may need to go long to keep in touch.
This may mean you have to try the feeder or straight lead. A feeder approach will often produce a quick response, but remember to be aware of how much feed pellet/groundbait you are introducing. Make sure all rigs are free-running too!
Summer 2011
Whilst the weather has been inconsistent, the higher average temperatures have pushed the carp into the margins on all pools. Sweetcorn seems to be the best option for the bigger fish - two grains on a 14 over pellet is working well. 6mm banded hard pellet is also a good choice, with 4 & 6 mm hard pellets as feed. Elastic on poles can be beefed up to a 12 or 14 (Black Hydro), or even stronger for the margins where there are snags. Hook lengths should be around 0.14 (around 4-5lbs BS), either straight through or with a 0.16-0.20 main line. When coupled with a size 14 or 16 barbless hook you should cope with most carp.
Paste fishing is also bringing good results, and hooks are generally slightly bigger for this method. However, as with 4mm pellets and single corn, you can be "pestered" by small roach, rudd and gudgeon. If you fancied a session on silver fish, maggot should produce plenty of bites!!
Whilst the weather has been inconsistent, the higher average temperatures have pushed the carp into the margins on all pools. Sweetcorn seems to be the best option for the bigger fish - two grains on a 14 over pellet is working well. 6mm banded hard pellet is also a good choice, with 4 & 6 mm hard pellets as feed. Elastic on poles can be beefed up to a 12 or 14 (Black Hydro), or even stronger for the margins where there are snags. Hook lengths should be around 0.14 (around 4-5lbs BS), either straight through or with a 0.16-0.20 main line. When coupled with a size 14 or 16 barbless hook you should cope with most carp.
Paste fishing is also bringing good results, and hooks are generally slightly bigger for this method. However, as with 4mm pellets and single corn, you can be "pestered" by small roach, rudd and gudgeon. If you fancied a session on silver fish, maggot should produce plenty of bites!!
Rigs and things.
As with all fishing, getting the feeding right is the most vital aspect. However, presentation is very important so the rig used has to be balanced to the depth and conditions.
In winter because you are fishing long, most swims can be tackled with between a 4x14 (approx .35g) to 4x18 (approx .75g), with 4x16 (.5g) being the norm. Float shape is down to personal preferance, but as a rule of thumb if it's windy an inverted pear or rugby ball is good, whilst in calm weather the new pencil floats work well.
As to line strength/diameter, 0.14mm mainline with 0.12mm hooklength should be OK, as long as it is matched to light (in carp fishing terms) elastic. No. 8 or 10 solid latex. This is either the white (6-10), or grey (10-14), in "Hydro".
Hooks still need to be strong, and big enough to cope with sizeable fish - you do want to land what you hook!
When fishing a banded hard pellet, Kamasan B911 eyed, or Preston PR36 if you prefer an out-turned eye work well, in sizes 16 to 14.
The new Drennan hooks are excellent too - either the "Carp Bandits" for hair-rigging, or the Carp/Pellet for fishing soft hookers.
If you've read his piece in the latest Match Fishing magazine, you will know that one of South Wales' top anglers, MAP backed Giles Cochrane approaches Redhill in a different manner, which may well suit you better!
As with all fishing, getting the feeding right is the most vital aspect. However, presentation is very important so the rig used has to be balanced to the depth and conditions.
In winter because you are fishing long, most swims can be tackled with between a 4x14 (approx .35g) to 4x18 (approx .75g), with 4x16 (.5g) being the norm. Float shape is down to personal preferance, but as a rule of thumb if it's windy an inverted pear or rugby ball is good, whilst in calm weather the new pencil floats work well.
As to line strength/diameter, 0.14mm mainline with 0.12mm hooklength should be OK, as long as it is matched to light (in carp fishing terms) elastic. No. 8 or 10 solid latex. This is either the white (6-10), or grey (10-14), in "Hydro".
Hooks still need to be strong, and big enough to cope with sizeable fish - you do want to land what you hook!
When fishing a banded hard pellet, Kamasan B911 eyed, or Preston PR36 if you prefer an out-turned eye work well, in sizes 16 to 14.
The new Drennan hooks are excellent too - either the "Carp Bandits" for hair-rigging, or the Carp/Pellet for fishing soft hookers.
If you've read his piece in the latest Match Fishing magazine, you will know that one of South Wales' top anglers, MAP backed Giles Cochrane approaches Redhill in a different manner, which may well suit you better!
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