Fish The Feeder

With

Paul Downes

Paul sent his rig out, again with the same accuracy. Before long the liners returned. Two or three little knocks then nothing. After a minute or so after the last indication Paul turned his reel handle half to three quarters of a turn, explaining, " If the fish are feeding confidently they will be taking the maggots I have put with the groundbait. By fishing a long tail I am initially looking to take those wary fish backing off the groundbait. By winding in some line I will be putting my hook bait right into the middle of the feed, therefore giving me the short line option. Best of both worlds as they say."

Before long another of those Earlswood carp were on the way to Paul's net.

The feeder was loaded and, once again perfectly placed on the spot. The feeder sank to the bottom and the line went slack. Paul tightened up slightly, sinking the tip, giving it a quick flick to sink the line. It was set down on his Sensas rod rest, which had been inserted neatly into one of the brackets on the wooden staging. The tip of the rod being close to the water.

The Sensas Rest.

We had decided to call it a day at 1.30pm. Two and half hours was enough to demonstrate some of the methods Paul employs at this venue. By this time seven fish had been hooked and six landed. The one that got away slipped the hook at the net. Everything taken into consideration, an all round brilliant performance, on what was undoubtedly the coldest day of the year to-date. Not the 408 lb, 5 hour match record from the summer, but never the less a framing weight on a day like today.

Six fish for about 20 lb.

Some anglers had packed up long before. Alan said " I'm going to give it another hour." " Well try some of this groundbait to see if it makes a difference" Said Paul. So while he was carefully packing a way his gear, (you know, as you do when the brass monkey's crying) I took some round to him. " Chuck it a bit further out", I offered as advice, and so he did. I was helping Paul carry his tackle (NO it hadn't fallen off.....Ed) back to his van when we heard a cry. " Come back here with that bloody camera!" Said Alan, " I've got one!" Yes Alan had had his first fish of the day. Was it the groundbait, or Alans expertise, who knows?

Paul states " Accuracy is the most important thing when fishing the feeder. Find a marker, find your distance. Clip up and put it in the same spot every time. If you don't, reel in and give it another go. Don't fish where you haven't pre- baited. Sounds basic but it's surprising how many people throw a feeder off target and just leave it there."

Gary

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