THE MASTERPLAN
Knowing where in your peg to target, and when, is the key to bagging up on commercials in spring. James Dent reveals his approach to help you get it right every time...
ASTEADY run of bites before a lull in the action is all part and parcel of winter fishing – but we’ve now reached that stage of the year when fish can keep going into the net all day long.
Carp and bream have well and truly woken up and, no matter at what time of the day you’re planning on fishing, there will be something willing to feed.
That doesn’t mean success is a given, though. Your biggest decision will often revolve around where in your peg you should attack at any given moment.
Fish in the wrong spot and you’ll be wasting precious time, concentrating on a barren area while the fish are grubbing about elsewhere and ready to be caught.
The secret to success is to work on a plan that will make sure you are always in the right place at the right time – and James Dent is just the man to help...
TARGET AREAS:
1. Hybrid feeder to an island feature or open water.
2. 8m pole line
BAIT NEEDED:
1. Bag of groundbait
2. Pint of casters
3. Pint of 2mm micro pellets
4. One tin of sweetcorn
5. Handful of dead red maggots
VENUE:
Hallcroft Fishery, Croft Pool, Nottinghamshire
STAGE 1
EXPLORE WITH A FEEDER
“Carp are at their most active at first and last light, so they are the first species that I have my eye on when I arrive at a venue,” said James.
“I’ll fish a Guru Hybrid feeder, loading it with a small quantity of micro pellets and using a corn hookbait.
“This is a winner, because its soft nature also appeals to any big skimmers that may be loitering nearby.
“Don’t overload it with pellets, though – simply press a thin layer into the bottom of the feeder, put your hookbait on top and then add the same quantity of micros again.
“This provides a small mouthful, increasing the chances of feeding fish taking the hookbait.
“Don’t clip up and cast in with an empty feeder to get your range, as this can spook the fish and reduce your chances of a quick bite.
“It’s much better to load the feeder, cast out and then clip up. If this doesn’t result in a bite within 10 minutes, take the clip off, peel a bit more line off and work closer to where your intended target was. If you are fishing close to an island, aim to drop it 3m-4m short of the bank to start.”
“I also feed three balls of groundbait laced with casters and dead maggots over an 8m pole line at the start of the session, just to prime it.
