10 Andy May's QUICKFIRE TIPS WINTER SILVERS EDGES

1 PLAY IT SAFE FOR SKIMMERS

A lot of anglers pile the bait in when trying to draw skimmers into their swim, but this is a recipe for disaster. It might create a frantic first hour, but the action will peter out as the fish eat the lot and leave your swim. A small golf ball-sized nugget of groundbait with a few dead maggots or pinkies packed into the middle of it is enough to draw a response. Once action slows, add another of a similar size. This way of feeding creates competition as the quantity of food on the deck is always minimal.

2 WORK AROUND ‘THE CARPET’

Fishing directly over the top of your groundbait is the way to get bites at the start of a silverfish session, but it pays to explore all around it later in the day. Roach and skimmers will soon get cagey once a little commotion kicks in and that leads to them backing off a little. They’ll remain in the swim though, sitting just off the main carpet and feeding on scraps that come their way. Try fishing a couple of feet beyond or to the left or right of it and you’ll be amazed how this can transform your fortunes.

3 USE A LONG LASH

The water will soon be quite clear, making it easier for fish to detect what is going on above the surface. A pole waving over their heads will create a shadow and make the shoal move off. Using a 2ft-3ft length of line between pole tip and float will stop this from happening. Place a couple of No8 shot halfway down that length of line to create enough tension to make sure you still hit most bites.

4 NAIL YOUR BAIT DOWN

Skimmers can be very particular about what they eat and a hookbait that is bouncing around on the bottom is likely to be ignored.

They prefer a static offering and using the correct float will help you to achieve this. A reasonably heavy rugby ball-shaped version with a wire stem is ideal.

Start with a 4x16 float in 4ft-6ft of water, stepping up a size if the wind is still pushing the rig through your swim.

4 BUILD A CASTING ROUTINE

The maggot feeder is a brilliant tactic for roach, chub and ide at this time of year. They’re all species that continue to feed well in winter. Frequent casting is essential to keep a trickle of grubs going into the swim to ensure the fish remain occupied. Aim to cast every two to three minutes, even on the chilliest of winter days.

6 TURN TO FLOATING MAGGOTS

Silverfish often sit off the deck and a slow-falling hookbait will give them plenty of chance to snaffle it up mid-water. Floating maggots are extremely buoyant, and on the hook they’ll sink very slowly. Place a handful in a bait tub and add enough water so that it doesn’t quite cover them, then cut out the middle of the tub’s lid to s