Moving on

[Max Power]

Hi,

I have caught small raoch and perch with maggorts about 3 metres out, fishing in the shallows of a small lake and i was wondering how i start going about getting something bigger (i have only started fishing so species dosn't matter all that much)?

P.S. I orginally started fishing for pike but read on the internet that it was best to wait until wintertime, is this true?

I catch pike from GrasmereandRydal waterall year round and I think the fishing is better in summer, the only drawback is the fact that you get marauded by dozens of tourists!

Max, we really need to know more about your experience and tackle to answer the question. And fill in your profile - we're sticklers for good manners around here....

[Max Power]

The tackle l'm using is a simple waggler flaot fished 3 metres out from the peg with a size 14 hook, at a depth of about 3 foot. But i can get better tackle if nessary.

well, as to experience i have next to none, just using the above method to catch small raoh and perch.

IS that enough info?

From the sound of things, you have a problem casting, because three metres is not even a rodlength. The casting issue will be partly one of skill, but more than likely an underfilled reel spool/ too heavy a main line; and too light a float. That's VERY shallow water you're fishing in; sometimes fine, but in deeper water your casting in will cause less disturbance to feeding fish.

I'd recommend you use 4 lb main line, filled right to the brim of the spool, and then step down to 1 1/2lb BS hooklengths. If you haven't learned to tie spade-end hooks yet, either learn (it's easy with a Drennan hook tyer) or buy hooks to nylon. You should stick with size 16 and 18 for the small fish you are catching, but these are easily strong enough to land much bigger fish if you are careful. Size 14 is quite a large hook - I'd happily tackle 5lb tench or 7lb bream on a 14.

I'm assuming you're using a match rod between 11 ft and 13 ft long; if not, get one; that is possibly the most useful style of rod you will ever own.

Let us know how you get on, Max. And welcome to FM

[Max Power]

yes, i have a match rod 3.3 metres long, how deep should i be fishing to get a 5Ib tench or 7Ib bream with a flaot ( i know how to plumb the depth) ? will 5Ib line do? and casting isn't a problem, i just wasn't sure where i should fish. thanks!!!

[Mark Hewitt]

Forget the pike for now.

Also don't worry about 5lbs tench or 7lbs bream.

Stick to the margins for now, and fish on the bottom. That will give you best chance of a tench or bigger roach and perch. Maybe worth a try with worms for a bigger than average fish?

Difficult to say much more at this stage. All I can add is 'don't try to run before you can walk' and make sure you enjoy what you're doing - otherwise its very easy to loose interest.

[Max Power]

yeah but how deep/? roughly

[Mark Hewitt]

If you know how to plumb the depth............. then on the bottom is - full depth.

As Mark says, 90% of the fish will feed at the bottom, so plumbing the depth is vitally important, Max. The bottom is also where most of your loosefeed or groundbait will end up, so no surprise that this is where you'll catch fish.

The advantage of float fishing is that it allows you to search the area in front of you for fish, so you won't be plumbing the depth just once, but several times as you cast to different areas trying to get a bite.

The two schools of thought are that 1) you feed and area and keep fishing it until the roaming fish find your groundbait or 2) cast to different areas, loosefeeding lightly, until you get bites then stepping up the loosefeed a little and catching the fish where they are.

It's your call which you go for but I'm more the second method.