Grayling

#1 (**permalink**) 13-02-2007, 06:50

There has been a bit too much navel gazing going on recently and not enough posting about fishing itself IMHO.

To get us back on track and with the forthcoming Grayling Day not far away, let's have your tips for putting a few nice fish on the bank.

Mine would be that Grayling are primarily sight feeders who rise from the bottom to take their food.The position of their eyes is designed for this.With that in mind,I usually start with the bait a good six to nine inches off the bottom.This way the fish will see the bait from a good distance away.

As they usually rise and then drop back down with the bait the bites are usually very positive if you are fishing this way.

Anyone else?

Matt Brown · #2 (**permalink**) 13-02-2007, 07:39

Use a very light action float rod. You will lose far less fish and it saves fannying around putting pole elastic in the rigs.

Beecy · #3 (**permalink**) 13-02-2007, 08:04

I have spent many lunch breaks feeding a shoal of grayling with bits of bread in the don that runs by our factory. Its in about 4-5 feet of very clear water and you gan see them very well.

What you say about them coming off the bottom is exactly what I have seen, but what they also tend to do is come up off bottom and rather than take the bread while they are pointing upstream, they give it a little nudge ( are they testing/smelling it ?) with the nose then do a tight turn and take it pointing downstream.

Probably totally useless info to help you catch more but I thought id share it with you anyway !

neil mason 2 · #4 (**permalink**) 13-02-2007, 08:05

Trot a brandling under a stick or a chubber.

Or why not fish north country spiders on a 4# rod.

#5 (**permalink**) 13-02-2007, 08:08

Matt, noted.I have given up on that idea.

Reading Reg Rhyghini's book "Grayling" , he advocates the use of braid for long trotting.This was in the 60's before hi-tech braids were developed.he was talking about fishinf at 80 yards plus on the yorkshire rivers and the low stretch of braid helped him hit bites at that sort of range.

Has anyone tried it and if so what brand would you recommend?It would obviously be a floating one.

#6 (**permalink**) 13-02-2007, 08:11

Very interesting Beccy on both counts.You do not often hear about bread being a good bait for grayling but I might stick a few slices in the bag for the Itchen on the strength of what you say.Corn is also supposed to be a good alternative to the usual maggot and worm standards.

Beecy · #7 (**permalink**) 13-02-2007, 08:18

more like braed paste realy nigel, little bits moulded into the size of about a pea

never yet seen one take a bit of flake off the top ( mind you, the ducks dont give them much chance )

Also worth pointing out that these fish are totaly wild and will probably never have been caught, the strech they are in is unfishable 15 foot high walls both sides with no way of getting down to the waters edge.

Graham Whatmore · #8 (**permalink**) 13-02-2007, 09:04

Its been a long time since I targetted grayling on the Teme but I always found them a bit trout like in their feeding habits, almost predatory in the way they take a bait. They snatch a bait and leave you in no doubt because the float just buries but landing them is not always as easy.

A stick float is almost made for the job because it allows you to slow the bait and also stop it completely causing it to rise and fall much the same method as roach fishing really. An avon or chubber can be used much the same with the added advantage of being more visible at long range

Braid is easily fished with a float and because there is very little casting involved there are no problems with wind knots. It also floats naturally which is what you want with a float and there is no stretch whatsoever allowing you instant contact even at range. The downside may be that it takes practice to play a fish using braid because it is very easy to pull the hook if played too hard and of course you lift into the fish rather than strike which is easily said but when that float disappears adrenalin and practice dictates that you strike resulting in one pulled hook. I have a Power Pro 10lb braid on my C/pin and it is ideal for float fishing on a river and it was very cheap on ebay too.

#9 (**permalink**) 13-02-2007, 09:27

Thanks Graham for the tips on the braid.Unless you are fishing at very long range, is there much point in using it?

Matthew Nightingale (ACA) · #10 (**permalink**) 13-02-2007, 10:50

Remind me; when is the season for Greyling? I always forget and I always end up asking here. Sorry!