Casting Tools

[cal_sutt]

I try to fish the Trent fairly often, however recently I've been put off going for some Trent barbel due to the increase in water level. I was told a couple of weeks ago that people were having to use between eight and twelve ounces of lead to hold bottom! (This is the tidal stretch by the way). I love floodwater fishing my small local rivers and really want a go this winter, but what sort of rod am I going to need? I usually fish the Trent with my 2.75lb carp rods but these really struggle casting more than 4oz. Is this because they are cheap and not very good quality? Would better quality rods be able to cast the ridiculous weights needed, or is it all about your casting technique?

 

[mick b]

I used to uptide fish for Cod (oh remember the good old days when you could actually catch a Cod) and never needed more than 6oz grip leads to hold bottom and hook a fish.

Its the amount of bow in the line that holds bottom, not the weight of the lead.

The idea is to cast 'uptide' or in your case upstream, at around 45degrees to your location and let the lead settle on the bottom, then let out line sufficient to provide a big downstream bow so you end up with your rod pointing downstream and your lead on the bottom opposite you.
The rod tip will assume a slight bend at the tip and when it straightens out its the indication you have a fish on.
This is mono line fishing, braided line doesnt provide enough water resistance.

Catching a 10lb Cod with a 6oz lead on the line isnt much fun but atleast you can eat it.
What sport a decent Barbel would provide while dragging around 10oz doesnt bear thinking about mg:


Or wait for the flow to drop

 

[greenie62]

I used to uptide fish for Cod ... and never needed more than 6oz grip leads to hold bottom and hook a fish.
.
What sport a decent Barbel would provide while dragging around 10oz doesnt bear thinking about ...

So right Mick!

I'm surprised that the 'grippa lead' hasn't been mentioned more in relation to the debates on lead needed for high flow rivers. You can get these in sizes down to 2oz with foldaway legs and in the sea hold down the bait as well as a lead of 2-3 times the size - even on pebbly beaches where there's not much sand for them to dig into.

Anyone tried them in rivers - eg. Tidal Trent?

 

[binka]

I don't think there's a tick all boxes answer to this one, probably the best way if you want to keep to the lighter side of leads and avoid a dour fish playing experience would be to go with Mick's suggestion.

I've doubled up the 2.75lb deadbait rods on occasions for flood conditions and they handle some big leads fine (7oz - 8oz) but again can result in a dour fight.

 

[Paul Neate]

Here in the Netherlands you can get wire cage feeders with "legs" similar to the grip leads, commonly up to 120 or 150 g (i.e. up to about 5 oz) -- I don't know if they are available in UK.

 

[greenie62]

you can get wire cage feeders with "legs" similar to the grip leads

Are you sure it's a feeder and not a Crayfish trap! mg:

Tight Lines!

 

[Paul Neate]

Are you sure it's a feeder and not a Crayfish trap! mg:

Tight Lines!

Here's an example:

Voerkorven Anker rvs 100gr

The "legs" can be bent to the side to stop the feeder from rolling around, or underneath the body to grip the bottom.

 

[Titus]

Leads with wire sticking out...........Whatever next?

CALL THE BARBEL POLICE!!!!!!!

 

[bigfish74]

Fished collimgham a few weeks ago 3oz held no problem the only problem i found was lack of fish in my net

Andy

 

[Paul Neate]

Leads with wire sticking out...........Whatever next?

CALL THE BARBEL POLICE!!!!!!!

OK, so I'm a complete noddy when it comes to this stuff, but at least I am sharing information rather than just making snide remarks.

 

[Titus]

OK, so I'm a complete noddy when it comes to this stuff, but at least I am sharing information rather than just making snide remarks.

Not having a pop at you mate, more some of the over sensitive souls who will be along to tell us all how dangerous those things are.

I actually have some similar ones which I bought from the sea section of the tackle shop, the only difference is mine are breakaway legs which fold back on the retrieve.

 

[Judas Priest]

One of the over sensitive souls here.

They are dangerous when used with the modern trend for short hook links and the lead ends up in the net with the fish. Yes I know all about hooks being pointy but to then introduce even more spikes into the situation is not good. If they are to be used then I personally would advocate longer hooklengths so the lead can, and should, be left on the outside.

 

[Andy M]

As 75-100cm hook links are the norm on the Waal the problem of netting them with the fish should not occur, - "should not" being the operative phrase of course - my problem with them is more the fear of the hook link getting tangled up in the legs.

 

[greenie62]

my problem with them is more the fear of the hook link getting tangled up in the legs.

Sea anglers also have this problem and use a number of tactics to avoid/overcome it. One is to use a longish hollow plastic boom - similar to a feeder connector boom - just a bit longer! Dave Proudfoot shows how to make your own in this link:
Planet Sea Fishing Digital Magazine | Tutorials | How to make Tube Booms

Tight Lines!

 

[john step]

cal sut. I don't know who has been feeding you porkies about Trent water levels. Most Trent anglers I know have been moaning about the lack of flow this summer and the need for some fresh water!!
You can go to The Environment Agency web site and look up river levels. Book mark the page as a very handy reference that is regularly updated. After yesterdays rain it is a bit better but still down. Give it a day or two for the flotsam to subside and it will be fine with 3 or 4 oz leads(maximum I should think) that your carp rod will cope with ease.
Mick B is absolutely right about " uptiding" on the river where you can get away with much lighter leads. You can let yards of line off to form a bow downstream. The bites are still electric. You get a spring back then a run most times. Use a long hooklink so the bow doesn't spook the fish. 5 or 6 feet if the flow requires a really big bow of line.
One angler in the magazines calls it cod fishing for barbel. He is not far wrong.

 

[mick b]

Hey Dutchy thanks for sharing the 'two leg feeder' with us.

We are a bit isolated on this overcrowded island so its good to have a constructive input from thinking anglers like yourself.

Don't worry about the Barbel Police joke, it was made because it is normal (over here) to expect single-minded species specialists to object to anything that might harm 'their' fish.
Nothing wrong with that but they do over react sometimes mg:
......

I remember with fondness my NBB training days in the '70's with Anton, Wim, et al
You have a great country and superb fishing, enjoy it all the more.

Greetz, Mick.

.

 

[Titus]

One of the over sensitive souls here.

They are dangerous when used with the modern trend for short hook links and the lead ends up in the net with the fish. Yes I know all about hooks being pointy but to then introduce even more spikes into the situation is not good. If they are to be used then I personally would advocate longer hook lengths so the lead can, and should, be left on the outside.

This is one thing we will never agree on mate, the length of the hook length is irrelevant as the feeder should be free running and not end up in the net, and even if it does the chances of the fish impaling itself are very small as on the ones I own the legs have 'broke away' and are hanging on the hinge by the time the retrieve is made.

Having said all that I've never found a need to use them as in my experience fish will move in heavy water to where they are most comfortable, and if I can't hold bottom with 4 Oz where I normally find the fish then I will cast closer in until I can hold bottom, more often than not that is where they have moved to.

 

[Judas Priest]

Agreed on the breakaway type mate as there shouldn't be a problem it's the fixed wired ones that can, and I repeat can, cause an issue when used with short hooklengths.

To make it up to you I'll let you buy me a pint next time we're out n about.

 

[barbelbuster]

Holding bottom on Tidal Trent is really a matter of balance. In my view if you cannot hold under normal conditions with max 4 ozs then something is wrong and thats at distance.
As other replies it's the bow in the line that is important and line diameter again is important, the bigger diameter then more drag and then larger feeder needed, it's a catch 22 situation.
Advise as previous cast out straight or slightly upstream, wait till feeder hits bottom then let out line this will create the bow. As before if you cannot hold with 4 ozs come closer in until you can but consider line diameter max .3 in my experience.
As for feeders with spikes/legs thats getting ridiculous.
2.75 carp rods not really suitable but ok at a push.1.75 with through action much better for casting and playing especially those final runs close in.