Hi guys I'm Steve and new to the forum.
After a number of years of barbel/chub fishing with static baits I'm keen to get into float fishing on the river Wye (the hereforshire area as i have discovered through this site that there is more than one river Wye).
I've read with interest a number of threads and articles about floats, shotting etc and realise that variation in tactics is far and wide and at times quite subjective.
I've come to the conclusion that my best bet is to just get out there and put the hours in and give things a try, but would like to get some specific advice in regard to my objectives and circumstances in which i'll be fishing.
I'll be targeting primarily barbel and also chub in smooth steady swims to start with and i'm a little confused about presentation.
Firstly, what is the aim in terms of bait movement and depth?
Should I be fishing at the swim depth or over depth and if so how much?
Should i be trying to hold back the float to let the bait go through ahead of it or just let the rig go through as it wants to?
(planning on using soft pellet, meat or maggot so do the tactics vary in terms of which bait?)
If you've managed to read all that without nodding off, any help would be gratefully received.
After a number of years of barbel/chub fishing with static baits I'm keen to get into float fishing on the river Wye (the hereforshire area as i have discovered through this site that there is more than one river Wye).
I've read with interest a number of threads and articles about floats, shotting etc and realise that variation in tactics is far and wide and at times quite subjective.
I've come to the conclusion that my best bet is to just get out there and put the hours in and give things a try, but would like to get some specific advice in regard to my objectives and circumstances in which i'll be fishing.
I'll be targeting primarily barbel and also chub in smooth steady swims to start with and i'm a little confused about presentation.
Firstly, what is the aim in terms of bait movement and depth?
Should I be fishing at the swim depth or over depth and if so how much?
Should i be trying to hold back the float to let the bait go through ahead of it or just let the rig go through as it wants to?
(planning on using soft pellet, meat or maggot so do the tactics vary in terms of which bait?)
If you've managed to read all that without nodding off, any help would be gratefully received.