DO I HAVE A GO AT MATCH FISHING?

William Burns · Feb 14, 2007

Debaiting whether I should have a go at match fishing not so much the money you can win,ok to the trophies,taking part mainly but with being on a budget do I have to have "THE GEAR" every match fisherman has ie the seat etc?

Is there anyone who specialises in this field where they can teach you the basics too?

Any advice would be appriciated!!

Lord Paul · Feb 14, 2007

Never match fished before old chap but from the asnwers given by others when his topic has been raised before , it seems that it's more down to time and money than any thing else at the bottom end of the match scene.

The seat box is probably not essential, but to compete you will need a pole to 14m at least, plenty of rigs made up before the match and need to travel if you want to win any thing.

If you are just going to compete in a local matches held at the same few local venues and you're not in it for the money then if you pleasure fish most weekends then the kit you probably have should do. But expect to enter quite a few before you start to frame.

Tally Ho

Danny Lancaster · Feb 14, 2007

Have a go William. You really DONT need "all the gear" to enjoy match-fishing. As long as you go in there with an open mind, you will be fine. Pay your match fee, extra pools will be available should you wish but not compulsory.

Poles will give you an advantage on certain fisheries but many a match has been won using waggler and feeder set ups. Pick a venue where you feel most comfortable, and stick to what your strengths are. The winners are usually those who aren't copying the other 28 anglers around them.

Ged · Feb 14, 2007

Never tried match fishing myself, but I do have an unckle who's won a fair bit of brass a few years back. he has less kit than me and some of it is older than mine. He does have a decent pole which I could not afford, he bought it trade through the team he is in, paid around ?800 for it.
He's a mechanic by trade and he fishes mechanically sa well. Those that know him say he is like a robot. Cast and feed, cast and feed. Have a mate who match fishes but only in his local club bmatches. He loves every minute of it. mainly goes for the banter. He is a good fisherman. Give it a try and enjoy.

William Burns · Feb 15, 2007

Thanks guys.

Pole fishing hasn't really appealed to me.I understand it can deliver better presentation etc, but having a disability I would find it quite difficult handling the pole extentions.

Do you think I should concentrate this year on pleasure fishing more so I can work on different float set-ups,what groundbaits work well for different species,loose feeding techniques & rigs,presumabley like match fisherman do.

William

Danny Lancaster · Feb 16, 2007

NO. If you want to start matchfishing then do just that. You will find that the feeding techniques required are totally different in approach, than if you were pleasure fishing. Likewise the fish tend to respond differently as well in a match situation where you have a lot of bait going into the venue all at the same time (ie, the "all-in") Maybe a few sessions to brush up on technique, casting accuracy etc would be ok but I would spend the whole year practising.

Just my humble opinion of course.

Danny

William Burns · Feb 16, 2007

Cheers Danny,

Into Rugby myself as I used to play but Wales at the moment are an imbarrisment.

Shall I incorperate match fishing tactics too;what ever that may be into pleasure fishing,any advice on what that may be mate.

I've also heard match fishing can be very stressful,I'm 32 and have had a mild stroke already,worrying really too.

Will

Graham Whatmore · Feb 16, 2007

Match fishing is not something you can dabble in, it take skill, total dedication, skill, total committment, skill, hour upon hour of practice and yet more skill.

If you want to test yourself against the out and out match fishermen then do so by all means but remember, you are almost certainly going to be pools fodder and match fishing doesn't come cheap either.

Better by far to fish match pools as a pleasure fisherman and see what you can catch and estimate your weight but its going to be much harder with a pool full of crack anglers who know the venue inside out.

Stevie 12345 · Feb 17, 2007

In every sport there are vast differences in levels and standards, this is no different with match fishing.

Im not sure from your thread if you are taking up fishing from scratch or you just want to have a go at matchfishing.

If you are interested in matchfishing the best way to start off is to join a local club, as these often arrange their own matches and they tend not be be as serious as other open matches (there will be a vast difference between the good and less experienced anglers). Plus with the same people turning out week after week its good on the social side of things too.

Once youve honed your skills on the local club scene you may want to test them on the open competitions.

Good luck

Adrian Walsh 2 · Mar 7, 2007

I know that me and my mate both took the equivelant to match winning bags last week at a commerical we are just getting into, and i was using a tripod chair and some bait/mixes we had whipped together the night before

i think, although i didnt stress it there, that as long as you are prepared and have what YOU feel comfortable with, anything could happen, just keep practicing, keep reading these useful forums for tips and advice and just get involved, the only real way you will find out!

BAZ (Angel of the North) · Mar 8, 2007

You can of course compete against yourself William.
Make a note of the weight you caught this week, and try to improve on it next week. You will find it a lot cheaper. Why line the pockets of the match sharks?

Mark Wintle · Mar 8, 2007

Baz counsels wisely. It is not so much the gear you've got as the way you use it in match fishing circumstances. Adrian had a match comparable weight pleasure fishing. I was doing the same when I was 14 but soon learnt that practice weights should be divided by 4 to get the equivalent match weight; that's the difference between pleasure/pracrtice and match conditions. Many innocents have tried their luck and found out the hard way that it is much harder than it looks.

Occasionally some exceptional anglers start match fishing and do very well.

Ease in gently with club matches.

Bob "chubber"Lancaster (ACA) · May 16, 2007

yes join a local club and do some matches is my advice, its friendly and theres no real preasure as there would be in an open.As for gear i,v fished matches with alsorts of stuf from quivers to sticks wagglers you dont need to fish a pole or have expensive gear to enjoy a weekend match with mates.fishing is all about fun and after a stroke my friend i thiunk you need to relax not start fishing hard matches ,just take yourself off down the river and have some fun as already said you can aim at personal bests that what i do . I also get great fun from trying new rigs ,feeds,and baits fishing all different waters learning all the time.I have just bought my first ever pole and fished with it at the weekend it was great fun but i have an awfull lot to learn .but with the help of these guys here i will get there i,m sure and if i don't, well i,ll have some bloody good fun trying. tight lines mates

PAUL DOLING · May 18, 2007

I would say join a local club its a good way to learn hone your skills and have a good time.Dont join the open match curcit intill you are very confident that you can compete cos that will totally destroy your confidense when week in week out you dont get a section win or a win there are alot of exellent matchmen out there. so join your lacal club and have fun while your doing it mate .

DO I HAVE A GO AT MATCH FISHING?

William Burns

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Lord Paul

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Danny Lancaster

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Ged

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William Burns

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Danny Lancaster

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William Burns

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