TACKLE AND TACTICS

Generally speaking I keep my rigs really simple, semi-fixed leads 2-4 oz either in line or bombs on quick release clips, short braided leaders onto size 2 or 4 hooks with a bit of tube to protect against the rocks. I tend to fish with tight lines as this helps to keep the line off the sharp rocks on the bottom, the fish seem not to be bothered if they knock the line, (knocks are often followed shortly by runs). Floater fishing can be very effective when the fish are up for it either with a controller or freeline, but you'll have to feed the ducks first. I use 15lb line more to counter the rocks than to stop the fish as the only real snags are deep down on the bottom.

These are some of the rigs I have been using, nothing revolutionary or clever, but they are all working well for me on Chira.

I have found that the best results for fishing on the bottom come from finding flat muddy patches around the margins in 6 to 18 feet of water preferably at the bottom of a steep bank or feature. During the hot summer I have found that the fish only come into the margins in the evenings so I have tried fishing further out into the lake in 30-40 feet of water with much better results during the heat of the day.

To catch fish on floating baits try investigating floating rafts of bamboo and other debris stuck at the edges of the lake. Often fish come in so close you can almost put a bait in the fish's mouth! As I mentioned earlier controller floats can be effective at range but I rarely come across the time or place to use them, perhaps now the lake is so much bigger the opportunity may arise more often. As a final note on the subject of floater fishing on Chira, I find bread to give a much higher take to fish ratio than dog biscuits. I have had biscuits rejected too many times for my liking, although the fish will quite happily eat them, perhaps its just me.

Size 3 hook straight to 15lb main line, you can't get much simpler. The bread rolls that you can buy everywhere here make fine bait but they go very hard very quickly in the sun making them hard to hook on. I have found the best way to keep this bread on is to push the hook all the way through a good sized chunk of crust so it can run up and down the line with the hook on the white side. Push the point of the hook back through to the brown side burying the shank as best you can in the white leaving the point exposed. Tighten down the loop of line that has been created. For weight dip the bread in the water for the count of three, make a smooth unhurried cast and away you go.

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