WHEN feeder fishing on commercials you’ll cast out, tighten up the slack and then put the rod on the rests to wait for the tip to wrap round.
If you do this when fishing for barbel on a river, however, you’re asking for trouble. The bites can be ferocious, and before you’ve even picked up the rod you could have been snapped off. But there’s a simple way of eradicating this problem.
Your rig needs to act naturally in order to get plenty of bites, so you need a feeder that holds bottom in the current, yet isn’t overly heavy for the situation. In other words, use the lightest feeder you can get away with. In typical summer flows, this will mean using a feeder weighing between 30g and 60g.
Many anglers opt for open-end feeders crammed with groundbait and pellets when targeting barbel and chub, and if there’s a bit of colour in the water this is a decent choice. However, in low, clear conditions, hemp and casters can be a far better bet.
Feed out a big bow of line after you cast out to help the feeder hold station, and you’re good to go!
CAST OUT
Cast out slightly downstream and keep the rod high until you feel the feeder hit the bottom of the river.
PAUSE
Next, allow 4m-5m of line to peel off the reel. The current picks up the line and tightens up to form a cushioning bow.
ASSESS
If the rod-tip starts to bounce, release another metre of line. If this bouncing persists, you may need a heavier feeder.
WATCH
With a bow in the line you’re likely to get a dink before the tip drops back as the feeder is dislodged by the biting fish.
LIFT...AND PLAY!
Once the fish is hooked, pick the rod up and start reeling to commence the battle! There’s no need to strike hard.
