There's something very exciting about fishing large man-made reservoirs. The combination of deep water and wild fish make a real change from shallow commercial fisheries and hungry carp, yet the actual make-up of these big lakes can present its own challenges - none more so than the slopes you'll more than likely be fishing on.
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Even at long pole range, most reservoirs will still have a slope on the bottom. This is enough for many anglers to change their plans and reach for a feeder rod to find a flat area further out!
In doing so, however, they'll be missing out on some great and very interesting fishing.
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Here's my top six tips on how to catch on the slope...
CATCHING SHALLOW
Because of the depth change, and as I am loosefeeding, fish will feed off the bottom. Setting up a light 0.2g or 0.3g rig with strung shot lets me catch through the water.
GROUNDBAIT IS KEY
Prime the swim with groundbait. Two balls of Mainline Match Super Cereal and F1 Dark create that all-important scent, packed with corn, micros and casters.
CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST GROUNDBAITS FOR THIS STYLE OF FISHING.
STOP IT ROLLING!
Any ball of groundbait that’s too hard will roll down a slope, taking the fish with it. Squeeze each ball lightly so once it reaches bottom, it’s largely broken up into a cloud.
RAIN IN THE LOOSEFEED
Once the groundbait has gone in, loosefeed quite heavily with casters on the short line to create competition and to bypass any small fish in the peg.
EXPLORE BAIT OPTIONS
Casters are used as feed and on the hook as singles or doubles. If little fish are a pain, corn or a 4mm expander pellet are great options. Bites may slow down but will be from quality fish.
FISH A SENSIBLE ELASTIC
Striking in deep water needs a substantial elastic, and tench and crucians can put up a fair old scrap! Garbolino solid Hybrid is ideal in green or orange, working out at No8 and No10 in old money.
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