Make The Most Of The Shoal
Pole Fishing|January 2018

Rive’s Simon Willsmore looks at how to catch quickly and keep them coming on the canal in the cooler months when there are fish in front of you.

Steve Martin
Make The Most Of The Shoal

  

As less and less boat traffic passes through our canal system as the warm weather leaves us behind, the water becomes crystal clear, and as a result the silverfish start to shoal up as a means of protection against predators. Swim selection becomes a lottery if you are looking for a good day’s sport on the cut, and when it comes to a match, you are either on them or you’re not!

One positive, however, is that although many of the boats are moored in marinas, you will find parts of the canal where they line the far bank. The extra cover that they provide is where you are most likely to find a few fish. Also, if the fish are there in numbers, they often give themselves away when the odd one tops as it investigates a possible morsel of food.

That last clue was clearly the reason why Rive’s Simon Willsmore chose his swim when we joined him for a session on the Grand Union Canal on Dickinson’s Pound near Watford, in Hertfordshire. The fact that there were also a number of boats moored on the opposite side was also a factor.

“It’s always a good sign to see fish topping when you arrive, as it’s a clear indicator that there are fish in the area,” he pointed out, as two fish splashed to his right.

Simon then went on to explain that his plan for the session was to catch fish early on a short line, while keeping a longer line primed, closer to the boat across from him, so that he could look to fish there once the first line started to peter off.

When the water is clear, I find it’s best to try and start short, even if it’s only for a limited period,” he added. “It’s possible to catch a lot of fish from the near shelf, and the longer you can leave the far line it allows the fish to gain more confidence the feed over the groundbait.

Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Pole Fishing.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Pole Fishing.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA POLE FISHINGSe alt
Opposites Attract
Pole Fishing

Opposites Attract

Preston Innovations-backed England international Des Shipp explains why approaching your peg in contrasting ways is the key to successfully targeting a bag of commercial bream.

time-read
8 mins  |
April 2017
Pole Fishing Pairs: The Story So Far...
Pole Fishing

Pole Fishing Pairs: The Story So Far...

All Out! The preston innovations qualifiers have come to an end, but let’s have a look at how the final two rounds of qualifying shaped up…

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2017
Pole Fishing

The Stuff Of Childhood Dreams!

Pole Fishing set £70,000 Maver Match This winner Rob Wootton a challenge: to catch his fi rst-ever canal carp on the good old ‘jam roll’.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2017
Pole Fishing

Practice Makes Perfect

If you want to try something different, it’s always best to pick a venue and a day when the fish are feeding freely, as Cam Hughes demonstrates.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2017
1 Line & 2 Baits
Pole Fishing

1 Line & 2 Baits

A simple approach of groundbait and casters is all Dynamite Baitsbacked Alex Dockerty needs to keep the silver fish coming all day.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2017
Species Hunt:Bream Bonanza
Pole Fishing

Species Hunt:Bream Bonanza

Jake Fowles is on familiar territory this month, hunting his favourite species at one of his favourite venues.

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2017
Slop Till You Drop!
Pole Fishing

Slop Till You Drop!

Stu Redman is well known for thinking outside the box and coming up with unusual methods and tactics. Here he details his way with slop… or should that be soup?

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2017
It's About Time
Pole Fishing

It's About Time

After the frustration of lots of near misses in recent months our assistant editor has ventured back up north, where he has hit a bit of form thanks to a simplified approach that surely just makes sense?

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2017
If You Thing It, Do It!
Pole Fishing

If You Thing It, Do It!

Top match angler Darren Cox begins a new monthly column in which he shares his thoughts about improving your pole fishing performance.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2018
Make The Most Of The Shoal
Pole Fishing

Make The Most Of The Shoal

Rive’s Simon Willsmore looks at how to catch quickly and keep them coming on the canal in the cooler months when there are fish in front of you.

time-read
10+ mins  |
January 2018