Getting Started

[Little Butch]

Thought i'd start the first thread here
Ive got a suitable reel and loads of old rods and would like to get into freshwater fishing aswell as sea fishing
I've done a bit before but would like to get more seriously into it.
I'd like to use natural baits like Sweetcorn, Luncheon Meat, Hemp, Maggots etc and none of this new grounbait and boile rollocks
Could anybody make a list of what i need to get fishing ?? I have most of it i think
I will be fishing the freshwater part of the stour in suffolk, mainly the stretch between cattawade and Flatford.
Cheers Leon

[fyshermen1001]

Thought i'd start the first thread here
Ive got a suitable reel and loads of old rods and would like to get into freshwater fishing aswell as sea fishing
I've done a bit before but would like to get more seriously into it.
I'd like to use natural baits like Sweetcorn, Luncheon Meat, Hemp, Maggots etc and none of this new grounbait and boile rollocks
Could anybody make a list of what i need to get fishing ?? I have most of it i think
I will be fishing the freshwater part of the stour in suffolk, mainly the stretch between cattawade and Flatford.
Cheers Leon

never fished there leon but you'll need as you say reel /rod depending on what your targeting, reel loaded with a good maxima or equivalent line of 4lb line for standard fishing ie:- perch /roach small chub with a good trotting float or 4 to 5 bb clear waggler with hook sizes 20 to 14 ,

if you have a spare spool for the reel then load it with 8lb for anything else with a selection of hooks from 20 to 12's and a selection of various floats wagglers /trotting and chubbers ,
no idea if there's any pike about but a couple of wire traces with trebles on might be worth a try


always match the bait to hook size ,no good putting a lump of luncheion meat on a size 20 two maggots on a 20 is plenty


tightlines............daz

[wriggitt]

never fished it myself but constable makes it look so idyllic.

agree with fysherman

but another alternative is to travel light and go aroaming.

prebait half a dozen swims and keep returning to these every half hour.
use simple ledger tactics on a 10-11ft quiver rod or rod with fine tip.

rod, reel (spool loaded with 6lb nylon or braid), arsley or rolling bombs, landing net (one without a long handle), small rucksack with a few bits and bobs.

look for features in river ie weed beds, over hanging trees, deep holes etc

keep twitching the bait and wait for the barbel to hit and run!

[Little Butch]

Seems ive got everything i need then
I plan to take just a rucksack and carry the rod and net in my hand.
Might get up there on saturday
What do you suggest prebaiting a swim with ??? And how much ???
Cheers leon

[Corndawg]

Just a few sample baits in each swim should do it.........

[fyshermen1001]

Seems ive got everything i need then
I plan to take just a rucksack and carry the rod and net in my hand.
Might get up there on saturday
What do you suggest prebaiting a swim with ??? And how much ???
Cheers leon

get a couple of loaves of bread and leave them out a couple of days so they go semi stale /hard then stick them through the blender then as you walk around just damp them and make balls u could always add a few maggots or whatever your using as hook bait mashed in with it

cheap an cheerful ground bait ,


tightlines..................daz

[Little Butch]

Ok, ive only got sweetcorn and bread at the moment, will these do ???
Should i get some maggots ???
Leon

[fyshermen1001]

Ok, ive only got sweetcorn and bread at the moment, will these do ???
Should i get some maggots ???
Leon

might be worth it in this sort of weather ,the fish arent so active in winter so the extra attractant of something wriggling might just get you one or two fish just remember maggots dont wriggle if they get cold so warm them up in your hands for a min or so ,

us seasoned course fishermen stick them under your tongue does the same trick


tightlines....................daz

[Little Butch]

Cheers
Really looking forward to it now. Gunna get my gear ready tonight.
I think i'll mix bread, sweetcorn and maggots together and use that as groundbait.
Leon

[Corndawg]

Cheers
Really looking forward to it now. Gunna get my gear ready tonight.
I think i'll mix bread, sweetcorn and maggots together and use that as groundbait.
Leon

Little tip for you........

Liquidise the bread,put it in a big bucket.............

Then liquidise the corn,and add that to the bread a bit at a time,til it makes a kind of sloppy ball.........

Add the maggots on the day if you want,but it will make a lovely cloud on the way to the deck,as well as make a scent trail to bring the fish upstream............