Succeed In The Weed
Where on earth has all the weed come from we keep asking ourselves? Instead of there being the odd water or two which were classed as "weedy" there now seems to be just one or two which are "weedy''. A reversal of fortunes to some extreme. From my postbag and chatting with anglers on the bank it seems that many of you out there are absolutely terrified of the stuff and if you're not avoiding it you are chucking and chancing it. That is pointless my friends and it will cost you carp and chances of carp. There is no need to follow the sheep and accept second best, think about what you are doing, follow the advice I'm going to give and I guarantee you will succeed in the weed
(The Basics)
Lets look at the tackle for success in the weed starting with
a) Rods - Most rods will do for fishing in weed so there's no need to rush out and buy some new ones. Ideally a rod of through action nature and 2 1/2 pounds test curve would be best but whatever rod you own should suffice providing you use some sense. If it’s under 2 1/2 pounds test curve then you will need to clamp down hard and dictate the fight whilst a stronger rod will need some care especially when the fish is in the margins. I use Daiwa 3 pound test curve rods and I don’t have problems so neither should you!
b) Reels - Daiwa, Shimano, etc. - any good reel will do providing it has a good clutch and is well made. You will need to play carp off the clutch especially close in so a proven slipping clutch is more than essential
c) Mainline - My all time favourite and the one I advise you all to use is Berkley Trilene XT in 14 pound breaking strain. This actually breaks when knotted and will not part less than 17 pounds so it’s ideal. In winter I do drop down to 12 or even 10 pounds XT as the weed dies back but the 14 pound version is the one to use. I’ m currently testing the Fox range of line but until it proves itself to be as dependable as XT I cannot go to wild over it. Sylcast is also an excellent choice if your finances are tight
d) Indication - because it’s essential at times to note and strike the slightest of indications sensitive buzzer and visual indicators are essential. I use the best buzzer on the market which are Fox’s DXR and use Fox Mark 1 Swinger, Springers or Hangers depending on the range. To complete the indicators I use stainless steel rod rests and buzzer bars, which allow you to screw a rod rest in each end. Fox, Obelisk and Leslies all sell this kind of buzzer bar
e) Hooks - I have to be able to hit and hold at times and if its unproven it's not in my tackle box. I use the Fox series 1-3 in sizes 4-8, the Ashima C-130 in 4 or 6, or Mustad 34021 in 4-8 if you can get hold of them. Hooks are a very personal thing and it wouldn‘t surprise me if many of you preferred to use Terry Eustace’s Penetrator hooks or even one from the Owner range. Make sure you have absolute confidence in whatever you use!
f) Hook lengths - for most situations it’s Krystons Merlin in 25 or 15 pound rating, Krystons Silkworm in 25 or 15 pound rating, Fox or Carp R Us leadcore line or Amnesia White in 20 or 15 pound rating
g) Knots - for braids it’s the Grinner Knot, for mono the five turn tucked blood knot or Grinner and for stiffness I’ve a superglued loop knot. Lead core is spliced or I’ve a loop knot for that swivel effect
h) Hair lengths - unwaxed dental floss from Fox or from any good drugstore
i) Tubing - for anti-tangle purposes I use Fisher Baits Armatube or Fox lead core in green or brown. On the hook I use Terry Eustace Shrink tube or any good 1/2 - 1 mm soft tube
j) Leads - Korda inline distance leads in 1/2 to 4 ounce weights, occasionally the dumpy version or a running Korda lead if I am getting no taker / responses at all. Only very rarely do I use a backlead which is a Fox version.
Also worth stocking up on are Fox or Carp R U s Stocking type P V A bags and tape, Fox and Kryston putty, Kryston Hawser and Magma, Fox Run Rings, Fox Power Gum, Shot, good hook Sharpener, Forceps, Fox Catapult elastic, Korda Rubber Connectors and lots of luck - and bait!
This is not a recent article but one from Julian's archive enjoy success in the weed JC
(The Basics)
Lets look at the tackle for success in the weed starting with
a) Rods - Most rods will do for fishing in weed so there's no need to rush out and buy some new ones. Ideally a rod of through action nature and 2 1/2 pounds test curve would be best but whatever rod you own should suffice providing you use some sense. If it’s under 2 1/2 pounds test curve then you will need to clamp down hard and dictate the fight whilst a stronger rod will need some care especially when the fish is in the margins. I use Daiwa 3 pound test curve rods and I don’t have problems so neither should you!
b) Reels - Daiwa, Shimano, etc. - any good reel will do providing it has a good clutch and is well made. You will need to play carp off the clutch especially close in so a proven slipping clutch is more than essential
c) Mainline - My all time favourite and the one I advise you all to use is Berkley Trilene XT in 14 pound breaking strain. This actually breaks when knotted and will not part less than 17 pounds so it’s ideal. In winter I do drop down to 12 or even 10 pounds XT as the weed dies back but the 14 pound version is the one to use. I’ m currently testing the Fox range of line but until it proves itself to be as dependable as XT I cannot go to wild over it. Sylcast is also an excellent choice if your finances are tight
d) Indication - because it’s essential at times to note and strike the slightest of indications sensitive buzzer and visual indicators are essential. I use the best buzzer on the market which are Fox’s DXR and use Fox Mark 1 Swinger, Springers or Hangers depending on the range. To complete the indicators I use stainless steel rod rests and buzzer bars, which allow you to screw a rod rest in each end. Fox, Obelisk and Leslies all sell this kind of buzzer bar
e) Hooks - I have to be able to hit and hold at times and if its unproven it's not in my tackle box. I use the Fox series 1-3 in sizes 4-8, the Ashima C-130 in 4 or 6, or Mustad 34021 in 4-8 if you can get hold of them. Hooks are a very personal thing and it wouldn‘t surprise me if many of you preferred to use Terry Eustace’s Penetrator hooks or even one from the Owner range. Make sure you have absolute confidence in whatever you use!
f) Hook lengths - for most situations it’s Krystons Merlin in 25 or 15 pound rating, Krystons Silkworm in 25 or 15 pound rating, Fox or Carp R Us leadcore line or Amnesia White in 20 or 15 pound rating
g) Knots - for braids it’s the Grinner Knot, for mono the five turn tucked blood knot or Grinner and for stiffness I’ve a superglued loop knot. Lead core is spliced or I’ve a loop knot for that swivel effect
h) Hair lengths - unwaxed dental floss from Fox or from any good drugstore
i) Tubing - for anti-tangle purposes I use Fisher Baits Armatube or Fox lead core in green or brown. On the hook I use Terry Eustace Shrink tube or any good 1/2 - 1 mm soft tube
j) Leads - Korda inline distance leads in 1/2 to 4 ounce weights, occasionally the dumpy version or a running Korda lead if I am getting no taker / responses at all. Only very rarely do I use a backlead which is a Fox version.
Also worth stocking up on are Fox or Carp R U s Stocking type P V A bags and tape, Fox and Kryston putty, Kryston Hawser and Magma, Fox Run Rings, Fox Power Gum, Shot, good hook Sharpener, Forceps, Fox Catapult elastic, Korda Rubber Connectors and lots of luck - and bait!
This is not a recent article but one from Julian's archive enjoy success in the weed JC