Tuesday 16 June 2009

Be kind, use a net.


Sadly no fishing tonight. Home late from work, then cook tea for kids and some other stuff to do. Long story short no time for fishing. Anyway last nights catch brought about a change in my setup, first thing this morning I was off to Country Life for a Fox Match Fish Safe Drip Dry Spoon landing net. I fish light tackle as I enjoy catching fish. Most of my canal catches are small fish, I use light No.4 Preston Elastic which is fine for lifting most straight from the water without harming the fish. Unexpectedly though I seem to be getting my fare share of better fish and feel trying to lift them is more likely to harm them, hence I am now armed with a suitable method of landing my catch without damage. I feel this is important as it satisfies my conscience and ensures my future sport.

4 comments:

  1. hi

    Enjoyed reading your blog. I've recently taken up fishing but have yet to have my first catch. I'm quite close to the canal as i stay out by riccarton. I went down the other night and tried a floating rig with a large worm bait but no luck. (i only really had about an hour to fish there so not much surprise)

    Would appreciate any tips you could give like what depth to set the hook at, what places are good to fish.....under bridges? near the edge?..in the middle? etc

    Thanks

    good luck

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  2. Glad you enjoyed my blog so far. In response lets start with the rig. The Union Canal is on average around 4 to 5 feet and so take a quick peek at the link Newton Angling Tips, scroll down to Pole rig and thats more or less what I use. My overall length of rig is 6 to 7 feet, but my depth of fishing depends on whether any fish are rising. I usually start fishing at about 4 feet but as soon as i see surface movement I slide that float pronto and fish around 1 to 2 feet. As to where, everywhere, sometimes right at your feet but my usual preferences are stretches with some weed cover, I feel hidden so I guess so do the fish. Wherever I start I will always fan out from edge nearest me and work out moving bait frequently. Last point if using worm thats great but not a whole one, nip about a half inch (1cm) piece off and remember small hooks.

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  3. Hi just want to say how much I'm enjoying your blog. It has inspired me to start fishing the canal again, something I have not done since I was a lad. Been out twice so far and have caught 4 fish. both sessions were only for a few hours so I'm pleased with the results so far.
    Keep up the good work.
    Tam

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  4. Tight Lines Tam! Glad to be inspiring :)

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