It’s time to think about a number of changes to your approaches now that the rustic colours of autumn are here. Here’s the BobCo guide to tactics, bait and tackle..
1. Scale down your lines
Where you fished 6lb or 8lb hooklengths in summer it’s time to scale down to 4lb (0.14mm) or even 3lb (0.12mm) for match-sized carp. For F1s you should drop down to 2lb (0.10mm) – lighter lines get more bites in clearer, cold water and fluorocarbon is a good option too. BobCo recommends:
2. Try a smaller hook
Smaller hooks are more inconspicuous so are more likely to be picked up by fish feeding cautiously and more lethargically. So drop the 14s and 16s and try an 18 or even a 20. Also consider switching to a slightly finer gauge hook, which will be lighter and offer better presentation. BobCo recommends:
Bobco recommends:
3. Use a smaller feeder
Forget loading up and launching a large Method feeder. There’s now too much bait on it! Opt for something like a small pellet feeder or mini/small Hybrid, you want a little pinch of pellets that isn’t going to fill fish up too quickly. BobCo recommends:
4. Feed less bait!
This brings us nicely onto tip number four – cut down on your feed! You’ll be surprised how little you can get away with feeding to get a bite from a carp – often just three to five pellets is enough through a pole cup. Big pots can simply ruin the swim or mean foul-hooked fish. BobCo recommends:
5. Get that float dotted down
Now is definitely the time to start dotting your float tip right down to a speck. Even carp bites can now become tiny dinks and half the time F1 bites won’t even take the float under. Too much bristle means you won’t see all of your true bites.
6. Use a hollow bristle
With bankside foliage several different colours and a low sun it can be a nightmare to see a float at this time of year. Go for a bright, hollow tip which will glow and don’t forget a pair of sunglasses too, in case the sun’s in your face. BobCo recommends:
7. Try soft pellets
Expander pellets start to come into their own now as fish look for softer baits which are easier to take in. Plus you’re less likely to have a soft bait taken by small nuisance fish. Use 4mm expanders for F1s and skimmers, and 6mm for carp. BobCo recommends:
8. Get on a river
For something a bit different try a flowing water venue – this is an absolutely prime time for a nice net of roach or even a few big chub and barbel. For the roach a good old stickfoat on a 14-15ft rod is ideal, with bronze maggots a good bait, although you can also try and get the better fish going on hemp and tares. BobCo recommends:
9. Fish in deeper water
On a snake lake or island swim, consider dropping down the shelf a bit. As the water becomes clearer you won’t catch fish in the shallowest depth tight to islands like the summer months so look to find at least 2.5ft or 3ft of depth.
10. Softer pole elastics
Consider dropping down a grade or two with your elastic. Fish are starting to slow down so this means there’s less chance of bumping fish, especially F1s and skimmers. A light 6-10 hollow or something like a 6-8 solid is ideal for these fish. BobCo recommends:
