DUNCAN CHARMAN
DAY – TICKET TACTICS
Specimen angler,
Duncan Charman, visits a different day-ticket venue each month and
explains how he gets the best out of his session. This month he looks
into the art of rolling meat and why more anglers should try it.
The importance of
a moving bait, especially on venues where most anglers are happy to
take the static approach became evident whilst shooting a Tight Lines
feature. I was on one of my favourite stretches of the river Loddon
and after working a dozen or so swims, without so much as a tap on
the rod, stopped at the top of the stretch to plan my next move. The
video really was to see if I could catch an early season barbel and
whilst looking into the tail end of a pool I noticed a chub slide
beneath the far bank margin. Removing the crust from a sandwich I
started trickling pieces through the swim and finally grabbed the
attention of not one but two lumpy chub. Slowly gaining their
confidence I was amazed when a big barbel drifted into sight then
twisted as if interested in the bait. Realising that I had a running
1oz lead on my set up ever so quickly removed this, pressed on a big
piece of flake, and cast into the swim. As the flake headed down
stream one of the chub tried to grab it but I successfully pulled it
away allowing the flake to continue on its journey, well not for long
as the barbel headed straight for it, turned on its side and engulfed
the bait.
Ever since that
day I have watched barbel as much as I can, which is difficult on the
Loddon, but where ever I find them I am amazed how they can compete
with the chub and quite happily, if not clumsily, take a bait well of
bottom. It also made me realised that on many previous occasion, more
than I would like to admit, I have walked away from a swim thinking
that it was devoid of barbel, however if I had trundled a bait
through the swim before leaving could well have hooked and landed
loads more fish.
I have to admit
that trying to use a single rod in a swim and successfully trying
both static fishing and moving baits is difficult so nowadays stick
with having the odd day, especially when I know the banks have been
busy, roving around and edging a piece of luncheon meat through
numerous swims. Mastering the art takes time, years in fact, and I
admit to being no expert at rolling meat but I’m learning all the
time so thought it was time to share a few tips to get you started.
Fortunately when
it comes to rigs then things are relatively straight forward. I use a
1.75lb 10ft Nash Scope rod as this rod is relatively light and can be
held all day as well as having plenty of power to subdue a fish.
Mainline is 10lb Gardner hydroTUFF and this is fished straight
through to the hook which keeps knots and weaknesses to a minimum. On
the mainline I simply add a couple of large Nash Clinger before
moulding a big ball of Tungsten putty around, however to keep cost
down most anglers use plasticine. The great thing about the Clingers
is they can be moved to alter the hook length without damaging the
line however a good starting point is around 10 – 12 inches. As for
the size of plasticine used depends on the depth and current of the
river and again comes with practice. Ideally the weight needs to just
hold bottom but when lifted roll especially if the lake bed is
gravel. As for the hook I use a barbless size 7 Nash Fang X which has
some soldering wire wound around the shank to weigh it down. This
ensures that the hook and bait stays close to the river bed and the
hook is tied on using a Grinner, a very reliable and strong knot.
As for bait then
good old Spam, especially the garlic flavoured is a favourite as is
Princess Pork Luncheon Meat which I pick up for a little as £1 a
tin. Don’t be afraid to use a big bait, one of around an inch and a
half square is about right and I simply trim the corners away so that
it becomes rounded as this rolls better than a square section. Bait
is simply attached to the hook being pushed through, slightly off
centre, so when its twisted and pulled back into the bait the hook
point sits on the outside.
The best way to
search a swim is to cast upstream and allow the line to create a bow
in it. The bait should come to rest on the river bed, yet by lifting
the rod should see the bait start to roll downstream before coming to
rest against something like weed or a stone. When the bait stops
leave it for a few seconds before getting it on the move again. Once
the bow in the line has straightened and the bait reached the
downstream limit then wind in and repeat. I also hold the rod quite
high but instead of watching the rod tip for bites try and
concentrate on where the line enters the water.
The first bite I
felt was one of the typical rod wrenching ones, this was when the
bait had almost come to the end of its course, however quite often
when the bait is upstream or in front then a ‘pluck’ ‘pluck’
feeling is experienced. Striking on different bites come with
experience yet in the early days my advice is to try and tune all
your senses in to the bait travelling downstream and try and imagine
what it is doing. Concentration is paramount and by holding and
feeling the line you should be able to feel the bait trundling across
gravel and stopping on different obstacles, however feel something
different and my advise is to strike.
Gaining confidence
in a method comes with results. Unlike drop-shotting where I just
can’t seem to catch, when rolling meat I was fortunate to catch
relatively quickly. My advice is that if you are fishing a river
where most, if not all, anglers are sitting and fishing static baits
then by becoming active and homing in your skills and senses to this
active and rewarding technique will give you a massive edge over
them.
Images
1 – The home of rolling meat. The
famous Royalty stretch on the Hampshire Avon.
2 – A proper lump from the Loddon.
3 – Small rivers don’t mean small
fish, quite the opposite!
4 – Get that bait moving and search
the swim.
5 – Once you get to know the river
you will be able to roll meat during darkness.
6– Still as good as it ever was!
7 – The final rig, very simple and I
keep the hooklink relatively short, around 10inches.
8 – A great combination for rolling
meat.
9 – Top Tip. Most lines are shinny so
I rub the last few feet in a washing up pad to dull it down.
10 – Its best to add some soldering
wire to the hook to weight it down.
11 – Cutting pieces of the hookbait
to create a rounded shape will make it roll better and place the hook
in the bait so the point is showing.
12A/B – Tungsten clingers are great
as Plasticine or Putty can be moulded around and moved easily
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