Coarse Fishing
Discussion
I see the mods closed Clifford's thread on fishing referring him to a thread titled Fly Fishing. This is of course different to the more commonly practiced course fishing and using different rods, reels, lines and of course, baits. It's also not where one would expect to search to find an answer to his specific question; why does Paul tell Bob not to wind?
The reason, incidentally, is because you use the angle of the rod to take the strain of playing the fish, and only wind when there is less tension in the line, lowering the rod as you do so. When landing the fish it's best to keep the rod high so that the fish can be more easily guided into the landing net.
That said, I've seen videos of youngsters these days with 15lb line and rods with a 2.5lb test curves simply reeling in a 10lb carp from one of their over stocked commercial ponds and reveling in glee as they do so.
The reason, incidentally, is because you use the angle of the rod to take the strain of playing the fish, and only wind when there is less tension in the line, lowering the rod as you do so. When landing the fish it's best to keep the rod high so that the fish can be more easily guided into the landing net.
That said, I've seen videos of youngsters these days with 15lb line and rods with a 2.5lb test curves simply reeling in a 10lb carp from one of their over stocked commercial ponds and reveling in glee as they do so.
Fishing is a great pastime but it's odd in that the wealthy seem to fly fish, and coarse fishing is predominantly a working class hobby. It's not necessarily cheap either once you get more into it.
I used to fish regularly but haven't been on the bank since my kids were born. I considered getting back into it this year but would need to buy all the kit as I sold everything a few years ago.
I used to fish regularly but haven't been on the bank since my kids were born. I considered getting back into it this year but would need to buy all the kit as I sold everything a few years ago.
I have my dad's old fly fishing stuff... I have never used it, keep thinking I should try... For Pike.
I am a 90% of the time River Ribble fisherman, Barbel are my obsession, I am 2oz away from a 7lb Chub and 1oz away from a 12lb Barb.
These targets have kept me going back for 3 years.
I have 5 pb's from the river, I was not fishing for pike, bream, eel but I'll take it.
Last golden girl I caught...
I am a 90% of the time River Ribble fisherman, Barbel are my obsession, I am 2oz away from a 7lb Chub and 1oz away from a 12lb Barb.
These targets have kept me going back for 3 years.
I have 5 pb's from the river, I was not fishing for pike, bream, eel but I'll take it.
Last golden girl I caught...
RichB said:
I see the mods closed Clifford's thread on fishing referring him to a thread titled Fly Fishing. This is of course different to the more commonly practiced course fishing and using different rods, reels, lines and of course, baits. It's also not where one would expect to search to find an answer to his specific question; why does Paul tell Bob not to wind?
The reason, incidentally, is because you use the angle of the rod to take the strain of playing the fish, and only wind when there is less tension in the line, lowering the rod as you do so. When landing the fish it's best to keep the rod high so that the fish can be more easily guided into the landing net.
The reason is twofold, as the bend in the rod will only take so much pressure, and equally the line will break at some point. So, in adddtion you have the drag on the reel, which is set to pay out line before it, or the rod, breaks.The reason, incidentally, is because you use the angle of the rod to take the strain of playing the fish, and only wind when there is less tension in the line, lowering the rod as you do so. When landing the fish it's best to keep the rod high so that the fish can be more easily guided into the landing net.
In ideal circumstances, the entire outfit is matched to the fish you're after. ie a rod strong enough to apply appropriate pressure on the fish, line strength based on a number factors including casting distance, abrasion resistance and size of fish. and a reel that can exert sufficient drag pressure.
The end result is that you let the fish run and take line, whilst applying resistance with both the rod and the reel's drag, to tire the fish, and only wind when the fish stops, in order to bring it closer. This process may repeat several times during the fight.
QJumper said:
RichB said:
I see the mods closed Clifford's thread on fishing referring him to a thread titled Fly Fishing. This is of course different to the more commonly practiced course fishing and using different rods, reels, lines and of course, baits. It's also not where one would expect to search to find an answer to his specific question; why does Paul tell Bob not to wind?
The reason, incidentally, is because you use the angle of the rod to take the strain of playing the fish, and only wind when there is less tension in the line, lowering the rod as you do so. When landing the fish it's best to keep the rod high so that the fish can be more easily guided into the landing net.
The reason is twofold, as the bend in the rod will only take so much pressure, and equally the line will break at some point. So, in adddtion you have the drag on the reel, which is set to pay out line before it, or the rod, breaks.The reason, incidentally, is because you use the angle of the rod to take the strain of playing the fish, and only wind when there is less tension in the line, lowering the rod as you do so. When landing the fish it's best to keep the rod high so that the fish can be more easily guided into the landing net.
In ideal circumstances, the entire outfit is matched to the fish you're after. ie a rod strong enough to apply appropriate pressure on the fish, line strength based on a number factors including casting distance, abrasion resistance and size of fish. and a reel that can exert sufficient drag pressure.
The end result is that you let the fish run and take line, whilst applying resistance with both the rod and the reel's drag, to tire the fish, and only wind when the fish stops, in order to bring it closer. This process may repeat several times during the fight.
QJumper said:
RichB said:
Yes, I was being overly simplistic, realising one could write a whole chapter on how to play a fish
Indeed. And then someone will come along and say "no, you do it this way" 
As is the case with playing fish off the drag vs backwinding.Anyway, so as I started the topic I thought I'd better add some more details about my fishing. I started when I was about 7 or 8 and I'm 67 now so something like 60 years. As a kid it was somewhere on the Thames, on the Grand Union Canal or perhaps a lake at Osterley Park. Time I could drive I spent a lot of time fishing the gravel pits in West Drayton mostly for bream, tench and wild carp, no stocked Lennies where I used to go! Like a lot of us I suspect I more or less stopped fishing when my family came along but having retired a couple of years ago I rejoined the club I used to belong to 25 years ago. I struck me how poor the condition of the waters are now compared to the late '80s but that's another story.
These days I really enjoy fishing on the Kennet, the Loddon and my local river that in places is only say 5 meters wide but it's great fun, more stalking/roaming than camping out with a bivvy, three rods and spods plus a week's worth of clobber. Most of my fishing is done with my old gear, works perfectly, B James split cane rods and my centre pin but I do have pair of Mitchells too ;-)
Best so far from this is some decent bream, roach and perch but I know there's some decent chub to 6lb and barbel to 10lbs+.
I guess that's what keeps us going.
These days I really enjoy fishing on the Kennet, the Loddon and my local river that in places is only say 5 meters wide but it's great fun, more stalking/roaming than camping out with a bivvy, three rods and spods plus a week's worth of clobber. Most of my fishing is done with my old gear, works perfectly, B James split cane rods and my centre pin but I do have pair of Mitchells too ;-)
Best so far from this is some decent bream, roach and perch but I know there's some decent chub to 6lb and barbel to 10lbs+.
I guess that's what keeps us going.
RichB said:
Anyway, so as I started the topic I thought I'd better add some more details about my fishing. I started when I was about 7 or 8 and I'm 67 now so something like 60 years. As a kid it was somewhere on the Thames, on the Grand Union Canal or perhaps a lake at Osterley Park. Time I could drive I spent a lot of time fishing the gravel pits in West Drayton mostly for bream, tench and wild carp, no stocked Lennies where I used to go! Like a lot of us I suspect I more or less stopped fishing when my family came along but having retired a couple of years ago I rejoined the club I used to belong to 25 years ago. I struck me how poor the condition of the waters are now compared to the late '80s but that's another story.
These days I really enjoy fishing on the Kennet, the Loddon and my local river that in places is only say 5 meters wide but it's great fun, more stalking/roaming than camping out with a bivvy, three rods and spods plus a week's worth of clobber. Most of my fishing is done with my old gear, works perfectly, B James split cane rods and my centre pin but I do have pair of Mitchells too ;-)
Best so far from this is some decent bream, roach and perch but I know there's some decent chub to 6lb and barbel to 10lbs+.
I guess that's what keeps us going.
Travelling light definitely appeals more. The amount of tackle people move about bankside is staggering really. These days I really enjoy fishing on the Kennet, the Loddon and my local river that in places is only say 5 meters wide but it's great fun, more stalking/roaming than camping out with a bivvy, three rods and spods plus a week's worth of clobber. Most of my fishing is done with my old gear, works perfectly, B James split cane rods and my centre pin but I do have pair of Mitchells too ;-)
Best so far from this is some decent bream, roach and perch but I know there's some decent chub to 6lb and barbel to 10lbs+.
I guess that's what keeps us going.
Chicken Chaser said:
Travelling light definitely appeals more. The amount of tackle people move about bankside is staggering really.
When I went somewhere on my bike I had everything I needed in a saddle bag, rods tied to the crossbar and my lunch/flask in a gasmask bag over my shoulder. Nothing much has changed other than perhaps needing something to sit on these days 
RichB said:
Chicken Chaser said:
Travelling light definitely appeals more. The amount of tackle people move about bankside is staggering really.
When I went somewhere on my bike I had everything I needed in a saddle bag, rods tied to the crossbar and my lunch/flask in a gasmask bag over my shoulder. Nothing much has changed other than perhaps needing something to sit on these days First time he used it we were trying a new to us stretch of the Ribble, really hot day, we were going to fish overnight.
It was packed, we chose to go left downstream, many ditches, gates, fences later we were both knackered carrying the flipping barrow.
I travel lighter...
Seem to remember catching my smallest Barb, maybe 3lbs, fought like Moby Dick in the fast water.
When I had packed in the morning I went over to his swim, he was fast asleep with his alarms on... I couldn't help myself, reached up and pulled both lines, one of us thought it was very, very funny.
RichB said:
Anyway, so as I started the topic I thought I'd better add some more details about my fishing. I started when I was about 7 or 8 and I'm 67 now so something like 60 years. As a kid it was somewhere on the Thames, on the Grand Union Canal or perhaps a lake at Osterley Park. Time I could drive I spent a lot of time fishing the gravel pits in West Drayton mostly for bream, tench and wild carp, no stocked Lennies where I used to go! Like a lot of us I suspect I more or less stopped fishing when my family came along but having retired a couple of years ago I rejoined the club I used to belong to 25 years ago. I struck me how poor the condition of the waters are now compared to the late '80s but that's another story.
These days I really enjoy fishing on the Kennet, the Loddon and my local river that in places is only say 5 meters wide but it's great fun, more stalking/roaming than camping out with a bivvy, three rods and spods plus a week's worth of clobber. Most of my fishing is done with my old gear, works perfectly, B James split cane rods and my centre pin but I do have pair of Mitchells too ;-)
Best so far from this is some decent bream, roach and perch but I know there's some decent chub to 6lb and barbel to 10lbs+.
I guess that's what keeps us going.
Sounds like we fished simlar areas at a similar time.These days I really enjoy fishing on the Kennet, the Loddon and my local river that in places is only say 5 meters wide but it's great fun, more stalking/roaming than camping out with a bivvy, three rods and spods plus a week's worth of clobber. Most of my fishing is done with my old gear, works perfectly, B James split cane rods and my centre pin but I do have pair of Mitchells too ;-)
Best so far from this is some decent bream, roach and perch but I know there's some decent chub to 6lb and barbel to 10lbs+.
I guess that's what keeps us going.
My youth was spent fishing Gunnersbury park, for roach, perch, gudgeon, crucian carp, and small common carp. There were always tales of large carp, but I never saw one. Last time I went was many years ago, after it had been stocked with pike. As I got older and could drive, I also migrated to the more westerly gravel pits, stocked with larger carp, and joined a couple of syndicates. Boyers was one if I remember correctly.
Eventually though I got tired of the noisy groups of other carp fishermen and switched my attention to a private lake in France, where I caught my first 30lb carp. I fished there until it closed for bookings, ending my final visit with my best ever, a 59lb carp. I now fish another private French lake, for Catfish now, with best to date being 115lb.
All my fishing is done with mullt piece travel rods, there are some great quality ones these days, and they make packing/travelling so much easier. Reels are more modern heavy duty ones, due to size of fish, as my older, smaller baitrunners were torn apart by the catfish. I try to travel as light as possible and have got it down to two bags, one for rods and reels, the other for tackle, but then there's bait, a seat and clothing to pack for a week abroad.
I enjoy the privacy of rentiing one's own lake, with it's own house, in the middle of the French countryside, but hope to try the Thames again at some point as well.
QJumper said:
Sounds like we fished similar areas at a similar time. <clip>
We certainly did! Gunnersbury Park fishing pond (apparently called the Potomac Pond but I never called it that) was somewhere I fished with a couple of friends. Funniest story was when my mate saw his float dive under, he struck and for a few minutes he thought he was into something like a 10lb carp when suddenly a mallard broke the surface and started flying around on the end of my mate's line! We encouraged him to play it in until it was near enough for me to catch it in the landing net. We couldn't stop laughing but fortunately the duck was neatly hooked in the side of it's beak and using a disgorger so as not to get bitten, I unhooked it and off it flew! 
Bowyers was who I belonged to when I mentioned West Drayton, there was a small pit, unfortunately now under the M4 / M25 intersection where I caught three 7 lb carp in one session free lining just a lump of bread paste on a No4 hook. Not huge but great fun. Bowyers also had a stretch of the Thames from Maidenhead down to Bray lock, caught a smashing 5lb chub near the lock cut.
RichB said:
I see the mods closed Clifford's thread on fishing referring him to a thread titled Fly Fishing. This is of course different to the more commonly practiced course fishing and using different rods, reels, lines and of course, baits. It's also not where one would expect to search to find an answer to his specific question; why does Paul tell Bob not to wind?
The reason, incidentally, is because you use the angle of the rod to take the strain of playing the fish, and only wind when there is less tension in the line, lowering the rod as you do so. When landing the fish it's best to keep the rod high so that the fish can be more easily guided into the landing net.
That said, I've seen videos of youngsters these days with 15lb line and rods with a 2.5lb test curves simply reeling in a 10lb carp from one of their over stocked commercial ponds and reveling in glee as they do so.
Good call RichB. I saw that thread earlier and was about to ask the Mods to change the title to 'The Fishing Thread'. It was discussed ages ago but I was too lazy to bother. It's not been posted on for a long time and to be honest my fishing days are over now. The reason, incidentally, is because you use the angle of the rod to take the strain of playing the fish, and only wind when there is less tension in the line, lowering the rod as you do so. When landing the fish it's best to keep the rod high so that the fish can be more easily guided into the landing net.
That said, I've seen videos of youngsters these days with 15lb line and rods with a 2.5lb test curves simply reeling in a 10lb carp from one of their over stocked commercial ponds and reveling in glee as they do so.
Maybe changing the name of your thread to 'Fishing' or 'The Fishing Thread' and I close my thread down with a Topic Closed and redirect into here would be an idea?
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