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Re: My First Attempt at Flavouring Luncheon Meat
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 4:59 pm
by Beresford
How do you hook your meat based baits? I've been using a baiting needle to pull the hook through the centre before turning it 90 degrees and then pulling it back into the meat. Last night I had four good takes none of which connected, although three others did. I wondered if there was a better method of mounting the bait to ensure the hook will penetrate.
(Just to be clear I'm setting up the bait directly on the hook – no horrible hair rigs.)
Re: My First Attempt at Flavouring Luncheon Meat
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 7:29 pm
by Dave Burr
Beresford wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2017 4:59 pm
How do you hook your meat based baits? I've been using a baiting needle to pull the hook through the centre before turning it 90 degrees and then pulling it back into the meat. Last night I had four good takes none of which connected, although three others did. I wondered if there was a better method of mounting the bait to ensure the hook will penetrate.
(Just to be clear I'm setting up the bait directly on the hook – no horrible hair rigs.)
Use a bigger hook Beresford. In the old days folk used size 2's but a 4 is plenty big enough. I tend to use an 8 or 6 and most strikes hit home but, of course, smaller fish (chub especially), will hit a lump of meat hard and be nowhere near the hook point. Adding a bit of grass stem across the hook bend helps keep the bait on so that grab from a fish will be less likely to dislodge it.
Re: My First Attempt at Flavouring Luncheon Meat
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 7:39 pm
by Beresford
Dave – thanks. I'm using size 6, I had thought of going up to a four but wondered if the increased weight would upset the way the bait behaves. I have to be pretty pedantic about how I present the bait to these fish. I'm fishing very close in shallow water, and they spook either at the sight of line entering the water or the feeling of the line against themselves. I think it's the latter so I thread thin rig tube up the line. It helps pin the line down over the feeding area but I'm also convinced that they see/feel it as natural thing like a weed stem as it doesn't seem to spook them at all and the difference in bites and fish saying in the area is noticeably better when using the rig tube. Prior to using it I had a number of super fast baits that I just couldn't strike at fast enough and had no idea how the fish were confidently taking the bait but then the hook failing to penetrate. I also lost one fish that partially bent out a Drennan Super Specialist hook which would suggest a size four could be worth trying.
I use a braid hook link. Thanks for the grass tip – I must remember that.
Re: My First Attempt at Flavouring Luncheon Meat
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 10:40 pm
by Dave Burr
Beresford wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2017 7:39 pm
Dave – thanks. I'm using size 6, I had thought of going up to a four but wondered if the increased weight would upset the way the bait behaves. I have to be pretty pedantic about how I present the bait to these fish. I'm fishing very close in shallow water, and they spook either at the sight of line entering the water or the feeling of the line against themselves. I think it's the latter so I thread thin rig tube up the line. It helps pin the line down over the feeding area but I'm also convinced that they see/feel it as natural thing like a weed stem as it doesn't seem to spook them at all and the difference in bites and fish saying in the area is noticeably better when using the rig tube. Prior to using it I had a number of super fast baits that I just couldn't strike at fast enough and had no idea how the fish were confidently taking the bait but then the hook failing to penetrate. I also lost one fish that partially bent out a Drennan Super Specialist hook which would suggest a size four could be worth trying.
I use a braid hook link. Thanks for the grass tip – I must remember that.
If you are up close and personal with some spooky fish, you may get more positive bites with small baits. You can chop meat into tiny cubes (it takes ages
but can be worth it) and fish them like particles. One or two bits on a suitable hook may bring you confident bites that are easier to hook. Likewise, a long hooklink of 3-4' will separate the bait from the lead and mainline which all helps and back lead (which can be just a lump of plasticine heavy enough to sit in the current) will nail everything right down and help retain the fish's confidence.
One warning. If you get it completely right the fish bite so confidently that you may get chub bite offs. It shows you are on the right track but just have to shorten the hooklength of build in a little bit of resistance somewhere. As you may tell, I have played this game once or twice
Re: My First Attempt at Flavouring Luncheon Meat
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 10:52 pm
by Beresford
Dave,
Thanks. I'll try smaller baits. I fish the meat over a bed of particles, hemp if I have time to cook or otherwise pellets. If I go up to 4' of braid it'll be coming up the bank as I'm fishing in so close however, it's a great idea as it sinks so well and would avoid that line rubbing the fish up the wrong way problem. I don't use any weight on the line other than the swivel and the rig tube, I guess I could use lead core to pin whole lot down and I have considered that in the past. I have a small float laying flat on the surface or a nymphing style strike indicator either of which is just about on the bank so it's not bobbing around over their heads as they don't like that.
Re: My First Attempt at Flavouring Luncheon Meat
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 10:03 am
by Dave Burr
Beresford wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2017 10:52 pm
Dave,
Thanks. I'll try smaller baits. I fish the meat over a bed of particles, hemp if I have time to cook or otherwise pellets. If I go up to 4' of braid it'll be coming up the bank as I'm fishing in so close however, it's a great idea as it sinks so well and would avoid that line rubbing the fish up the wrong way problem. I don't use any weight on the line other than the swivel and the rig tube, I guess I could use lead core to pin whole lot down and I have considered that in the past. I have a small float laying flat on the surface or a nymphing style strike indicator either of which is just about on the bank so it's not bobbing around over their heads as they don't like that.
Sounds like fun. If the 'line fear' is still an issue consider losing the float/indicator and push your rod right into the water until it's touching or almost touching the bottom. It's just a stick to the fish but it will do the job and your reel will tell you when you have a bite.
Re: My First Attempt at Flavouring Luncheon Meat
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:50 pm
by Beresford
I'll let you know how the game develops. I went to the pool last night only to discover that I had forgotten to load a rod into the car…
Re: My First Attempt at Flavouring Luncheon Meat
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:58 pm
by Dave Burr
Beresford wrote: ↑Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:50 pm
I'll let you know how the game develops. I went to the pool last night only to discover that I had forgotten to load a rod into the car…
Re: My First Attempt at Flavouring Luncheon Meat
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 1:18 pm
by Paul F
Hot and spicy spam, nice red colour and smelly
From B&M stores reduced from 99p to 69p, not all store appear to stock it but worth checking out.
Re: My First Attempt at Flavouring Luncheon Meat
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 9:45 pm
by Bobthefloat
Paul F wrote: ↑Mon Aug 07, 2017 1:18 pm
Hot and spicy spam, nice red colour and smelly
From B&M stores reduced from 99p to 69p, not all store appear to stock it but worth checking out.
There was a garlic version a while back a brought a fair few tins I do like the look of this one thanks for putting this up paul
