Zigs in spring
Bait-Tech's John Bassili reveals how to get the most out of zigs this spring
The time has come after a long depressing dark and miserable winter, to step outside and breath in that spring warm scented air.
No doubt the carp would have felt the water temperatures being notched up by a couple of degrees too. Carp are funny creatures really, cold blooded yet, they love the feel of warmth after a long cold spell. Don't we all? As humans we crave it! As we sit there on the bank feeling the warmth of that sun, slowly warming our souls, they too, will be looking for a warm layer in the lake to feed. That will either be the shallows or just in the upper layers of the lake.
I started fishing zigs around 10 years ago in France at the Les Quis complex after much persuasion by my friend Tob. It's a method I felt too unorthodox at first, "it doesn't feel right" I used to say having a bait suspended in mid water. I want to catch them properly on the bottom over a spread of bait. "Suit yourself" was his response. I then sat hours upon hours listening to his bite alarms screaming off while I was catching the odd one here and there on the bottom. It didn't take too many sessions before I gave in, I can tell you!
Zigs were on! Don't get me wrong, all methods work in certain conditions, if it's low pressure with a storm blowing, I would have all rods on the bottom. A high pressure day in spring these days will never see me fish without a zig on, at least on one rod. My first fish at Les Quis on a zig, was on the very first day of trying it. A 42lb mirror that fought like a demon. And what a take that was too! A full blooded one toner! A simple bit of brown foam on the hair in open water was all it took to catch it, and I went on to catch several more over the years.
The 42lb mirror from Les Quis
The only difference today in the way I fish zigs is my bait application.
If you've seen the Bait-Tech Carp Catchers 3 DVD, you would have seen that I like to make up a couple of spod mixes to attract the fish in the area. That can really keep the fish grubbing away in the zone giving you a chance for multiple catches.
On the hook, I still keep it simple, foam being my favourite choice but dunked in Bait-Tech's Tuna Oil. I've seen fish slurp at that oily 'slicky' scent that this liquid delivers. I would not fish without it!
Bait-Tech's Tuna Oil
I doubt many lakes would have seen many zigs in the last few weeks and months, so before we're all out on the banks thrashing the water to a foam with leads and zigs, get out there and give it a go, you will be surprised how effective it is at this time of year!
Until next time, keep zigging!
John Bassili