How To Master The Baiting Pole
They are magic but you'll definitely get stressed using one for the first time
There’s a good reason that baiting poles are seemingly as popular as Ronnie Rigs in 2024: they’ve granted you access to a lot of previously unfishable spots. However, mastering them takes some practise. Baiting pole pro, Oli Davies, is here to pass on his wisdom with 10 top tips for getting the most out of one.
1. Load the line towards the rod
In order to ensure I always tip the Bushwhacker head the right way I always run the leader out of the side where the rod is. That way I always tip towards the rod and there is absolutely no chance of getting muddled.
2. Assemble in and out of the bag
Avoid double handling sections and minimise the amount of dirt that can get in the joints by placing the carry bag behind where you need the pole to be and shipping it out, and straight back into the bag.
3. Work with multiples
Rather than adding one pole at a time I always work in multiples of 4, 5 and 6 sections depending on how much room there is behind me. It’s faster, quieter, smoother and more accurate to do it this way.
4. Light it up
After dark, keep track of the baiting spoon at longer ranges by adding reflective or glow-in-the-dark tape to it. It also helps to have a bright head torch to guide it to far bank features. The light bothers other anglers more than it does the fish.
5. Don’t overload
Remember that you are fishing for a bite at a time, so think carefully how much bait you are going to need to get that bite. Often, it’s not a lot at all, and you will just have to wait longer for a bite, or risk sinking the spoon by over-filling it.
6. Pack it away
In a one-bite situation, or when I won’t need it again, I ship the pole straight back into the bag once the rod (or rods) are out. Often I’m fishing off the barrow and it’s much easier—both psychologically and physically—to move if the pole is back in the bag!
7. Keep it clean
When I’m joining two poles I always give the inside of the female section a quick clean with my finger to remove any dirt and grit. Grit can prevent smooth connection and properly seating the pin and that risks the sections coming apart mid-operation.
8. Load the rig last
The weight of the lead pulls the rig quickly from the spoon when you flip it, and if it’s buried in a pile of bait there is a risk of it catching one of the free offerings. I’ve hooked a bit of flake and a tare in the past by putting the bait over the rig.
9. Don’t foam it
I’ve had quite a few really quick bites dropping the rig on or amongst feeding fish. Sometimes the bail arm is still open and the pole is being shipped back. A bit of foam on the hook would have meant the rig wasn’t fishing immediately and would have cost me those quick bites!
10. Keep it on track
When shipping out it pays to constantly adjust the path and keep the Bushwhacker on course. The further out you get the harder it is to make big changes to the direction of the head. Don’t forget to compensate for crosswinds and drift too. Practise makes perfect!
CARPology’s monthly roving venue reporter, Stu Lennox, is a big fan of the baiting pole, here he reveals 5 things to consider when you use one.
Choose Your Spots
“Nowadays, pretty much everyone has a Bushwhacker, so give some thought to where you might position your hookbait. That obvious and previously unreachable overhanging tree at 15 metres has probably been fished to death. Think outside the box, and see where else you could fish that may not have seen a bait.”
Oil Your Bags
“I love to use solid bags with the Bushwhacker. To prevent water that splashes over the side of the scoop, or perhaps light rain from causing premature melting, I cover the outside of my bags with hemp oil. This gives them a protective outer coating that buys you time when shipping out to the spot.”
Be Patient
“If you do end up off target, be patient and take your time. The scoop will eventually swing round to where you want it. It just takes time, so don’t rush, and don’t bring it back in and go again.”
On Target
“Line all the pole sections up with your intended spot, and be exact. Even if they’re only slightly out, you’ll miss your target, and this will see you having to spend time correcting everything.”
Line Out
“I know Oli said this, but it’s so important: have the line exiting the Bushwhacker the same side as your rod. You can become quite preoccupied when shipping out, and it can be easy to forget the side on which you placed the line. If you tip your rig out the wrong way, it will catch across the pole and you will have to redo it. If it’s always on the rod side, you know you have to tip it that way. This will see you avoid frustrations later.”
