We get done loads, but how often are we getting done?

In the ancient olden days, before the Below The Surface features started, we thought we got done occasionally but weren’t really sure how often. With the advantage of my getting underwater and seeing first hand what is going on, we now know that we get done quite a lot.

Rig efficiency and lead size has a big effect on whether the carp can get away with it, but indication is a massively important part of the equation. If the fish are feeding but we don’t know about it then we are done for. In an ideal world the bobbin rattles and the buzzer screams but you know what, it probably would do so a lot more if we got all the parts of the equation right. The right rig in the right place with the right indication and line lay equals significantly more fish. I can’t tell you here and now what the right line lay and indication is because I’m not fishing your swim with you but you should always work on the basis that as soon as the lead moves you want indication. Tighten up, use a bigger lead to increase bolt effect, stop fannying around with small hooks and put a bigger one (anything smaller than size 6 in my eyes is far too small most of the time) and set-up your indicators properly.

I remember the first time I witnessed myself getting well and truly done. I swam out and actually wrote the word ‘BAIT’ in boilies on the bottom of the lake and my hookbait was the dot above the ‘i’. I wanted to see how much they would eat and if they moved bait round the swim. One single bleep later and I go out to investigate and the word has been eaten and my hookbait dumped in the weed about a foot away. Slack lines and poor line lay meant that I had missed a chance. Lesson learned.

Obstacles in the way and an in sensitive set-up will always reduce your chances of indication. In this day and age of pressurised fish and carp that have wised up to getting rid of rigs, it all adds up to be an important part of the carp fishing equation.