Tackle
(a) General
Always use balanced tackle that is in good condition and suitable for the species and fishery situation. If in doubt, seek advice.
Be aware that 'line class' records can give rise to fishing with tackle that is far too light for the intended quarry. This is actively discouraged.
Do not fish in areas where lost fish are a virtual certainty (i.e. excessively snaggy swims).
(b) Pole Fishing
When fishing canals do not place your pole across the towpath, restricting the access rights of other users. The same applies to park lakes and other busy places with public access.
Ensure that spare poles and pole sections are positioned parallel to the bank, preferably on a pole rack, to allow unobstructed passage for other bankside users.
When landing fish ensure that your pole can be unshipped without causing similar obstruction.
Always ensure that you remove your pole in good time to allow boats to pass.
Never allow your pole to encroach onto other people's gardens, fences and paths etc without permission.
Do not leave your pole unattended with a baited hook-left in the water; it endangers fish, is particularly vulnerable to tackle loss, and is illegal (Environment Agency Bylaw), and baited hooks left out of the water can be picked up by birds and animals.
Pole fishing leaves you particularly vulnerable to overhead power cables-LOOK OUT-LOOK UP!
Take the weight of long poles across your knees to reduce the risk of back strain.
(c) Rod numbers/night fishing
Never leave baited rods unattended or unsupervised. Agency byelaws require that while fishing, all rods should be under sufficient control of the angler. Current legislation in England and Wales permits an angler to fish for coarse fish with a maximum of four rods at any one time. Each rod licence entitles the angler to use two rods, with two separate licences required if three, or four rods are to be used. Note that although the four rod limit is a National bylaw in England and Wales, fishery owners or managers retain the right to set a lower limit, if they deem it more suitable.
Whilst on waters with low fish densities multiple rods can be used with no detrimental effects, where fish stocks are high multiple rod usage may not be appropriate and a number of points should be taken into consideration when deciding on the number to use;
- How many rods are actually needed to catch? A single rod approach would be more suitable for certain types of fishing. When fishing for less pressurized fish, or alternatively, fish that are wary of disturbance, a single rod approach can be more effective.
- Are you able to fully control multiple rods, and use them sensibly, without impeding the fishing of others in any way? The swim must also be able to accommodate them too.
- Will you be in control of all rods in use, with effective visual and/or audible bite indication (preferably both) on each? On no account should baited rods be left unattended or unsupervised (Environment Agency Byelaw)
- It is recommended that some spacing is left between rods through using either two pods of two rods each, or single bank sticks, to help avoid tangles. Note however that the rods must be placed
such that the distance between the butts of the end rods does not exceed three metres (Environment Agency Byelaw)
- Never exceed the number of rods permitted on the fishery, or the number dictated by the applicable Environment Agency bylaw. Ignorance of the rules, or the law, is no defence.
Multiple rod usage can certainly enhance angling productivity, but use only when suitable! We would also add that long stay anglers in particular often fish whilst asleep, which is completely acceptable providing bite alarms are properly used to ensure a bite wakes the angler instantly. Do check buzzers will wake you even when asleep, extension boxes will provide good warning without disturbing other anglers. Also consider speed of access to your rods by putting the bivvy as close as possible, and leaving the door and sleeping bag unzipped whenever practical.
Rigs
(a) General
Your first priority is the safety and well-being of the fish.
Tether-rigs must not be used. If the line breaks, the tackle must be free to slide off the line - a towed lead, feeder or float could snag and trap the fish.
(For examples of these dangerous rigs, and some acceptable alternatives, see Appendices C, D, E, F, G, H, & I.)
Remember that if shock-leaders are used, the leader-knot must always be able to slide through the rig. Also consider the use of barbless or reduced barb hooks as an additional precaution.
While the deliberate foul-hooking of fish is illegal, it is inevitable that this occasionally happens accidentally. Some regional Agency byelaws require that accidentally foul-hooked fish are returned immediately to the water. Other byelaws limit the number and/or size of hooks that may be used in conjunction with a single rod or attached to a lure, in order to reduce the likelihood of foul-hooking fish. Avoid rigs that are likely to result in foulhooking. Similarly, rigs that are likely to result in deep-hooking of fish should be avoided.
Great consideration should be given before using double-hook rigs, where two separately baited hooks are employed on the same rod. Extreme caution should be taken, and they should not be used in heavy weed. They may also be banned in some regions by the local byelaws. To avoid the dangers of leaving a fish tethered to a snag in the event of a break in the main line, both hook links must be free to slide off the line.
Please use barbless or reduced barb hooks wherever possible; the widespread use of these should be actively encouraged, especially barbless in the smaller sizes, 14 downwards. Note however some anglers believe large barbless hooks can be harmful, particularly for perch.
Bent hooks should not be used (The term "bent" hooks refers to certain long shank carp hooks bent at 30° in the middle)
The use of most sizes of lead weights is illegal and non-toxic weights are widely available. Lead weights of 0.06grams (No.8 shot) or less or of more than 28.35 grams (1oz) may be used. While it is legal to use lead "dust" shot in size 8 and smaller, they are toxic if ingested by birds, and should be used with care; always use in spill-proof containers and dispose of used lead safely at home.
Lead core leaders as used for carp fishing can easily tangle on underwater snags due to their tendency to wrap around snags, etc. and tether a fish, should the main-line break. There is a substantial body of opinion against the use of lead-core leaders. If they are to be used we strongly recommend that extreme caution be exercised and the following points be adopted;
- Maximum length of lead core leader should be 3Õ, holding down longer lengths of line than this can easily be achieved by using flying back-leads
- Leads MUST be able to slide over the leader-knot so a lost fish is not also towing the lead as well as the leader; splicing the two lines together in accordance with the instructions given by the manufacturers of lead core is usually sufficient to achieve this but do CHECK that the lead can detach itself from the leader
- 12lb minimum main line to be used
- As an added precaution the use of safety leads (inline) or safety-clips (pendant) which release the lead, is recommended; check that the safety clip does release the lead properly
- Lead core should not be used with helicopter-rigs as there are too many opportunities for the hook link to jam on the lead core, leaving a lost fish towing a lead
- Consider using a barbless hook as an added precaution to release a tethered fish
- Lead core should never be used on weedy or snag filled waters (which would in any case largely work against the purpose of lead core)
Rigs
(b) For Predators
On most waters when bait fish are used, pike are usually the target species. Wire traces must always be used for both pike and zander. Otherwise, they can bite through the trace, leaving hooks etc. in the fish, with potentially fatal results.
For lure-fishing too, regardless of target species, wire traces should be used.
For additional points on pike and zander tackle, rigs and baits, see Appendices J, K, & L.
It is recognised that the use of wire traces may be an impediment to eel and perch angling. As a first step, please consider the use of wire covered with soft silicone tubing. Failing this, employ braids with a high degree of abrasion resistance as a hook link. For eels, perch and catfish, use a single hook only (though not stainless steel, which does not easily corrode); do not use double or treble hooks. If a pike or zander does still take this, and bites through the hook link, a single hook is very unlikely to cause any damage.
If pike or zander are taking baits presented on hook-links for eels, catfish, perch or chub, carefully consider changing bait or venue, or in the case of eels and perch, accepting a lower catch rate through reverting to wire traces.
Baits
Always use free bait offerings and groundbait in sensible quantities to ensure that uneaten food does not accumulate in fisheries, especially small, shallow bodies of still water. This will protect the quality of the aquatic environment and safeguard other anglers' sport.
Observe any fishery rules on bait restrictions.
For bait-fish, also see section five 'Fish Movements & Disease'.
Thoroughly soak and cook all nuts, seeds and pulses. (See Appendix B)
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