Snag fishing

[alex]

I would like to hear peoples views on snag fishing and what waters you snag fish at and what type of set up you use for it.

[Lofte]

Alex mate if you look inthe Post Match lake there is quite a bit of talk on Snag Fishing
Lofte

[alex]

I know since I started it all but I felt there were people who do not look in a post about the match lake for snag fishing so I started one where a lot more people could see it.

[CarponlineEditor]

I did a little piece about snag fishing in the Match lake thread but I will try to elaborate abit for those of you who are interested.

Right you have decided to fish a swim that has a snaggy area to which you would like to cast a bait. Well there are different ways of doing this. Lets look at the method of casting mid to far range at a snag bush or overhanging tree branches. Now when doing this it is neccessary to be quite careful not only with your set up, which I will cover in a bit, but also with your casting. If you dont want to end up making the snag look like some ghastly looking xmas tree, with leads and rigs hanging all over it then you must take a little bit of care first.

What I do when trying a new snag is to deliberately cast a bit short of it. Then I pull as much line of the spool as I think can be safely added to the original cast so that I think it will drop nearer the next time. Then I either place the line in the spool clip or if I am casting a fair way then i will wrap a rubber band round the spool as tightly as I can. The I will cast again and see how close it falls. If it is spot on i will either add a stop knot to my main line so I know where to cast again the next time.

You should also do this if you are fishing closer too but if you are a very accurate caster, which many arent you know even if they say they are. lol I remember taking one of the magazine editors carping on a river and he cast into a boat more than once.

Right so we now have the casting accurately but done. The next thing that i think is important is the set up on the bank. I prefer to use banksticks for this type of fishing as you can make them rock solid. If you have one of the types of alarms that swivels from side to side when under pressure you will need to add a separate banckstick to stop it twisting when a take occurs or go out and buy yourself an alrm that doesnt twist, actually most of the newer ones dont have that attachment system anymore.

I deally the rodfs should be positioned pointing directly at the snag, this is not just for bite indication but also so that you have less bend in the rod which also stops that bit of extra give which could cost you a fish. You can find yourself in a swim though where you cant point the rods at the baited rig and if this is the case then what I do is to use as heavy a lead as I can and then tighten up as tightly to it as possible. On nearer in snags this can be done with say a four or even a five ounce lead but you need to do an underarm cast to do this or most rods will be under too much strain. Then you can tighten up and the rod will bend to an exraordinary curve without your rig moving.

You must also have very strong hooks and line, this type of fishing is not for the faint hearted and you should strike and walk in the opposite direction from the snag IMMEDIATELY you get a take. This is the most important part of snag fishing. If you need to go to the loo or to see a mate in the next swim then reel in first. You must sit right next to the rods at all times when doing this type of fishing as even if you are locked up entirely then you could give that foot or two before you strike that could mean a lost fish or worse a tethered fish. Any rig even a free running rig with a safety clip is dangerous to fish if it is lost near a snag.

Anyway I have to go put the kids to bed now and I have probably not mentioned a lot of things that I wanted to say but that will do for now. lol Andys waffling again

[alex]

Cheers for the info that will help a lot of anglers thinking about snag fishing I even learnt a thing or two and I don't know why you worry about long posts the more info the better.