Thursday 3 December 2015

BH 4: 'J' Quicky


So circle hooks look like the way forward for zander - the only problem was I couldn't get hold of any in the right size. Didn't have long today, arriving just before dark and fishing until 7pm.

Fishing 'J' hooks in size 4 it wasn't long before my float rod was away and I connected to the fish... For about 5 seconds - bloody hooks - but as it turned out that was the only fish I lost this evening. Next up was a 4lb 0oz zed on the ledger (4.50pm).


5.05pm, 5lb 12oz, lead.


6.30pm, 4lb 10oz, float.


6.40, about 2¾lb, lead. And I packed up in the rain and strong wind at 7pm - great few hours fishing.

Quick report today, getting ready to hit the Lower Itchen tomorrow where I'll be chasing grayling, roach and who knows - perhaps even a pike to push my challenge weight to over 200lb?

Predator Challenge: 187lb 0oz


Circle hooks my brother is sending me, they're already in the post, 10-12 days to wait - cheers Paulos.


Size 4 in Kayle, Owner Circle and Gamakatsus circle for comparision.


And a size 2 and size 4 inside a size 15/0 shark hook!

10 comments:

  1. Those BH Zander certainly are on the munch at the moment. Will be interesting to see how you get on on the Itchen as due to go Sunday and weather is looking terrible so maybe washed out.

    Stew

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    1. Good news Stew, we left a hell of a lot of fish untraumatized (by not catching them) ready for your trip on Sunday!

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    2. We bagged up with Grayling, lost count to be honest and many small maggot stealing Salmon Parr thrown in as well as a couple of bonus Chub and some nice Brownies too.

      By the way...is that Gollum in the background in picture three above? Looks well spooky.

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  2. Slaying them now! How do they fight?

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    1. Getting better! Fight seem to vary from fish to fish, sometimes you can wind a four pounder in and some times a two will go hell for leather...

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  3. I've had a few trips to Bury Hill after the zander this year; best trip 12 fish with three 7's and biggest overall 8lb 11oz. The bigger fish seem to be showing now it's colder and the fight's are more impressive. Is that a ghost behind you in photo 3?

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    1. It's creepy enough up there on my own with spotting that - shivers up my spine - thanks for pointing it out!!

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    2. My best is nine but I lack experience when it comes to zander - and have suffered from a lot of hook-pulls. But my run to fish rate is getting better (although I'm not sure what I'm doing differently) and I'm hoping circle hooks are the way forwards...

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  4. I started using wide gape size 4s and missed run after run but copied another anglers advice and now use size 6 Drennan super specialist and hook most runs. Apparently zander stab a fish initially, then let go and re-position to swallow it, so I think if you strike at that moment you miss them. I've been grabbing the rod and making sure that line was coming off the spool. I still get short false runs though.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks John, circle hooks weren't as effective as I was hoping - so I'm still very open to ideas. Interesting the stab, reposition and grab - makes perfect sense though as a hunting technique... Another angle to think about.

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