Basics   IS STILL IN THE CONSTRUCTION STAGE 

It is being set out with the novice or new angler in mind.

Floats

A float is used by anglers as a bite indicator, as the float is attached to the line any time a fish moves the bait the float will move and give you a sign that its time to strike or get ready to strike. There are hundreds of different floats to choose from, most anglers have a box full but only use a few.

Basic patterns

Waggler- Main materials used are peacock quill or plastic

A waggler float is perhaps the most versatile of all floats. Various shapes and sizes can be used to good effect on Stillwater’s, rivers and canals. They can be used with a rod and line and when pole fishing.

Stick float- Main materials used are Lignum (a dense heavy wood), balsa and plastic

The stick float is used on flowing water for trotting, as with other types of float there are many different patterns and sizes to choose from. 

Dark or wood coloured body                                                                                                                                 

Hooks

There are two basic types of hook these are;

Spade end hooks are whipped onto the line by hand or with a hook tyer (see section on knots)

Eyed hooks are connected to the line by passing the hook through the eye and tying a knot in the line (see section on knots)

A barb is used on a hook to stop it from coming loose, however more and more anglers are using barbless hooks and many clubs and commercial fisheries do not allow barbed hooks to be used as barbless are kinder to the fish

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SO C.A.P.S. and LAMBETH RECOMMENDS

WHENEVER YOU GO FISHING

USE A 

BARBLESS HOOK

Parts of a hook.

Hooks with higher numbers are smaller

Rules for choosing the right hook

1)      Does it suit the size of line you are using

2)      Is it right for the fish you hope to catch

   3)   Is it right for the bait you are going to use

RODS

There are lots of different rods to choose from, most are made for a specific type of fishing.

The two main types of rod available are

1)                  Float rods – these are normally 12-13 feet long and are slim and light.

2)                  Leger rods and – like the float rods these are normally 12-13 feet long. Often they are as slim as a float rod but would be stronger.

A special type of leger rod called a quivertip has a very thin tip this is used as a bite indicator.

Today rods can be constructed from many materials such as split cane and fibreglass (used less frequently now) most of today’s rods are made from materials such as carbon, boron or Kevlar or a mixture of these, they also come in a wide range of specialist ranges targeted at specific species.        Be careful when you are buying a rod - avoid bargain ‘general purpose’ rods they may be good for float fishing or legering but not for both. If you are not sure ask for some advice.

Parts of a rod

Most rods have one of the two following actions

Lines

Line strength is determined by what the rod can pull and multiply that figure by a factor of 51b.

If fishing in open water that is fairly weed free or other snags the lower B/S can be used.

But if snags are likely then the higher B/S should be used.

                  Hook lengths to suit the Main Line                                    Hooks should balance with Hook lengths

Weights