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Fishing for just about any fish, there are two methods that you can use: maggot or groundbait. It seems that nowadays, ground bait is considered the most popular with anglers as it encourages the fish to feed and right to their hook interested by the cloud and the scent given off.
There are mainly two kinds of feeders; for deep water (1½ - 2 metres), the open end feeders are the best, as they don't release from the tube until they are near the bottom. For shallower water, the cage feeder is considered more practical, releasing as soon as it comes in contact with the water, often with fishmeal and crushed hemp (50/50 ratio) as the bait - a special favourite with carp.
With all kinds of feeder fishing though, it is important to mix the groundbait with only the slightest amount of water, this is especially important when using crushed hemp, if it is too wet, the pond water will have little impact when the groundbait comes into contact with it, thus not encouraging an active release from the feeder. It is also a good idea to add a few pinkies into the groundbait, to entice the fish even more.
The season, determines whether to use active or inactive groundbait. If the weather is colder, the bigger fish will be swimming near or at the bottom of the bed, so an inactive groundbait such as fishmeal and brown crumb (50/50 ratio) will be suitable. As the warmer weather draws, carp and other fish will swim at all levels, resulting in the active groundbait being a better choice, possibly Hi-Pro baits mixed with brown crumb or crushed hemp (75/25 ratio).
By baiting say, two fluoro maggots, with a barbless hook, one threaded through the blunt end, the other hooked through the pointed end of the bait, you will reduce hooklength spin which in turn, reduces the concealment of the hook's point.
As bigger fish feed and feel safer around more featured areas of the pond, like near reeds and over-hangs, it is a good idea to try to cast around there. You may have to cast several times before any sign of results and again, depending on the season, will decide on whether to keep to the same region of the pond by clipping the line. As the fish are much slower in winter, willing to move less, it may be advised not to clip in colder waters.
Generally, if you are having trouble catching, it is advised not to change groundbait, once you use one mixture, don't change that choice throughout that day, unless you are prepared to change your peg
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