| The first thing to remember about meat fishing is preparation. Fresh meat will always out perform the frozen left overs from a previous match. I will always discard my meat following a match UNLESS I have a match the following day. I will then fridge my meat over night.
I prefer two types of meat. The first is Co-op own brand, which is cheap to buy and is not fatty. I would go as far to say that the quality is as good as plumrose, which is what I used to use prior to this. My second choice is Sensas Garlic Flavoured. This again is not fatty and has a good hook hold.
I prepare both the same way. I will fridge the meat over night, cut it into quarter inch slices and then push it through a groundbait riddle before bagging it. I do not like adding any flavours to the Co-op brand, as I believe if the fish are feeding then they will take this bait. If they are being fussy then the Sensas flavoured Garlic may just tempt them. I am not into trying different additives because, one they can be an expensive experiment, and two it's all about confidence with your chosen bait. Dusting meat seems to be all the rage at the moment, but again this is something I don't believe in. Don't be mistaken this method has caught a lot of fish for people, but so has plain meat. As I said confidence is the key to success.
How you feed meat is the important issue. On the deck, say at Moorlands or Woodland View, I will put three quarters corn to one quarter meat in a medium sized Drennan pot and cup in one lot at about 13 metres, fishing meat on the hook. I will then wait for bites. If I start catching straight away I will re feed approximately 15 - 20 grains of each every two or three fish. If the fish are not responding, I will re feed a similar sized pot to the first every 10 - 15 minutes until they do feed.
When I fish up in the water I will initially put the same amount of feed in, that is to say one full pot of meat and corn. I will then constantly loose feed 4 - 5 grains of meat over.
Rigs are simple but dependant upon conditions. I have faith in the Preston Chianti 4 x 14, or the Milo 4 x 16 if it is windy. Up in the water I like the PB2 size 4 x 12. In addition I have just started to use the Preston 0.15 Powerline, which I find very supple but strong. Hooks are the Preston PR 21 Size 14 at Moorlands Farm and size 12 at Woodland View. This is due to hook size restrictions at the venues.
Shotting for my deck rig at both venues will be the same. I will place a bulk of shot one and a half feet to two feet away from the hook with two droppers in between but the nearest will not be within one foot of the hook, because I believe the fish can see the shot if it is to close.
Up in the water I will place 3 x no 9 shot directly under the float, thus allowing the bait to fall naturally through the water.
When fishing shallow, lift and drop your bait regularly into the water, to induce bites.
Grant Albutt |
