PI: The trace I use is very light, but it feels like it comes up immediately when I start reeling in. I dont feel much drag or extra weight. Does this then mean that the bottom might be less muddy than I expected?
I FISHED ASTON LAKE A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN THE WATER LEVEL WAS LOW. THERE WAS A BANK IN THE WATER JUST BELOW THE GATE. I WADED TO THIS BANK BUT BEFORE I REACHED IT I WAS IN KNEE DEEP SOFT MUD. THATS WHY I SUGGESTED THE EXPLANATION.
PI: I will try the longer shaft approach and the Vaaldam strop with the gummies. What will be a good lenght to try, I think maybe 10cm above the weight? I will make the hooklinks about 12cm long.
AT CERTAIN VENUES WE FISHED DURING INTER PROVINCIAL COMPS, WE USED A VAALDAM TRACE WITH THE BOTTOM SHAFT LINE IN THE REGION OF 40cm EVEN.
PI: I baited it with a fine swd, as the floaties didnt get a bite at all. I didnt dip the swd in any specific dip either. Why do you ask, is there any effect the dip will make to the bait?
I THOUGHT THAT IF YOU DIPPED IT, THE FISH WENT AFTER THE SPECIFIC FLAVOUR.
PI: I tried the same traces with different baits i.e swd and floats. Both these traces were fished more or less on the same spot. (trying to build a kol). I havent tried the differentb hook sizes. Do you suggest one normal hook (Linx) and then a slightly bigger hook or just two bigger hooks? I dont really know the sizes, but I wont go to big.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO COMMENT ON THE HOOK SIZES, BECAUSE I DONT KNOW THE SIZE YOU'RE CURRENTLY USING.
IT'S STRANGE THAT IF YOU BAITED BOTH HOOKS WITH THE SWD, THE FISH STILL TOOK THE TOP HOOK. OTHER EXPLANATION IS THAT THE TOP HOOK SETTLES NEXT TO THE BOMB AND THE FISH SLURPS UP THE BOMB (WITH THE DIP/FLAVOUR) AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE SWD OF THE TOP HOOK (AND GET HOOKED BEFORE IT EVEN BOTHERED WITH THE OTHER HOOK LYING FURTHER AWAY).