Hook for Snag Fishing

[Colin Gordon]

As someone has mentioned how far away from snags do you fish I would like to make it clear that I wouldn't drop my lead right amongst some sunken tree roots,sharp rocks or other obstructions,that would be foolhardy and even with conger gear would result in lost fish.

Yes I was hoping Dave Burr would offer a bit of his wisdom as to how far from a barbel's sanctuary is "sporting" but (not unsurprisingly) he has opted to abstain.

 

[Dave Burr]

I didn't answer the 'how far' as it is a mute point. I mainly fish the Wye and am amongst snags virtually all the time I am fishing.

The point I was making was the distinction between fishing where there are snags and dropping a baited hook deep into an area of sanctuary - like Matt Hayes did. This is not a practice that should be encouraged as it has detrimental effects on the fish both in damage to individuals and to their overall stress levels - which, in turn, effects everybody that fish's there.

To glibly talk about 'snag fishing' gives a false impression to some less thoughtful anglers but I think that the thread has dealt with that now.

 

[Colin Gordon]

Thank you Dave.