Carl Massey
Senior Member & Supporter
Now the river season has ended and we're all probably sorting/cleaning our river tackle I wonder how many people factor in when the conditions are right and the fish are feeding that one rod is more than enough. Having spent most of my barbel fishing with friends and maybe fishing quite close together (or within ear shot) I usually have no problem with putting two rods out. For 95% of the time I'd say this is quite valid but there are those golden moments when things go mad and the fish have turned up, and you get the double hook up. On one occasion on the Severn I had two double hook ups back to back, so after landing only 2 out of the 4 fish I hooked, using my welly as a rod holder, and sliding down the bank into the river to fill up my other welly, I did reconsider on the next chuck out to manage with just one rod.
There are times then when we really don't need two rods because although this doubles our chances it also increases the risk of losing fish, losing a rod/reel and struggling to control things as usually one barbel on the line is enough. The same situation applied to myself last weekend when at a local pond doing some pleasure angling with a new light feeder rod I thought, it’s been really quiet so let’s get the float rod out and catch some of the lovely silvers. Suffice to say an hour or so later after having some fun with roach to a pound I didn’t notice the feeder rod slipping down through the rod rest and into the water. A last minute dive just saved me from a proper dunking and I managed to retrieve the rod and 15 minutes later with light tackle (3lb hooklink and size 18 hook) put the net under a 13lb carp.
Was this good angling? No!
Was this stupid? Maybe.
Would I do it again, maybe …. but not without more of a plan/thought.
We never know what might happen with fishing which is one of the reasons it’s so great. When we get those frenetic times with bites coming a plenty I’ll be putting one rod away just so I can fish better but will you?
There are times then when we really don't need two rods because although this doubles our chances it also increases the risk of losing fish, losing a rod/reel and struggling to control things as usually one barbel on the line is enough. The same situation applied to myself last weekend when at a local pond doing some pleasure angling with a new light feeder rod I thought, it’s been really quiet so let’s get the float rod out and catch some of the lovely silvers. Suffice to say an hour or so later after having some fun with roach to a pound I didn’t notice the feeder rod slipping down through the rod rest and into the water. A last minute dive just saved me from a proper dunking and I managed to retrieve the rod and 15 minutes later with light tackle (3lb hooklink and size 18 hook) put the net under a 13lb carp.
Was this good angling? No!
Was this stupid? Maybe.
Would I do it again, maybe …. but not without more of a plan/thought.
We never know what might happen with fishing which is one of the reasons it’s so great. When we get those frenetic times with bites coming a plenty I’ll be putting one rod away just so I can fish better but will you?
