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Spooking of line...

Neil Smart

Neil Smart

Senior Member
Had another look at the Barbel Days and Ways (4), DVD yesterday, and the piece with the under water feature on spooking off the line is a real eye opener, as thought the problem is not a visual one, more the Barbel/ Chub spook when the touch the line, thus sending them off in a puff of smoke.

All the hook length materials were used, braid, coated braid, flouro, mono etc, and each had the same problem, except braid it seems which hugged the contours of the river bed better. So I guess it would seem that a long braided hook length, possibly back leaded too might give us the edge?

What do you think?
 
Yes Neil, this has been my view also since watching that footage and also from seeing how barbel can happily munch away, moving stones etc and can do this with strands of weed draped across their snouts. I think in many situations (but certainly not all because as we know, when fish are feeding confidently and competitively, they can be extremely care free and tolerant) avoiding tight lines going through the water relatively close to the feeding zone can give you an edge. If back leading I don't think you need long hook lengths-perhaps 9-12 inches. For hook length material I prefer a soft, flexible braid that sinks. But I am mainly fishing the Kennet and so I recognise that the approach may need to be very different on other rivers, particularly those with unforgiving riverbeds.
 
Hi Graham,

Thoroughly enjoyed the article, took away my daily moans about how inaccessible the rivers are at the moment. I don't think I've managed to see the Frome in its banks since our meet at the Itchen. Oh well there's always next season !!
 
Thanks Howard and Roger.

Roger, yes thats why I put off your suggested Frome club this season. It's been pretty horrendous for you. I will do it next season and be great if we can meet up.

Fished the Itchen again last Sat and very high, track underwater in parts.
Strangely enough roach very active had around 15 and did manage to add to the 11 species trip before with 3 bream - 2 around 4-5lb and 2 dace! 13 species in all from one river.

Graham
 
I wonder if anyone has approached this problem by making their rig totally visable.

If the Barbel dont mind line being there when they can see it and avoid it, then why not go the whole hog and just fish the last 4/6ft to the sinker covered in rig tubing. Fish a 3ft hooklength with 2.5ft of rig rubing and just 6" of supple braid exposed to the hook.

I imagine the Barbel wouldnt miss it and I imagine they would be less likely to spook off it even if they did touch it. I have considered it a few times but I imagine id get some pretty funny looks on the bank :D:D
 
Philip Howes said:
I wonder if anyone has approached this problem by making their rig totally visable.

If the Barbel dont mind line being there when they can see it and avoid it, then why not go the whole hog and just fish the last 4/6ft to the sinker covered in rig tubing. Fish a 3ft hooklength with 2.5ft of rig rubing and just 6" of supple braid exposed to the hook.

I imagine the Barbel wouldnt miss it and I imagine they would be less likely to spook off it even if they did touch it. I have considered it a few times but I imagine id get some pretty funny looks on the bank :D:D
Click to expand...

I think we have been a little too concentrated on visibility of our line less on keeping the stuff pinned to the deck, I think you have a good idea, I am toying with doing similar only covering the tubing with glued on gravel and silt so it will appease the more dubious of colleagues :)

I am thinking of marketing as the 'Giant Caddis Rig' :confused:
 
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