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I thought that this would be a good time to look back at the way the method has changed in the time since I wrote the original article.
Firstly I think that a lot of anglers have signed up to the well voiced opinion in some of the angling press, and by a number of celebrity anglers, that the 'Method' is an easy way to
success.
I believe that it is probably one of the most successful angling tactics ever, but it is not rocket science, it needs to be perfected in the same way that any tactic does.
If the'Method' is so easy that it is almost cheating, as some would have us believe, why do the same anglers win over and over again, if it was so easy then the odds against this
happening would be immense.
My view is that a lot has been written about this tactic, but it is not always clear, about which branch of our sport, that the article is written for.
The way this tactic is used for specimen angling, is very different to the way it used as a successful match tactic. Whilst the rigs for each have some similarities, in that the feeder is
putting a bait in very close proximity to, or inside of a ball of feed, that is as similar as it gets, just about everything else varies and the two uses should not be confused.
As a specimen tactic the feeder is likely to be used in a water with a low stocking density, of larger fish. Whilst the groundbait is used as an attractor it also has to breakdown slowly
so that the fish can home in on the bait. The fish need to be located, or their patrol routes identified to lay the trap where they will find it. The feeder will also be required to carry free samples of the bait or
some complimentary particles. Once the fish finds the ball of groundbait with the free offerings within, the fish attacks the ball to get at the particles, and takes the hook bait by mistake as it is disguised by
the ball of groundbait.
As a match tactic, the density of stocking in the venue is likely to be much greater, with a smaller average size of fish.
Because of this the feeder is used in a different fashion. The primary means of attracting the fish is going to be the noise of the feeder hitting the surface, to enhance this a
groundbait is required to not only be attractive to the fish as food, but it needs to breakdown quickly, leaving little food of any substance apart from the hook bait, which can be easily found by the fish.
The regularity of casting is governed by a number of things, the size of the feeder, the speed that the grounbait breaks down and the depth of the water. It is not difficult to see a
similarity in this match tactic, to many others. ie. feeding little and often, feeding to bites.
In the warmer months, fish, especially Carp, will be attracted by the sound of food entering the water and as there is a high density of stock, they need to find the source of this
sound(food) before the other fish mop it up, or go hungry. So if the ball of groundbait carried by the feeder is golfball size, and breaksdown quickly, it will require casting a lot more frequently, thus enhancing
the noise attraction. If the fish can then find the bait faster, then you are going to get a take much sooner after casting, meaning that whether you land the fish or not, you will have to replenish the feeder more
often, meaning you are fishing to the bites automatically.
My thoughts on this, are that this tactic just encourages the angler to fish correctly, and should not be used as an excuse, for not doing so well.
The preparation of the groundbait, seems most important, although I am not sure the particular flavour makes any difference.
1. The mix needs to be inert, so requires to be made the
night before use.
2. Needs to hold together throughout the cast, and not start to breakdown until it reaches the bottom.( this means the mix will have to be taiored to a particular venue)
3. Onc it has reached
the lake bed, it should breakdown quickly.( at Chittenden, I favour around 3 minutes)
4. The feeder needs to be easy to load, safe, and of the right size. Although I still use modified EMSTAT feeders a lot,
Fox 28Grm flat bed in line feeders are very good, especially on sloping shelves.
5. If your groundbait breaksdown correctly, I can see no better presentation, than burying the bait in the groundbait ball. I have
tried many other ways but none have come close. With the bait buried, I have taken many fish on the drop at Chittenden, and considering how shallow this venue is, the fish must have worked very fast.
I hope after reading this you will agree that the 'Method' is just another tactic, that needs some thought and practice to master, and still requires a lot of the basic skills, not least,
accurate casting.
Roger Ledwidge 17/02/08
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