Amateur Angling

How to put line on a fishing reel

There are four common types of fishing reel used in coarse fishing, the spinning reel (fixed spool reel), the centrepin, the closed face reel and the baitcaster (multiplier). Between them, these four reels cover everything from casting a heavy lure to controlling a light stick float. Each reel has it's own requirements and best practises when loading line.
This article explains how to put line on each type of reel.

Helicopter rig for Bream fishing a lake

One of the best rigs for Bream fishing on a lake is the Helicopter rig. It’s easy to understand and use. It can be cast any distance with very little chance of tangling and works well on all but the softest of lake beds.

Buying a new fishing reel deciding what to get

Buying a new fishing reel is not something I do very often, but when one of my old reels broke, I had no choice but to replace it. Deciding which to get is not easy when there are so many to choose from. While hunting for a replacement float reel, I thought I would get a feeder fishing reel too.

Micro feeder fishing Carp in winter

Attracting carp with a banquet of food is fine in the summer. Come the cooler weather though the fish are far less active. Instead of a banquet, offer just one plate of food on a micro feeder.

Where to go fishing - your options

In the UK there are three common types of fishery; commercial fisheries, fishing clubs and free fishing. One or all of these options will be available to you locally. A quick search online for “fishing near me” should provide a lengthy list, but what are the differences?

How to prepare hemp for fishing

Hemp seed is loved by all course fish and is powerful fish attractor. To make dry hemp seeds safe for fish to eat, they must first be soaked and cooked. There are several ways to prepare hemp for fishing, but I prefer to stew mine as follows.

To angle with a porcupine quill

What pastime lifts the hart more than to angle with a porcupine quill on a warm summers evening. My favourite spot is a lake close to me that has clear, shallow water, where fish can be easily seen if one approaches undetected.

Float fishing for perch by laying on

Laying on with a float, is a little used, old fashioned method of catching fish. But it is particularly good for bottom feeding fish like Carp, Tench, Bream and for me, Perch.

Float fishing for winter Roach – lake

Winter is the best season to float fish for Roach in a lake. In the summer, other species are active and will bully the Roach away to take the bait. But as autumn turns to winter and the temperatures fall, the other species slow down, reduce their feeding and become less of an obstacle to the Roach angler.

How to – Float fishing sets for beginners

In the summer, I often see people fishing with float fishing sets bought in the high street. Many fishing sets are basic and barely have enough equipment to catch fish. So what follows is how to set a float to catch fish in a lake, with a basic fishing set and no prior knowledge of fishing. I am going to assume you have a kit that comprises of a rod, reel and line as opposed to a pole that does not use a reel.