Arezue Wright- Fishing In Weed

This entry was posted on 2nd September, 2019

During the summer months and especially during prolonged hot spells, the majority of UK waters will experience accelerated weed growth, creating heavily weeded lakes. Is this an angler’s curse? Is fishing in the weeds something anglers should shy away from?

All anglers have their preferences, but avoiding heavily weeded lakes can be a mistake as they are often a blessing in disguise! Although it can make presenting bait more difficult, it can also more aid in locating the fish as it acts as a natural larder. Taking just a few tweaks to your angling, you can be rewarded by fishing in the weed! There are just a few elements to consider.

Location

Most angler’s armouries will consist of marker floats, but they will not help you in a weed bed as the dense weed will cause the float to jam on the line as a result of the run ring becoming impaired, preventing it from rising. Alternatively, a bare lead, ideally 3-4 oz weight will enhance and transmit back to you as long as you master the art of feeling the lead down. Without a lead it is likely the fish will come straight to the surface.

Birdlife and especially wildfowl, (not always our favourite associates) can also give you a good indication of weed thickness and type. Diving ducks or coots giveaway signs as the spots over which they are diving are pretty clear, so if the ducks can see your bait so can the fish!

Adequate Tackle



When fishing in weed, fish as strong as possible as you do not want to lose a hooked fish. In this case, strong lines and heavier hooks are the order of the day, helping you get the fish moving once hooked.

Dropping the Lead

A lead clip system is a popular choice as when hooking a fish, the lead is despatched, leaving you in direct contact with the fish, eliminating any chance of a flailing lead pulling the hook or becoming fast in the weeds.

When using a lead clip system consider how easy you want that lead to eject. It is a good idea not to jam the tail rubber on so that when fishing over / amongst thick weed you can discard the tail rubber and simply tie or tape the tag end of the clip with PVA tape or string. This way as soon as the fish is hooked the lead ejects.

Hit and Hold Tactics

The last thing you want is to have a fish ripping off and crashing through the weed on yards of loose line so rule out using the baitrunner facility or freespool on your reel. By using a tightened clutch, it gives the fish a little chance of free play whilst you are still in control. A top tip if you are using mono line is to walk backwards on a tight grip to take out most of the stretch.

If during the reel in, the fish does momentarily find sanctuary, simply slacken off, put the rod back on the rest and wait for it to move or swim out. The moment you see the line freeing up tighten back up, keep the pressure on. Never pull directly at a fish stuck in the weeds as you will risk damaging it. The fish will free itself.

To avoid this scenario, once a fish is hooked in weed try to keep it moving. This may mean applying a bit more pressure and having strong tackle ready for the fight. It is not wise to use small hooks and light lines as it will leave a tethered fish. Fish strong and fish safe.

Line Lay

Avoid slack line in heavy weed and instead keep your lines as tight as possible. With extensive weed beds and floating weed, keep your rods high and your line away from the weed. Fish for the smallest indication, from a knock of the rod tip to a couple of bleeps. Stay alert.

Raking a Swim

Where permitted, raking a swim can be a useful tactic. Once you’ve cleared your swim and pre baited with small mixed food, your intended boilies will also attract shoals of smaller fish and grazers such as Bream. This is not a negative as these fish will turn over the bottom, clearing out any remaining weed, leaving the perfect dinner plate on which you can present your hook bait for those hungry carp!

Rigs In Weed



Keep your hookbaits as light / buoyant as possible. A simple wafter fished with a supple or semi stiff hooklink of medium to long length tend to snare ,or not lie correctly over weed. Couple this with a piece of PVA foam to protect the hook point on delivery and your bait will flutter down on any remaining or light weed.

Baits



In the summer months, when the carp are sometimes pre occupied on the masses of naturals such as shrimps and invertebrates living in the weed, try a big juicy worm! It might just tempt that monster when your neighbouring anglers are sticking to their same old boilie and pellet routine.

Ultimately don’t be scared of the weed bed. If you learn to embrace it, you’ll soon be turning your chosen water on its head.