It may come as no surprise to you that the most important factor to being a successful match angler is preparation. I will always produce a vast amount of rigs as I fish many different venues throughout the year – but to be honest, most successful match anglers tend to target two or three local venues – where twenty or so rigs would cover all options.
Preparation Is The Key To Success
At this time of year I have less pressure from international commitments, so make good use of this precious time to prepare. Just lately I’ve been fishing Lindholme Lakes at every opportunity, be it match or field-testing. Despite the title, it still takes time to understand and learn different ways to attack each swim - this particular venue holds competitions over six different lakes.
Just recently I’ve started to reap the rewards of extensive preparation. In the past two weeks I have achieved two wins, two seconds, a weekend win and a third – plus two section wins resulting in a top weight of 82lb – and with some enjoyable fishing on the way!
Just recently I’ve started to reap the rewards of extensive preparation. In the past two weeks I have achieved two wins, two seconds, a weekend win and a third – plus two section wins resulting in a top weight of 82lb – and with some enjoyable fishing on the way!
One major problem I find is that of limited tackle-up time – with a draw scheduled for 9.15am and start at 10.15 I find that I have approximately forty minutes to tackle-up – I cannot stress enough the importance of preparing your tackle pre-match – invest in a sturdy rod-ready sleeve, it will save you precious minutes when it counts. Most commercial venues today allow little time for rigging up, which for me is the most important part of the day – get this wrong and you may as well throw away your pools money.
I cannot stress enough the importance of selecting the right tackle for the job – first time. I’ve found the new Speedmaster Dyna-Balance 13’ perfect for most situations I encounter – with a lovely playing action to cope with small hooks required for winter fishing, coupled with a Super 3000SGT-RB loaded with 0.14 Speedmaster Allround mono - I use a range of wagglers from 3AAA to 2SSG, therefore a heavier reel line would make it more difficult to cast.
I cannot stress enough the importance of selecting the right tackle for the job – first time. I’ve found the new Speedmaster Dyna-Balance 13’ perfect for most situations I encounter – with a lovely playing action to cope with small hooks required for winter fishing, coupled with a Super 3000SGT-RB loaded with 0.14 Speedmaster Allround mono - I use a range of wagglers from 3AAA to 2SSG, therefore a heavier reel line would make it more difficult to cast.
For my feeder fishing I’ve recently rigged two identical Speedmaster Light Feeder rods which are perfect for F1 and small carp fishing – both coupled with Super 4000MGT-RB reels loaded with 0.20 Speedmaster All-Round mono. One rod carries a small in-line method feeder with a size 18 Mustad Stillwater power hook to 0.14 Antares Silk Shock and the other a small in-line feeder.
With preparation completed at home I can concentrate on ensuring that all pole rigs are finely tuned and most importantly plumbed up to find any flats or ledges that can make or break a session. I dislike rushing about whilst tackling up, preferring to focus on how I’m going to attack my day’s match fishing.
With preparation completed at home I can concentrate on ensuring that all pole rigs are finely tuned and most importantly plumbed up to find any flats or ledges that can make or break a session. I dislike rushing about whilst tackling up, preferring to focus on how I’m going to attack my day’s match fishing.
Once you know a little about a venue, I am sure you can prepare extra tackle at home, and for myself it makes all the difference – making the entire process less stressful.
