Ledger Fishing

Ledger fishing, also known as fishing off the bottom is a type of fishing where you add a bomb weight to make the line and bait sink to the bottom of the water which you are fishing in. Obviuosly deeper the water heavier the weight. The advantage is that you can cast much farther so you can pick out killer spots packed with fish. Basically after you have set up your rods and line, cast as you would in float fishing, but always aware of how far the cast will go. When you line is in the water, you have 3 options 1> hold the rods in your hand, 2> rest your rods on a rod stand or a pod or 3> use a pod with bite alarms on. When you have chosen one of the three you must be ready to strike when you get a bite. How do you know? Well it's simple as your bait lies on the water bed fish with swim along and when they pcik up your bait it will slightly tug the line. This will cause the tip of your rod to bend slightly or if it hooks straight away it will bend quite alot and most probably pul or shake your rod around. This is your signal to srtike. To strike simply pick up your rod and flick it hard so the rod tip is over the top of your head. Keep the rod in this position when fighting a strong fish to keep the tension of the line tight, (if you do not do this the slack line is risking the fish to leap off). When you feel the fish weaken start to reel, but be prepared becasue it will carry on fighting so get ready to put rod back up high. Do this until you have the fish in the landing net, then unhook it and throw it back or put it in your keep net. That is the simple technique to ledgering (fishing off the bottom).

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If your are fishing with a hair rig whilst using a ledger, simply add a bit of foam or a floating bait onto the end of the rig so that your bait pops up slightly and presents itself nicely to the fish. This will increase vision on the bait to the fish and higher sucess rate.

The tackle beginners need to fish using ledgers is, ledger, hook, shots. For more advanced fishermen you can use, lead clips, anchor tubing, hook to nylon and hair rigs. To set up a ledgering line first you attach the reel to the rod and thread the line up through the eyes in the rod and give your self 4ft of line. Then either slide your ledger on and trap it with shots or slide it on and tie it so you have excess line to tie on the hook. Next tie on the hook firmly i reccomend you do a strond winding knot. Add any extra weight onto the line using heavy shots (SSG's). Make sure your bait is attached strongly and then cast out. Make sure you check it is hitting the bottom by giving slack line to start then tighten.

Hair Rig tip: If you are looking to use a hair rig, you are going to need a needle kit to slide bait onto hair rig. First put your needle right through the bait, and hook the loop of the hair rig onto the little hook on the needle. Then push the bait on making sure it stays on. Lastly Put a bait stop in so the bait doesn't come off. Now your are ready to use a hair rig.