Dead leaf bottoms

[Lumeymorris]

The lake beds that I fish are either a clay type bottom or a silty bottom wether they are the same I don't know but anyway. I normal use a standard bottom bait rig with soft flurocarbon instead of braid which usually does me good but I went fishing the other day and couldn't help but notice all the dead leaves and I've never really fished this time of year so with the leaves making the ground that bit softer do I have to change anything I.e longer rigs, lighter weights to help tackle the leaves?

[Lumeymorris]

That's usually where I fish lol

[Lumeymorris]

That's a fair point about the leaves masking the hookbait. I didn't even think about that so if I was to still attempt to fish in a leafy area do you reckon that a pop up hovering at a inch or two would help combat the leaves masking the hook and bait??

[adamkitson]

Worth noting that at this time of year a serious leaf fall and subsequent decomposing leaves on the bottom will drastically affect the oxygen levels in the water. If you have a lake where there is a serious leaf fall in one area, or if the wind is blowing the leaves into a bay, or to one end for example, then fishing away from this area may help.

 

There are always exceptions of course, if there are fish showing in leafy areas obviously don't ignore them, and if the whole lake bed is covered in leaves then it won't help, but if there are no signs and the bed under your favourite tree is thick with leaves, I might consider trying somewhere else.

[smufter]

That's a fair point about the leafs masking the hookbait I didn't even think about that so if I was to still attempt to fish in a leafy area do you reckon that a pop up hovering at a inch or two would help combat the leafs masking the hook and bait??

I'd be fishing "wafters"....

[welder]

I'd be fishing "wafters"....

 

As would I. Often overlooked, I find.

 

Ian

 

[salokcinnodrog]

Pretty much the only place I fish a pop-up is over dead leaves, and I won't add a stringer that may drag it down into the leaf muck, although a PVA bag with added foam or even dog biscuits mixed in with the chops and pellets.

 

I want my pop-up to be above the leaves, but not so high that it is mid depth or a zig rig, about 5cms ish I guess is my usual. I do test my pop-ups so that I can see how it sits on the lakebed.

[phildalton1982]

Multi rig, pop up, never think too much, puts doubt in what your doing, as long as hookbait n lead separate before they hit the water your laughing

 

Sent from my LG-H955 using Tapatalk

[chillfactor]

This time of year I like to protect the hook point , the lake I was fishing the other day was covered in leaves & hooking one as the rig hit the water was a possibility plus the leaves held mid water .

[smufter]

This time of year I like to protect the hook point , the lake I was fishing the other day was covered in leaves & hooking one as the rig hit the water was a possibility plus the leaves held mid water .

Just ordered some pva nuggets for just this.

I bet my lake had more leaves than yours...

[phildalton1982]

Never had a problem with my hook catching on leaves, another case of over thinking, if it weedy then maybe, but leaves? More chance of winning lottery than one being caught on the hook

 

Sent from my LG-H955 using Tapatalk

[chillfactor]

Not over thinking at all Phil as it can happen & does.

I fish really weedy lakes & will happily cast out a bare rig apart from this time of year .

If your lake is covered in leaves there's good chance your hook one. I pulled in a rig the other day with a leaf on the hook caught it on the way in .... better than on the way out .

[phildalton1982]

Not over thinking at all Phil as it can happen & does.

I fish really weedy lakes & will happily cast out a bare rig apart from this time of year .

If your lake is covered in leaves there's good chance your hook one. I pulled in a rig the other day with a leaf on the hook caught it on the way in .... better than on the way out .

I must be lucky then

[phildalton1982]

All im saying is i have fished the same lake which is full of weed, nooks, crannies, channels, i fish under trees, in amonst reeds, never put foam on, never needed to and thats really dodgy bottom, you worry about what might never happen

 

Sent from my LG-H955 using Tapatalk

[chillfactor]

What ever Phil .

[phildalton1982]

Very childish

 

Sent from my LG-H955 using Tapatalk

[chillfactor]

Not at all mate ... could just see us going round in circles.

It something I like to do on certain lakes that are covered in leaves . & your telling me i'm worried about something that will never happen, even though it did the last time I was out

[phildalton1982]

But was it reeling in or did you actually see the leaf attached to your hook? Did you have scuba gear? All im saying is its never happened to me

 

Sent from my LG-H955 using Tapatalk

[phildalton1982]

So therefore i dont worry about it, agree to disagree then mate

 

Sent from my LG-H955 using Tapatalk

[snowmanstevo]

I use rig foam on my multi rigs all year round,luv the way it drops everything nice and flat. I have caught the odd leaf in the past I must admit. I've caught them mid water as well.

[phildalton1982]

Ah, but do you know it was there while fishing or just speculation? Valid question, how do you know it was caught on cast? Rather than just reeling in?

 

Sent from my LG-H955 using Tapatalk

[smufter]

I'd rather not take the chance.

With the number of leaves on my water at the moment there is a better than 50/50 chance that I might (might) land on one on the way in.

[snowmanstevo]

I'll admit it was when pleasure fishing using lighter tackle with sprayed maggot but I could also see it happening with sharp hooks light leads

[chillfactor]

I'd rather not take the chance.

With the number of leaves on my water at the moment there is a better than 50/50 chance that I might (might) land on one on the way in.

it's not just the hook landing on them either.... the length for your rig too .

I was taking leaves down with the rig the other day as the the lead drops & the rig sinks behind it any leaves caught on the rig will travel along towards your hook as the lead sinks .

[yonny]

I also use pva foam all year, regardless of weed levels, leaves, whatever; even if I'm fishing on hard gravel. It helps separate the hook bait from the lead on the cast, improves presentation for any rigs with a degree of stiffness, just helps in every department IMO. I will adjust the way I attach the foam in cold water (I've seen the foam stay on all night before!).

 

Once it's on the deck I actually agree with Phil - Dead leaves are so forgiving as a substrate, same as silt; we worry about presentation but the carp will find a way if they're feeding. I'd happily fish a bottom bait over leaves if forced to (normally use pop ups anyway though).

 

Useless fact time: the foam stuff is actually not pva, it's corn starch based, just called pva so anglers get the point of what it is.