New On The Box Video Out Now
This week we join Nick Crooks and Tom Noton at Hallcroft Fishery in a much-requested ‘On The Box’ video with Nick talking through his autumn / winter tactics on this brilliant venues whilst Tom ask the questions that really get to the nitty-gritty of Nick’s approach.
Hit the play button below to watch now, or find the video on the Browning YouTube channel.
Catch Roach to Hand
Bag-up with Autumn Roach
Having never fished Watmore Farm Fishery just outside Yateley in Hampshire before I did a bit of homework and tapped up my team mate Colin Sheppard, who fishes the venue regularly for some information. Colin talked about the quality silver fish it contained as well as the numbers of carp that he had been catching on the Xenos Feeder Slow Sinker, a method I’m yet to try, but must. He also mentioned that the venue was deep, well over 20ft in places and that it was a great winter pole venue for the silvers and being a bit of a sucker for float fishing it seemed the perfect place to fish the whip to hand, a tactic I love doing but rarely find the right venue to enjoy it.
Slightly stronger rigs
A quick plumb up in my swim found around 10ft of water at 5m, so with plenty of depth in close and with no need to head further out my Black Magic 5m Tele Pole was perfect as it would leave enough line between the flick tip and float as well as enough line overall to effectively swing fish to hand or land if needed. It’s also extremely light, just 150g and has a rapid tip action making it the perfect tool to hold all day and hits those lighting fast bites if needed. When fishing to hand its best to fish slightly stronger rigs than when using a more conventional pole, just because swinging fish to hand constantly does take its toll and has no elastic to cushion the fight if a bigger fish is hooked. My rig consists of Cenex 0.14mm Hybrid Power Mono and a Cenex 0.12mm Hybrid hook length with a barbless size 16 Sphere CPF LS hook attached. My float choice is an alloy stem 1g rugby ball shaped Tamgi attached using three rubbers and although I started using a bulk and two droppers soon realised that stringing No9 shot out in a shirt button fashion with them getting slightly further apart as they neared the hook was far better.
Sitting comfortably
Just a little tip when whip fishing is not to have a line that’s the same length as the pole. Ideally when swinging the rig out or bringing fish to hand you don’t want to have to alter the position of your hand so the rig should be couple of feet shorter than the length of the pole.
High percentage of bites
Bait for today consists of maggot, casters, worms and my favourite groundbait, Champion’s Choice Black Magic which I’ve mixed up on arrival with a whisk and then riddled a number of times to create a light, fine, fluffy mix. Not quite knowing what to expect I spent the first hour perfecting my rig and bait application and after missing loads of bites striking as soon as the float moved found that waiting for the line to follow after the float disappeared was best, resulting in a high percentage of bites producing fish, mostly roach, odd rudd and occasional better perch. I also found that the fish responded to plenty of bait as opposed to the ‘little and often’ feeding over the top of three balls of groundbait introduced via a feed cup at the start. What the roach wanted was a handful of maggots being fed by hand, followed by my rig that was swung over the top and then a small ball of groundbait again fed by hand. I must admit that it all seemed a bit clumsy but it was working, the mild weather probably contributing to this, however I’m sure when it gets really frosty and cold accurate baiting from a pot will come into play.
Odd 2lb roach
Most of my catch consisted of roach in the 2oz – 5oz range, perfect for speed fishing on the whip. A couple of better roach around 12oz also showed plus a much bigger one lost and Colin Sheppard tells me that the odd 2lb roach is caught, ouch, oh and a bonus perch. I only fished for a few hours and thoroughly enjoyed the session and although I stuck on the maggot knew that in future a caster or worm approach would defiantly be worth a go for those bigger roach and perch.
Justin’s Tackle
5m Black Magic Tele Pole
Cenex 0.14mm and 0.12mm Hybrid Power Mono
Sphere size 16 CPS LS Barbless hook
1g Tamgi Pole Float
Justin’s Bait
Red Maggots
Champion’s Choice Black Magic Groundbait
Casters
Worms
Xenos Feeder Rest System
I’ve been really impressed with the Xenox Feeder But and Rest system as they can be altered to suit every occasion, whether I’m fishing a commercial for shy biting silvers right through to those rod wrenching commercial carp bites.
The Feeder Rod Butt can be used either as a butt rest or as a general front rod rest. Personally I use it predominantly as a butt rest as it holds the rod stead-fast and in the same position every time. The lateral rod saver ears are especially good as the rod just can go anywhere, giving me the peace of mind that if, on those rare occasions, I’m not looking at the tip when a violent bites comes, the rod just can’t go move, yet it still allows me to pick the rod up easily.
The Feeder Rest System has been thought through toughly as it now means that I only need to take this system with me whether I’m heading to a river or commercial as it can be set up in so many ways. In the winter when I’m fishing clipped up for shy biting silvers I go for the 15cm smooth EVA supports as they allow me to simply drop the rod onto the rest and tighten down to the tip without having to move the rod. The 15cm ribbed and profiled EVA supports come into play when carp fishing on commercials or on really windy days, as the rod sits firmly into position without fear of moving. This system allows the angler to have the rest set up with two supports or just one and I can see it being a real asset to the river angler that has to fish with the rod high in the air. As with the Butt Rest this system comes complete with lateral rod ears that can be adjusted into different position for additional peace of mind or for extra stability on windy days.
Both Feeder Rests come in the expected black and Browning colour with high quality brass screws compatible with all feeder arms and bank sticks.
No more carting around numerous feeder rests as this system covers everything you will ever need.
John Pantrey
The Sphere Hook Range
The Sphere Hook Range
If you’re not aware of the Browning Sphere range of hooks then you really need to as soon as possible.
All eventualities covered
The range consists of six superb hooks that have been developed by some of the top feeder and match specialists to bring to you a hook that will cover every angling situation. My top two have to be the Beast and the Match as I tend to fish carp dominated commercials but if you prefer to fish for silver, feeder fish for bream, even spend most of your time on more natural venues then the Ultra Lite, Ultra Strong, Classic or CPF LS will have its place.
As its name suggest, well almost!
The Beast is everything it says, a hook that you can rely on when putting a big weight of hard fighting carp together, keeping its point and not bending out so one that will seriously save you time when needed. The barbless range comes with the option of eyed or spade end in sizes from 8 right through to a 16 with a popular size 13 as well. The barbed range is spade end only and comes in the same sizes 8 – 16. Made from black nickel it’s amazingly strong, yet it’s not made from a heavy gauge hook so has some finesse as well. It has the popular slight in-turned beaked point which is super sharp and once in, it’s not coming out! A great hook for pellet fishing and in these days when pennies are getting tighter they are amazing value for money and come in packets containing 15!
The all-rounder
The Match variety is another of my favourites, especially when feeder fishing for carp as it’s amazingly light in weight but super strong. The razor sharp hook point is longer than the beast ensuring a secure hook hold and reducing the chance of a hook pull when fishing at distance. It really is an all-rounder, a robust reliable hook that all pole, float, feeder anglers need to check out! Available in sizes 8 to 18, spade end and barbed only and once again in packets of 15!
Both the Beast and the Match are also available as pre-tied hooks to high quality monofilament on an innovative winder. Eight hook lengths on each winder so great for anglers that prefer ready tied hook lengths.
Alex Reynolds
The Beast Barbless range is a firm-favourite amongst anglers looking for a very strong and robust hook, especially for carp and barbel.
Most of the Sphere range are also available in these excellent Hooks to Nylon, supplied on a very easy to use spool that also keeps the line safe from UV rays.
Xi-Box 36 Compact - Long Term Review
Alex Reynolds takes a look at his Browning Xi-Box 36 Compact in this new video – a great box for those looking for functionality in a compact package.
Click the play button below to watch now.
Find out more here – https://tackle-box.eu/en/p/8011001/
Browning’s “Xi-Box” – High quality, space efficient, compact seatboxes.
The Xi-Box 36 Compact is top of the Xi-Box range. It has been designed to have a small “footprint”, so easier to fit in a car, carry, or use on platforms than traditional cassette style boxes.
The design is very strong and rigid with 36mm legs and specially designed clamps. The top frame of the box can be height adjusted to maintain a comfortable seating position if trays are added or removed.
The Xi-Box 36 Compact features :
• 36mm telescopic legs with hinged mudfeet for total stability
• Sliding footplate • Secure non-slip locking systems with large easy-to-grip knobs
• Fixed mesh tray on bottom frame for under-box storage while fishing
• Spirit levels and adjustable seat height for total comfort
• 2 x 3cm plus 1 x 6cm side drawers
• 1 x 4cm plus 1 x 3m tray units
• Additional trays available
Great Value Float Fishing Combo!
Tim Bruce takes a look at this brilliant value float fishing combo from Browning.
Find out more about the Black Magic FD430 here – https://tackle-box.eu/en/p/0342020
A great quality and durable front drag reel with all the advanced features needed when targeting quality fish. The ultra smooth and strong gear set is reliable when the pressure is on – these reels won’t let you down. These reels look good with a classy, subdued finish that matches our Black Magic range.
Find out more about the CFW Waggler Rod here – https://tackle-box.eu/en/p/12202390
CFX is the latest Browning rod range to carry the famous Black Magic® name. The new high-modulus carbon blanks are incredibly slim, but also tough and durable to give many years reliable service. The rods perform well beyond their price and are true “do anything” rods. The range includes float, feeder and bomb rods. The CFX Match rods are perfect general purpose float rods with the classic “waggler rod” action through the top and middle sections. Available in 2 lengths to cover all needs – lakes and rivers – small floats or large – plus a special “power match” version for fishing with heavy floats or bigger fish.
Xenos Wire Mesh Feeders
Xenos Wire Mesh Feeders
Available in three diameters and a wide range of different weights the Xenos Wire Mesh Feeders have been manufactured using a new thermo-coating process that gives them a smooth, even coating that is camouflaged to blend in with the lake bed.
Ideal for both stillwater and river fishing, these feeders have been designed with a wide square mesh that releases bait quickly. These mesh feeders also rise quickly on the retrieve and create minimum water resistance, making them much easier to retrieve.
Great for a wide range of feeder fishing situations, from medium-range bream fishing in large still waters, to catching silverfish on the drop using an explosive groundbait mix. A brilliant allrounder that deserves a place in every feeder anglers box.
4cm long by 4cm diameter – 10g to 40g
4.5cm long by 4.5cm diameter – 20g to 60g
5.5cm long by 6c, diameter – 40g to 100g
QUICK TIP
A good tip if you are river fishing is to wrap the feeder with tape or shrink tube to ensure all of the bait gets to the bottom before leaving the feeder.
Browning Fishing Spring Product Launches
Check out the Browning online Digital Catalogue for details of all of the upcoming Spring 2022 product launches.
We have some brilliant new products coming to our Retailers across Europe over the coming months and you can find exclusive details online now!
Click here to find out more –https://tackle-box.eu/en/b/browning
Spring Commercial Match Fishing Live!
Join Filipe Passeria at Orchard Farm for our latest live match video. We follow Fil as he adapts his tactics throughout the match and learn the thinking behind his tactics.
Hit the play button below to watch now, or visit the Browning Europe YouTube channel to find a huge library of videos from out team of anglers.
Bob Nudd - Spring Skimmers on the Pole
We join Bob Nudd for a lovely session at Lawn Farm in search of the abundant stocks of skimmers and roach on the pole. Bob puts the new Browning Silverlite Plus pole through its paces.
Click the play button below to watch now or find it on the Browning YouTube channel.
Find out more about the brilliant new Silverlite Plus pole here – https://tackle-box.eu/en/p/10240130