match rigs tell me the secret

[botomdweler]

i am looking to get into match fishing more and i have to concede that i am around 20years behind in ability

i have watched listened and taken in all i can but something is missing and it must be the rigs i use

i always carry all the baits from whites, reds, king,crab, lug, fish etc i move things around change distances and fish next to winners but something is missing so it can only be the rigs ....cant it?

i usually fish with one up one down on fairly long snoods and smallish hooks usually around size 4

leads are according to conditions sometimes rolling some times grippers all depends

the best i have ever managed is 6th place out of 24

when i speak to some of the guys the usual reply is "if the fish are not in front of you, you wont catch" i fully accept this thinking except when the guys either side of you finish higher up the order

so my question is are there any guys out there with any advice on what is possibly wrong or should i just be patient

[daznewland1]

it sounds like you are doing the right suff distances and your are using top bait all i can say is keep your rig as light weight as poss withs small components and use clear rig line of frourcarboun as for your rig i depens on where you are fish for and the ground you are fishing maybe a good idea next time you are fishing a match to go over to the guys next to you and see the rig thay are using

[Richieawt]

Your time will come

Just learn as much as you can from the guys that are catching, in match fishing every thing has got to be just right to be successful.
I spend lots of time altering rigs, source the best bait and keeping my ear to the ground to find out how somewhere is fishing.


Do your homework is the key

[Pete B]

Welcome to forum
Im no match fisherman by any stretch of the imagination and there will be someone far more qualified here to answer your question.
You seem to have considered all and put plenty of thought into your fishing and maybe the problem is as you've already said that the fish simply were'nt there?
A couple of tactics that I have found make a difference be it on beach or boat are -
Fish always as light as the conditions allow, this not only provides improved bite detection but generally better feel of whats going on down there, you can almost survey / picture the bottom with the right gear once familiar with it.
and
Use the tide / current to your advantage. I know alot of anglers that start with a 6oz gripper and fish right through with it. I keep a light rolling lead on for as much of the session as possible and only step the weight up in size when the tide becomes a nuisance. Let the tide roll it into a gully or broken bit of ground, again a lighter outfit will let you determine the type of ground your fishing.
From your post it seems that the only thing your lacking is confidence. If your not confident with your rigs why not try some ready made ones from the likes of Gemini, buy plenty of different types and try them out.
I personally reckon confidence in angling is a massive element, how many times have we been on charter boats wrecking and the bloke that lands the 1st fish goes on to clear up, catching miles more than the rest of the party? thats the confidence that comes with that 1st fish, knowing his tackle and technique work gives a massive boost and lets him simply concentrate on his fishing and whats going on down there.
My advice would be to get out and experiment, sort out what your happy with on some relaxed experimental sessions on your tod and then go back to the matches and see what happens.

Apologies if I've just spent the last ten minutes being patronising
All the best
Pete

[botomdweler]

many thanks guys for all of your replies, all info and comments is really appreciated

i will endeavour to improve myself and let you know how i get on

not sure of my next match yet as i am a bit tied down with working away but hopefully soon

cheers

bd