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TAKE YOUR LITTER HOME!!
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The other major problem with zeds is their aversion to change in resistance and although at times they will feed confidently far more are the times when takes are aborted due to clumsy rigs or indication. To keep my rigs as free running as possible I used buoyant leger stems to keep the main line above the trace clear of any bottom debris and anchored them with heavy leads. Contrary to popular belief a light lead does not mean less resistance, it means it is more likely to move - and thereby create resistance - during the take than a heavy one which acts as an anchor, allowing the line to pull cleanly through it.
A buoyant leger stem and heavy lead helps keep
resistance to an absolute minimum.
My traces were 49X strand wire by Predator Pro which is beautifully supple and allows hooks to be knotted rather than twisted or crimped. A pair of fine but tough size 10 Drennan semi-barbed trebles completed the outfit. Delicate enough for zander and, although I’d not risk the hooks on a mega-pike water, more than capable of handling anything I was likely to encounter.
49 strand wire gives traces a degree of subtlety
lacking in many wires, for zeds it can make a difference.
Zander will not tolerate excessive resistance and rather
than use typical pike drop offs I adapt my light home made perch fishing bobbins.
I scale down my trebles for subtle presentation of small zander
baits and these Drennan size 10s are ideal.
For bait I had small, frozen roach deadbaits as the first line of attack with mackerel in reserve. In case the zeds really weren’t having it I’d put a few packs of sardines, smelt and herring in the cool bag to cover all bases.
I employed small (8 – 10 cm) roach deadbaits and
punctured them with a baiting needle to let the natural juices escape.
My thoughts on zander baits have changed a little during the past twelve months largely following a session last winter on Old Bury Hill Lake with resident predator expert Eric Bailey. I’d always taken it as gospel that sea baits were a total no no for zander but on Old Bury Hill at least Eric rates mackerel as tops.
This was coupled with the fact that Osprey member Clive Bradley had his big Wyboston zander on… a mackerel!
With the zander likely to be feeding at first light I was keen to get the small roach out for starters. One I punctured repeatedly with a baiting needle to let the juices flow freely; the second I wanted to fish just off bottom so kept it whole and weighted it with a couple of shot nipped on the trace. Both were blasted to the middle of the lagoon, as far away from any bankside disturbance as possible.