Birmingham Anglers Association

Hi - for obvious reasons I tend to find I am fishing deeper water or deeper swims in winter and always prefer float if possible, unless I am after barbel. I have a very simple set up which is a hybrid of lots of other methods, but it is great in deep steady swims and I usually catch well if the fish are there and feeding. I use a 17 foot float rod with an avon style float, with a wire stem, taking between 2g and 3g. Most of the weight is an olivet about three feet from hook to get bait down quickly. Have a micro swivel to attach hook length with a few small shot and droppers below oilvet. Bites are very positive and easy to hit with long rod. 17 foot rod allows you to fish in up to about 12 feet quite well. If swim is not too deep I may get away with 15 foot rod set up. Doubt I'll be using this rig any time soon though on the severn.......