Things to remember: groundbait
- We mix up groundbait using a little water at a time. We want to be able to squeeze it into a small egg-sized ball.
- We use groundbait to attract the fish into our swim (where we are fishing).
- We don't use too much, otherwise the fish will get full.
Bait
- Bait must look natural, otherwise the fish won't eat it.
- Anglers use lots of different types of bait on canals: large maggots (fly larvae), casters (pupae), squatts and pinkies (small maggots), bread and worms.
- The best baits for beginners are squatts, pinkies, maggots and bread.
- When putting a maggot on a hook, you must thread the hook through the flat end of the maggot.
Hooks
- Hooks come in all different sizes. For canal fishing we use a size 18 or smaller.
- When fishing for small fish on the towpath side of the canal, we use a small hook. Use small hooks for small fish.
- If you use a big hook with a maggot, the maggot won't wriggle and the fish won't want to eat it.
- Use bigger hooks with bigger bait when fishing for bigger fish.
Remember: Stay safe. It's safer to fish as part of a group, and children must always have the permission of a parent or guardian.
Before you go fishing you need a rod licence if you are 12 years of age or older. You also need permission from the fishery owner/angling club.
