ADTV Match Masterclass - Dobbing Bread Improved

At this time of year when the water starts to cool, carp and f1s have a tendency to shoal and will only feed for short periods of the day. When the fishing is like this there is no better tactic on commercial fisheries than dobbing. Simply presenting a single visual hookbait such as bread beneath a float and trying several different spots until you find a shoal of fish. No loose feed at all. It needs to be seen to be believed how deadly these tactics can be! Compared to last time I made a few slight rig changes. I decided to fish a bit lighter. It was raised in the comments on our original video that my bread was sinking too fast and I completely agree. I didn't need to be fishing within frame of the camera this time so I dropped down to a lighter float and just used two number 12 shot on my line to break the surface film and allow my bait to sink as slowly and naturally as possible. 

The most critical finding from our underwater filming was the importance of movement. Static hookbaits were ignored over and over by the fish while slow, natural falls attracted more interest. Often producing bites as the bread reached the bottom of the fall. Most of the carp and F1s we caught in this session took the bait at exactly that moment. To make the most of this I give each cast 30 seconds to a minute before recasting. This is just the right amount of time for the bread to slow-sink all the way down but not so long that it sits stationary for any length of time. In order to find where the fish were feeding I cast to all the likely looking features - try aerators, weed-beds and any sheltered or overhanging areas you can see. Don't be afraid to be constantly adjusting the depth too, because in the winter, where you find one, there's likely to be more. About two-feet off the bottom is a good starting point. 

Another key takeaway was the significance of bait size. I always have a selection of punches when I’m bread fishing but for years, up to and including our underwater session I have always used the largest one, 12mm for the most visual attraction. Whilst the larger bread disk was possibly more visible we had several occasions on film where carp failed to get the larger bait into their mouths. As an experiment I tried using my smallest 4mm punch and I have never looked back. The fish found it no less attractive and they were all able to eat it without any issues. If you were solely targeting larger carp then it does still make sense to use the larger punch. It’s worth also mentioning that I no longer pinch the bread disks very hard. Having the bread pinched onto the hook very gently makes for a more light and fluffy bait presentation that again helps with natural movement. 

The right gear is crucial for successful dobbing in winter conditions. I start with orange slik elastic, (12-14) which is a nice balance for the varied fish sizes in Meadow Farm. You should adjust the elastic strength to match the fish in your venue. The same goes for your mainline. In this case I used 0.16mm mainline, supported by No.8 and No.12 shot to ensure your rig breaks the water’s surface tension and sinks naturally. A Carp shallow 0.2g pole float with a carbon stem is ideal for detecting bites as the bait falls. I used a size 16 barbless hook and when I wanted to add a little extra attraction to my hookbait I added a bit of the Dynamite Wowsers ESB bait spray. 

Fishing in freezing winter conditions isn’t for the faint-hearted but with the right techniques, it’s incredibly rewarding and it can be really enjoyable to use super simple methods like dobbing. The Balance and effectiveness of this tactic were proven to be effective during the session. I was able to land several pristine f1s and a few carp up to three or four pounds. You wouldn't need to many like that to win a match at this time of year. This session demonstrated that even in the iciest weather, you can catch by focusing on movement, precise baiting, and adapting to the fish’s behavior throughout your session. Whether you’re targeting carp or other species, these tips will help you make the most of your winter fishing.

For more insights, including our underwater footage, check out our video and other masterclass content. Stay warm and tight lines!