Pole Fishing Tips | Set up to fish the long pole properly - Steve Ringer

WE ALL want to start fishing as soon as we can when arriving at a lake or river, but this rush to get set up can be detrimental for later in the session, especially when fishing the long pole. If you take your time to get organised properly, you’ll be more efficient and catch more fish!

This definitely applies to the long pole, a method that requires as much thought to how your seatbox and pole rollers are set up as it does to the rigs and baits on the other end. Fish with an uneven box that’s set too low down to the ground and it’s hard work.

Likewise, have your pole roller in the wrong position or at the wrong height and unshipping will become a real chore. Worse than that, you could end up breaking your pole. Getting set up properly is a good habit to get into and when done correctly, will allow you to become more machine-like with your fishing, working smoothly with everything in place and to hand.

If you take your time to get organised properly, you’ll be more efficient and catch more fish!

Get level!

Not getting your box level is a recipe for disaster and will give you backache! Make sure your feet are flat on the footplate and sit with your legs slightly to one side, resting the pole across your thighs. Your elbow will then rest on top of the pole.

How many rollers?

On flat banks, I’d use one roller for fishing up to 11m and two past this. If the bank behind you is steep, you can get away with one and use the bank as a second. I like to extend my roller legs fully so my rig is always in the water when shipping.

Side tray height

Fix your side tray too low and you’ll always be reaching for feed or hookbaits, which will put you off balance. I want to simply reach off to one side and pick up bait or a catapult without taking my eyes off the float.

Bump bars

These seem a good idea as they leave your hands free to feed. In windy weather they’re great, taking the strain of battling with 13m of pole off your back and also keeping the rig dead still. For pole fishing beginners, they’re a must.