On canals with a pull, a loose fed maggot or caster approach down the middle can be deadly, catching fish which normally won't be caught on other methods. This consists of plumbing up to find the bottom of the far shelf or edge of the track. In most cases this will lie in an area between half way and two thirds across the canal. Feeding and fishing down your peg into the quiet area between you and the next angler.

The maggot approach starts by laying your float over depth by 3 to 12 inches (75mm. to 300mm.) and holding your float very still or inching it slowly down the peg, feeding between 6 and 8 maggots on a regular basis. If after 20- 30 minutes feeding and no bites materialize you can bet this approach is not right on the day. But on the good days and after feeding the track for 20 minutes and starting on the inside for bits. First drop down the track results in a missed bite, second drop in a Gudgeon. This signals that there are fish feeding down the track and a few better fish will be caught in the next hour or so. This only lasts for a short time as the maggot approach catches quickly and fades away to nothing in a short time, so I find it best to start another maggot line going once I start catching.

The caster approach works on the same idea and feed. But your float needs to be set to fish only one or two inches (25-50mm.) over depth and steadily trotting your float downstream, working your hook bait across the bottom. Whether using maggot or caster you still may need to make adjustments as session goes on i.e. shallowing up, deepening, laying on, running through all need to be tried to find best method on day. The caster can be a slow starter and still win you the match in the last hour, so with this caster method you must persevere. 

In both attacks you need the canal to be pulling. If there's no movement at start you have to be patient as movement will stir fish into feeding, turning a seemingly dead peg into a winner. If bigger fish such as chub are the target line and hooks need beefing up.  

M.B. (Handmade) Canal Specials