Australian Coarse Fishing - A Guide to Coarse Fishing Terminology

Coarse fishing tackle has been the subject of a great deal of publicity and along with the new range of tackle has come a whole host of terminology. Here is a list of many of the new words and what they mean.

BANKSTICK:

A rod or "stick" made from stainless steel or aluminium. Although usually around a metre or so in length, adjustable length types are available. The Bankstick has a threaded insert on the top end to take various types of rod rests or stands. The thread has a universal size with all types of rod rest heads being fully interchangeable.

BLANK:

Term used to describe a days fishing when the angler catches nothing.

FEEDER:

A small groundbait or berley cage. It replaces and does the same job as a sinker. Available in many shapes and sizes to cover all types of water conditions. The feeder gives the angler the advantage of knowing the groundbait or berley is in the best possible place, close to the hook!

FEEDER BOOM:

A small boom used in conjunction with the feeder to prevent tangles when casting.

FLOAT ROD:

A rod designed exclusively for float fishing from the bank ideally 12'-13' in length, it gives the angler a number of advantages over shorter rods, i.e. because of the length.

HOOK LENGTH:

Term used to describe the length of usually lighter breaking strain line below a float or feeder.

LEGER STOP:

A small plastic tube with a tight fitting plug attached to the line which is used as an adjustable stopper to prevent the feeder or sinker sliding down to the hook.

LOCSLIDE FLOAT:
Special float used as a bite indicator when fishing with feeders.

LOOSE FEED:
When fishing, "loose feed" are the words used to describe small bait particles thrown into the water, in an area you are fishing, to help stimulate the fish into feeding.

MATCH FISHING:
Another word for competition fishing. Traditionally match fishing overseas involves anglers paying an entry fee, drawing a number from a hat which corresponds to a numbered peg on the water's edge. This is where the angler must fish for the duration of the competition. At the final whistle all fish caught must be weighed in alive; dead fish do not count.

NIBBLE TIP:
An American word for Quiver tip.

PLUMMET:
A small weight with a ring at the top and a piece of cork at the bottom used in determining the depth of the water you are fishing.

POLE:
Used for fishing a float without a reel. The line is attached only to the end of the pole. Lengths vary from 2m (6') to an incredible 17.5m (56').

QUIVER TIP:
A Quiver Tip is a fine, tapered extended top section of a rod. The quiver tip acts as a super sensitive bite indicator enabling the angler to see the softest of bites without the fish feeling the resistance. Rods fitted with quiver tips are available, or existing rods may be converted to take "screw in" quiver tips.

SHEDFULL:
The term used to describe the situation where the angler is getting a bite or catching a fish every cast. A situation which, unfortunately does not happen enough.

SHOTTING PATTERN:
Describes the positioning of the split shot between the float and the hook.

SLIDER:
A float used when the angler wants to fish a bait under the float at a depth deeper than the length of the rod being used.

SPRING TIP:
A variation of the quiver tip with a spring at the base allowing the angler to adjust the tension of the tip.

STICK FLOAT:
Float used when fishing flowing water (river/streams etc.).

SWING TIP:
Another type of bite indicator which may be fitted to the end of a rod. The swing tip actually hangs down from the rod tip and is best suited to very slow moving or still waters.

SWIM:
Term used for the piece of water the angler is fishing.

TROTTING:
When a stick float is being used, trotting describes the path of the float as it travels downstream from the angler.

WAGGLER FLOAT:
A float for fishing stillwaters (lakes, etc.), attached to the line by a small ring at the bottom of the float only.