Prepare to win your first pole fishing match
Course pack: Match plan timetable and review sheet. Coach Willy, our virtual AI coach, can explain each step, set you a practice task and check your understanding.
Who it's for
You've done the basics and want to tighten things up.
Where and when
Done on the bank. Best in: all.
What you'll work through
- 1Understand the match and its rules
- 2Prepare bait tackle and a simple plan
- 3Build and manage feeding lines
- 4Practise time decisions and landing efficiency
- 5Review the result and identify the next improvement
Step 1: Understand the match and its rules
Alright mate, let's get stuck into prepare to win your first pole fishing match. I'll walk you through what to look for, what to try and how to tell whether it helped. We'll start with understand the match and its rules, then work through a proper practice job at each step. Take it at your own pace and keep a few notes so you've got a useful plan for next time.
By the end of this step
Have a go at: understand the match and its rules.
Check first
Check GOV.UK rod licence rules, their geographic coverage and fishery/club rules before fishing. Confirm local restrictions and permitted fish retention arrangements rather than relying on this course.
Willy’s take
Right, before match day even starts, get your head round the rules properly, mate. Know the peg draw system, start and finish times, permitted baits and methods, and how weigh-in works — these vary between matches and venues, so don't assume it's the same as a mate's club match you've heard about.
Check whether keepnets are allowed and how fish are measured or weighed, since getting this wrong on the day can cost you points or even disqualification. A quick read of the match rules sheet or a chat with the organiser beforehand saves a lot of grief later.
Kit I'd start with
- Match prep starts with knowing the rules, so keep a copy of the match sheet or organiser's contact details to hand.
- Tackle-wise, bring two or three made-up pole rigs on winders matched to realistic conditions: a light rig with 0.10-0.12mm line, a size 18-20 hook and a fine solid or hollow elastic (grade 4-6) for small fish like roach and skimmers, plus a stronger rig with 0.14-0.16mm line, a size 14-16 hook and a mid hollow elastic (grade 8-10) if bream, tench or F1s are likely — don't run the same light elastic for every species the venue might produce.
- Pack spare hooklengths tied in advance, a selection of shot, a pole cup or two, a landing net or weigh sling as the rules require, and bait prepared to the maker's directions the night before so morning prep is calm rather than rushed.
- Elastic grades aren't standard across brands or between solid and hollow types; those figures are discussion examples, not interchangeable ratings. Check the maker's line recommendation, pole limits and safe landing route together before making rigs.
On the bank
Worked example
Imagine you've turned up assuming keepnets are standard, but this match actually requires immediate release with a weigh sling. Hypothetically, what happens to your plan if you find this out only after starting to fish, and how would you avoid that?
Your turn: Understand the match and its rules
- 1
Read the match rules sheet in full before the day
- 2
Confirm permitted bait, method and keepnet rules
That's the free sample — this is where it stops
The full step keeps going with the rest of the practice job, common mistakes and fixes, a check-your-understanding quiz and your Match plan timetable and review sheet. Then 4 more steps, each with its own task, and Coach Willy on hand to talk it through.
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