Freelining

Many anglers arrive at the water with several rods, boxes of floats and feeders, assorted leads and split shot, and a bag of maggots, sweetcorn, meat, bread, pellets and boilies. Freelining offers a lighter alternative that lets you carry less and move freely along the bank.

What freelining is

Freelining means presenting a bait without a float or added weight, relying on the bait's own weight for casting. The simplest setup is a rod, reel, line and hook, though some anglers add a hooklength or a hair rig. Once cast, the bait may drift with the current, sink through the water, rest on the bottom or sit on the surface. A small piece of bread may sink slowly, while a substantial lump of meat can go down quite quickly.

Removing the float and added weight can give the bait more freedom of movement, although line drag and tension still affect how it behaves. An unweighted bait can sometimes draw takes when a more conspicuous presentation does not. A small bait cast gently at close range also lands with little disturbance, though a large bait will still make a splash.

Where it works

A bait with enough weight is easier to cast, and whether it floats or sinks determines where it can be presented. Light baits can be hard to cast any distance, and soft bread may fly off the hook if you cast hard, so gentle, short casts are often more practical. Some common uses:

• Carp: fish cruising the margins of lakes and ponds will often take floating bread crust or a dog biscuit from the surface.
• Barbel and chub: on rivers, a lobworm or a piece of meat rolled across gravel can be effective, provided it is heavy enough to reach the bottom in that depth and flow. Watch for snags, keep control of the line and use tackle strong enough for the swim.
• Chub: a slug or piece of bread flake drifted downstream can tempt chub sheltering beneath overhanging cover.
• Tench and bream: a slowly sinking bait in still water can work, particularly in calm conditions.

Pike are sometimes caught on unweighted deadbaits, but this calls for a wire trace, suitable tackle, reliable bite indication and the skill to unhook pike safely. A trace alone does not make it safe. If you are new to pike, learn with an experienced pike angler.

Freelining is best at close to medium range. In strong flows, deep water or wind, a float or leger usually gives better control.

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Tackle, line control and bites

For general close range coarse fishing, a rod of 10 to 12 feet is a reasonable starting point, but its power should match the species and swim. Load the reel with line strong enough for the fish you expect. Choose a hook size and pattern to suit the bait, target species and conditions, leaving the point clear enough to take hold. A large piece of bread flake or crust may need a fairly big hook.

Travelling light should never mean leaving out essentials. Always take a suitable landing net and a disgorger or forceps, along with any fish support equipment the venue requires.

With no float, you read bites from the line, the rod tip or the bait itself. When a bait is drifting, feed line steadily so it can move naturally, but avoid letting loose coils build up. Too much slack and the tip will not show a take; too much tension and you will drag the bait out of position. Signs of a bite include:

• the line stopping, tightening or moving unexpectedly where it enters the water
• a pull felt through line held lightly between your fingers
• a pull or knock on the rod tip
• a surface bait being taken, rather than merely nudged

Fish can take a freelined bait with little resistance, so stay with the rod. Watch continuously and respond promptly to a positive take to reduce the risk of deep hooking.

Rules, welfare and where to fish

In England and Wales, anyone aged 13 or over needs a rod fishing licence to fish for freshwater fish with rod and line. Junior licences for ages 13 to 16 are free but must still be obtained, and children under 13 do not need one. Licences are available on GOV.UK. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules, so check with the relevant authority.

A licence does not give you the right to fish anywhere. You also need permission from whoever holds the fishing rights, which may mean buying a day ticket or joining a club or syndicate.

The coarse fishing close season on rivers, streams and drains in England and Wales runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. Some canals and stillwaters have statutory restrictions, and individual fisheries may close at other times. Check Environment Agency guidance for England and Natural Resources Wales guidance for Wales before you go.

Fisheries may also restrict certain baits, hook patterns or surface fishing, and many require barbless or micro barbed hooks, so follow the rules for your venue. An unhooking mat or cradle matters whenever a fish has to be placed on the bank, and is often compulsory. Take all line and hooks home, as discarded tackle harms wildlife. If you move between waters, clean and dry nets, mats and footwear following Check, Clean, Dry guidance.

The Angling Trust is a useful starting point for clubs and fisheries. Local tackle shops and clubs can advise on waters that suit freelining, productive local baits and current conditions.