How to: Beginners Guide to Whip Fishing Part 1

What you need to know about fishing whips and terminal tackle to get started.

[@paulgiannetto5317]

First time someone has given a good explanation of the characteristics of whip floats. Thank you

[@buckrichard7690]

Thank you Gus for this video. I’m about to get a 6m whip and there is a lack of information about rigs. The section on the different float properties was really helpful. Look forward to more videos in the future.

[@bobbystevenson8306]

Great video Gus mate good to see you again it’s been a while,

[@allanforsdick6636]

Excellent overview and intro. Thanks very much.

[@danielmoonesamy2707]

Brilliant video Gus👍🏾

[@paulmauger7642]

Fantastic and well informative,thank you

[@samgarrod4781]

Think I'll get one to use on the slower Broads next year. 👍🏻

[@giveitaswingoutdoorswithsm2901]

The term whipping bleak is found in the Compleat Angler Izzak Walten 🎣🎣🎣

[@AnthonyWilliams-ew3wp]

Gus. I’m late to seeing this. Here’s an issue I could use some help with. I have a 6m whip. Typically,I would look to use it in a lake with a depth of around 5 foot. If I use a line which would allow me to swing to hand, then the lash between my tip and the float will be more than 4.5 metres. Which means that I have to hold the whip a long way to the side of where my float is. How could I fish more effectively? I have been using a shorter rig than the whip length which means I have to ship in like a pole. Which rather defeats the object of the exercise.

[@GusBrindle]

Hi Anthony, I take it you are trying to fish right under the whip tip? Normally when fishing a whip on a Stillwater you would be fishing straight out in front of you as far as the whip will allow. Normally when swinging to hand the hook would come to your hand about 50-60 cm up from the butt so you would have about 5.5 mtrs of line from the whip tip to hook. If the water is 5ft (1.5 mtrs) then you would be looking to fish up to 4 mtrs beyond the whip tip - i.e. somewhere around the 10 mtr line. If you wanted to fish the 6 mtr line you have two options. Fish 4 mtrs to you left or right on the 6 mtr line. This will ensure that you have control of the rig. Or, if you want to fish straight in front of you you could just take two sections off and shorten your rig so you are fishing 4 mtrs to hand. If it’s a telescopic whip just take the but cap off and take the require number of section out before you and leave the bottom two section in your bag. I am going to do a couple of short videos on fishing the whip on running and still waters in the next month which will hopefully explain this better.

[@AnthonyWilliams-ew3wp]

@@GusBrindle thanks Gus. That makes sense. Look forward to the upcoming videos. All the best.

[@mathsinminutes2340]

Hi Gus I have just got back into fishing after 20 years,I will be getting a pole soon,so in the mean time i just brought a 6m telescopic whip for my local lake, should I consider elasticating it because there are quite a lot of big bream and skimmers, also if I elasticated it how many sections would I elasticate ? Kind regards Robert

[@GusBrindle]

Yes, if you will be targeting, or are likely to catch, big skimmers and bream I would elasticate it. I would suggest taking out the No1 section and elasticate the next two provided the b oh re of the no 2 section isn’t too big. If it is you may need to cut and bush the No1 section but thus will mean you can’t go back to using it as a whip. I would opt for a No6 elastic to start with and see how it goes. You may need to step up to No 7 or 8 if the fish are big. Gus

[@mathsinminutes2340]

@@GusBrindle Hi Gus thanks so much for the reply I really appreciate it. Had my first session last week at my local park lake on rod and reel and caught 4 big bream ,was so happy, my whip should arrive mid week and will try it out on Thursday,will send you a update message, I have ordered 2 elastic kits 8 and 12, again thanks so so much, ohhhh actually one cheeky question if I may , to avoid the dreaded Crayfish how far off bottom should I fish?

[@GusBrindle]

@@mathsinminutes2340 Ii fish Loch Ken which as sadly badly affected by crayfish. I think it’s more about what you feed. If you fish too far of the bottom, far enough to minimise the chances of catching crayfish, you also reduced you chances if a good weight if skimmers. I would avoid large amounts of chopped worms or fish meal. If that is what you need to feed on your water then fish around the baited area, just beyond, left and right and don’t leave your bait in one place too long.

[@mathsinminutes2340]

@@GusBrindle Hi Gus,quick update so I fished a 4m whip and elasticated a 6m one, I caught 30 silver fish in a few hours so was very happy about that,I did notice though that a 4m the depth was about 3 feet and I did not get bothered by a single Crayfish, then I dropped my hook bait by my platform and got one there ,it seems they only like the shallow margins,anyway thanks again for your advice, looking forward to your next video. Kind regards Robert

[@glenysellen7344]

Hi Gus, sorry using my wife’s account. If using the whip at 5,6 or 7mtrs do you use line to that length or make them say 3 mtrs and up ship the whip as pole fishing. Thanks.

[@GusBrindle]

You really need to use the line to your hand to get the best out of the method. If you hold the whip normally the the average size fish you expect to catch should swing directly to your free hand.

[@glenysellen7344]

@@GusBrindle thanks gus.

[@pilgrimoutdoors-uk6177]

@@glenysellen7344 This was the exact question I was trying to find out. I've used a 4 mtr and just swapped to a 7 ..and wanted to know if I should now fish a 7 meter long line. Thanks.

[@pilgrimoutdoors-uk6177]

@@GusBrindle This was the exact question I was trying to find out. I've used a 4 mtr and just swapped to a 7 ..and wanted to know if I should now fish a 7 meter long line. Thanks.

[@grumpygrandpa3640]

This sounds all good for match fishing but what about those that just go whip fishing for fun

[@GusBrindle]

Hi mate, Principles remain the same but, if you are just fishing for pleasure and aren’t too worried about speed then I would recommend just fishing a normal 0.5g float float, like the Jolly I showed, with a bulk and a couple of droppers. You could connect the rig directly to the flick tip but if there was a good chance of the odd bonus fish then removing the tip section and putting elastic through the next two might be a better option (but remember, if you do this you will be shortening the whip). My good mate Matt Godfrey has done a great little video on getting started setting up and fishing with one of the Guru whip fishing kits. You can find it at this link. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIqceKaArLNlbqc. Tight Lines, Gus

[@grumpygrandpa3640]

@@GusBrindle Thankyou I’ll bare that in mind and give that link a watch as well 👍

[@jeffchandler7662]

You really do need to buy some Velcro strips to hold your rigs to your whips !!!!

[@GusBrindle]

😂 I've got literally hundreds of them Jeff. Just don't use them with my whip rigs. There is a lot less chance of me losing a roll of masking tape than velcro wraps - and I've lost hundreds over the years. Plus, once you have removed the winder you can wrap the tape back around the whip and use it to secure your hook while the whip is on your roost. I know, combination of old fashioned and tight as.....🤣 but works for me.

[@derekskinner]

You mention problems with the wind when whip fishing--but dont say anything about fishing a waggler float on the whip, with a waggler you can sink the line to combat the wind very effectively ,Just about all the whip fishing videos that you see NO one mentions using a waggler--,I have fished whips for over 35 years and more than 95% of the time I fish wagglers.. and use a home made whip waggler that I invented in the late 80`s, which are very very simple to make and work really well.

[@derekskinner]

PS: this is just a question NOT a critisisum.

[@GusBrindle]

You are absolutely right Derek you can of course use a waggler to combat the wind by sinking the line between the whip tip and the waggler. On its day this can be effective and I have used this myself on numerous occasions in the past and have some specially make wagglers for the job. It’s A good choice in clear bright conditions when you don’t want to wave a pole about over the top of wary fish. The only drawback is that it isn’t as quick as fishing a top and bottom float and you have less control but always worth having in your armoury.

[@derekskinner]

@@GusBrindle I`m sorry,, but I cant agree that it is not as quick at all, and with the attachment I use you are striking direct into the fish rather than striking into the float first-- and the only time a top and bottom has more control is in running water when you are running down within the length of the whip and want to hold back at times.

[@GusBrindle]

@@derekskinner that’s the beauty of the sport we all love Derek. A lot if it depends on where and what you are fishing for, how you fish and what you have confidence in. As I mentioned I do use special wagglers myself on occasions but my preference is for top and bottom floats. The important thing is to keep an open mind and keep trying new things.

[@geralddavies1463]

Derek Skinner any chance you could provide more info on your waggler whip floats returning to course fishing and two venues i will be fishing all year round will have days where a whip is needed . Cheers Gerry