The best rig to fish over weed is the chod rig. The chod rig allows the bait to sit just above the weed, ensuring it remains visible and accessible to fish. With both the braid and fluorocarbon I try to get as much line down as possible. This may mean threading around weed I can see, or even raking out a channel to my spot with one of the castable weed rakes. The most important part is the last few feet, and if I have that down, I find I can deal with the rest of my line lay, even if it means having it lying on top of the weed itself. A rake’s weight and the materials it’s made out of are also very important. Most rakes are made of steel, aluminum, or a combination of the two; some may include plastic.

Are Lake Rakes Always Good Choices? Rakes are great for smaller ponds and lakes, but may not be practical for large water bodies or extensive weed growth. Public domain. Zander, Pike, Bream, Roach, Tench, Perch, Rudd, Common Carp, Mirror Carp, Eel, Grayling, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout Better than weed cutters as Jake’s Rakes are designed to dig down into the lake bed to remove the roots. Remove the root, remove the problem. Adjust Your Rig: Opt for rigs like the chod or helicopter rig that are designed for weedy situations. Choose Buoyant Baits: Pop-ups or critically balanced baits ensure your bait is presented just above the weed.

Any member can borrow the weed rake(s) by contacting the Secretary

It can be the case that once a clear area is found, you can then clip up and add a marker float for visibility. I prefer to clip up once I’m happy and have the area sighted up with a far bank point, and then wrap it up, and doing the same then with my actual rods and spod if needed. This also causes less disturbance in the long run, and once I have recorded these spots, I can just wrap up my rods next time and be straight on them.

The materials a rake is made of determines its durability and weight. Metal rakes — the most common type used for removing lake weeds — are far more durable, but they’re also likely to be heavier. Raking lake weeds is often physically challenging, and the heavier your rake is, the tougher it will be to use. Before buying a rake, make sure that it’s light enough for you to push, pull, and throw (when applicable) without too much strain. Look for words like “stainless,”“galvanized,” or “powder-coated,” which indicate that a metal has been treated to resist corrosion.All Jake’s rakes use the Jake’s Rakes pattern which is perfectly shaped spaced and tapered tines that produce a rake that out performs all others.