W

Waggler
A float attached to the line at the bottom-end only, usually with locking shot, and which can be used in all types of water with small baits such as maggots and casters.

Waggler rod
A float rod with a hollow tip section and a more through-action than a spliced-tip stick float rod, to absorb the shock of the vigorous strikes often needed when waggler-fishing to pick up the line and set the hook.

Walking sinkers
Sinkers designed to move across the bottom, avoiding snags

Walking the Dog
"Walking the dog" is a term given to a type of retrieve used with certain types of topwater baits. To perform this type of retrieve you hold your rod tip down and give it a little twitch, this causes your bait to turn one direction. Reel up the slack just a little then you then give it another twitch and this causes your bait to turn to the opposite direction. You continue this type of motion until you get your bait coming to you in a zig-zag pattern. Not all topwater lures can be retrieved this way. The most famous and popular lure for this is the Zara Spook.

Wallis cast
A method of casting a float or leger with a centrepin reel by giving the line a sharp tug as you cast to set the drum of the reel spinning, and casting so the rig flies out at the same speed as line is peeling off the drum. It takes a bit of practise.

Wand
A short (1.8-3m/6-10ft), sensitive quivertip rod designed for very light, close-range legering with fine tackle.

Warmwater fish
A broad classification on non-salmonid fish that generally have at least one spiny ray, have pelvic and pectoral fins located behind the gills, and are usually suited for water that consistently exceeds 70 degrees F.

Washing-up liquid
Used to make line sink, washing-up liquid can be applied direct to the line on the reel or to a sponge on a rod rest.

Wasp grubs
A deadly bait for chub, especially when used with groundbait containing a wasp's nest mashed up in boiling water.

Water knot
A knot for joining two pieces of line.

Wave action
Wave action disturbs water surface, deters light penetration, and causes a shift in water temperature, current, and forage distribution

Weak stock
"Listed in the Integrated System Plan's list of stocks of high or highest concern; listed in the American Fisheries Society report as at high or moderate risk of extinction; or stocks the National Marine Fisheries Service has listed. ""Weak stock"" is an evolving concept; the Council does not purport to establish a fixed definition. Nor does the Council imply that any particular change in management is required because of this definition."

Weed guards
Devices of wire, plastic, rubber, or nylon attached to hooks which prevent their points from becoming snagged

Weedline
The outside or inside edge of weedbeds

Weed rake
A device comprising the heads of two rakes welded together and fixed to the end of a rope, for clearing water weed.

Weedcutter
A small, curved blade that can be screwed into the end of a landing net handle or long bank stick to cut marginal weed.

Weedless lures
Artificial lures designed so that their hooks don't get snagged up when used in weedy water.

Weigh sling
A net designed to hold large fish such as carp and pike safely while you weigh it.

Weir (fish trap)
Usually a barrier constructed to catch upstream migrating adult fish.

Wels catfish
A hard-fighting, nocturnal, large-mouthed, whiskered, bottom-feeding fish introduced to Britain and found in a few still waters, wels catfish grow to 23kg (50lb) or more.

Wet flies
Flies designed to sink below surface

Wheat
Soaked and boiled grains of wheat are a traditional roach bait, but can also be good for tench and carp. They can be flavoured and dyed.

Whip
A short 1.5-6m (5-20ft), telescopic or partly telescopic pole with a soft flick-tip, designed for catching small fish to hand.

White crumb
White breadcrumbs are commonly used in place of brown crumb to make a slightly heavier groundbait mix.

Wigglers
Nymph stage of the giant mayfly

Wild carp
Also known as wildies, wild carp are descended from carp bred by monks in monastery ponds in the Middle Ages, and are now found in only a few still waters. They are similar in appearance to common carp, but with slimmer bodies, and grow to 7kg (15lb).

Wire lining
Using metal line to present lures when trolling

Wild populations
Fish that have maintained successful natural reproduction with little or no supplementation from hatcheries.

Wild stock
A stock that is sustained by natural spawning and rearing in the natural habitat, regardless of parentage (includes native).

Wire-stemmed pole float
Wire-stemmed pole floats are more stable than ones with cane or carbon stems and are designed for fishing on the bottom rather than on the drop.

Wire-stemmed stick float
A stick float with a wire stem has greater stability in windy conditions and turbulent flow than a cane-stemmed stick float. The heavy stem also allows the hookbait to be held back hard.

Wire-tipped pole float
Wire-tipped pole floats are designed for fishing on the bottom on still waters and canals with small baits for small fish, and register the slightest of bites.

Wire thickness
There are broadly three thicknesses of wire. Fine wire hooks are ideal for presenting small baits such as pinkies and bloodworm as they damage the bait less. They are also light and don't affect bait presentation too much. They tend to straigthen out when under pressure from a big, fighting fish, however. Forged hooks are thick wire and very strong, but they are heavy and tend to spoil perfect bait presentation. They are ideal for catching big, hungry fish. Medium-wire hooks are somewhere between the two other types and make ideal general coarse hooks.

Wire trace
A wire trace between the hook and main line is essential when fishing for pike, catfish and big eels, to prevent the fish biting through the line.

Wobbled deadbait
A deadbait mounted on a set of trebles so that there is a bend in the body of the fish, and slowly retrieved so that it wobbles through the water, resembling a fish in distress.

Worm rigs
Specialized combinations of hooks, weights, and plastic or natural worms