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After I reeled in my rig for the first time, I measured the lead weight and found its temperature was 22.8°C. I reckon this temperature is pretty suitable. Also, is my spot right on the transition between shallow and deep water? I’ve heard this kind of area is known as a fish highway/fish path.

Even though relevant laws and regulations are in place, many reservoirs are privately contracted. The contractors carry out illegal fishing using nets, and some rivers are frequently plagued by people using electric fishing devices. There are very few spots available for long-term shore camping fishing, and the viable ones are far away. In many areas, fishing rods fitted with reels are prohibited. Yet we have a strong passion for angling. We are still willing to give it a go even when fish stocks in a given water body are scarce. After my last post, I did walk around the reservoir with a monocular to scout the water. I am not sure whether I failed to identify fish bubbles or there were other factors, but I spotted no signs of fish activity at all. There are crucian carp close to the bank, yet I have never seen anyone land carp or other large fish from the shore. Perhaps the bankside areas are too disturbed and noisy.

I’ve learned all my fishing knowledge entirely online. I spend far more time studying fishing content on the internet than actually fishing on the water. That’s why I often get flustered and confused the moment I arrive at a fishery. I’ve come to realize that instead of second-guessing things on my own, I’d be better off asking seasoned anglers with plenty of real-world experience. They share advice with no commercial agenda, unlike me who only has book knowledge with no on-water practice.

I guess pre baiting is out of the question (which is a good edge), judging by the distance you travel? Is there nowhere closer to home to hone your tactics? As others have said before, your eyes are the best tool you have to try and locate the fish before you think of putting a rig out. Although its all guess work, if you can't see any signs of them. What makes you fish at such range and depth? Ive caught nearly as many fish in the margins. Benefits such as, easier to bait up and also determine if the fish are taking your freebie bait. Its all part of learning how to unlock the puzzle of the venue. Its called fishing, not catching😉

Sounds like you @OldBoyare the one who would be more at home on the other forum As yonny said, if you've not got anything constructive to say, then its probably best you dont in future??? Thanks in advance

Sorry, English isn’t my first language, so I try my best to learn your fishing tactics by asking questions, since I can’t express myself freely in English. I often fish at unfamiliar venues hundreds of kilometres away from home, which is why I had to buy a bait boat fitted with sonar. Even so, I frequently draw a blank. Take today’s spot for example: the average depth here is 4 metres, with the deepest points hitting 6–7 metres, while the bank-side water is only 2 metres deep. I chose the transition zone between the 2-metre shallow shelf and the 4-metre channel drop-off.

As for 'Newbie' "I use a bait boat to locate my swim and save the position as Spot A. I set up my rod pod with the three-point alignment method: rod pod, bait boat and a marker on the opposite bank. I put the largest quantity of bait at Spot A, and place one rod on each side of the rod pod with only a small amount of supplementary bait. What is the reasonable range for this whole setup? Are there any improvements I can make to my current baiting method?My bait boat has significant GPS error, and waves also stop it from staying in a fixed position. Should I use line stops to precisely control the line length from my reel? I’ve noticed some anglers use rangefinders and laser pointers to get accurate distance and angle for the bait boat. Is it necessary for me to buy these tools?" Dosn't sound like someone who is actually new to carp fishing to me if it's true?! 😂

Just as well he didn't post on 'another' forum, suspect his treatment would have been very much harsher than my probing msg for information 😂 If you think this place is 'Dead' why are you still here btw?

The guy has given us a paragraph explaining what he's doing and is asking for advice to improve. Give him a break. It's no wonder this place is dead when newbies get jumped on for no reason whatsoever. If you can help him, do so. If you can't, just move on.

Of course it is it, obviously, but..... what next? What hook size, what bait? Think it might be more interesting if this guy actually explained the waters he is actually fishing tho tbh! Sadly no info on any of that, just more questions that seem to be a bit boring, doesn't give any details of anywhere that is being fished, that's my problem. If he is really in Asia, could probably share some good information on fishing there..... I suspect not though ☹️ Hopefully proved wrong 🤞

Is that not what a forum is for?

Hello mate, From a previous post of yours : I'm from Asia, and our holy grail is landing giant common carp, grass carp, and black carp Not sure why you keep posting on here with so many questions? sorry mods. Maybe you can share some of your actual fishing experiences so far that you need so much advice? 😂👍

I use a bait boat to locate my swim and save the position as Spot A. I set up my rod pod with the three-point alignment method: rod pod, bait boat and a marker on the opposite bank. I put the largest quantity of bait at Spot A, and place one rod on each side of the rod pod with only a small amount of supplementary bait. What is the reasonable range for this whole setup? Are there any improvements I can make to my current baiting method? My bait boat has significant GPS error, and waves also stop it from staying in a fixed position. Should I use line stops to precisely control the line length from my reel? I’ve noticed some anglers use rangefinders and laser pointers to get accurate distance and angle for the bait boat. Is it necessary for me to buy these tools?

I only use backleads when margin fishing to keep line pinned right down. I slide them on. Small ones around .5oz. captive backleads are something I’m looking at for a big pit im fishing. Still trying to work out if they’d actually be beneficial or not.

I have various weights of the fox captive back leads. i don't use them religiously but when I need them they are in a lead pouch in the bucket ready to go along with the solar flying back leads back from donkeys years ago when Richard walker was a boy lol. don’t strike when using them either just pick up the rod and let the line tighten and mostly they then drop off. if weed has gone around the gate and stops it opening a little flick of the rod usually sets it free.

It's so long since I bought them I don't think that the 1oz version is still in the range. The only reason I used them at all was when I fished in the sailing club swims at Nazeing Meads on the Central Lagoon if boats were in use, which is over 7years ago. It was solely to take the line below boats hulls.

So what weight do you use?

Like @yonny I do not like using backleads, for the reasons he states. If you add a backlead, you add an extra angle, and angles reduce indication. I will only use them if there are boats on the water I'm fishing, where I need to get the line below the boat hulls or engine. When I do need to use them, it is the Gardner Tackle Captive Back lead for me. The majority of the time I can get the line running along the lakebed by sinking my rod tips below the surface. That is on reservoirs and lakes. Add in any distance above 40metres and the line runs along the lakebed anyway, unless there are features like gravel bars between your rod tips and the end tackle.

I don't quite get it. We only use it to weigh the line down into the water, not to set the hook.

It wasn’t FOX. I came across two very unique backleads on YouTube back then. One was the Multifunction Backlead 2.0, and the only thing I remember about the other one is that it had hints of green and also flipped over once submerged in water. I’m not sure if it was a British, German, or some other brand—it was extremely niche.

There are no hard/fast rules but generally you'd go heavier for longer distance work and lighter for close-in stuff. I personally am not a fan of back leads. They reduce sensitivity and if there's any weed or debris around they can cause big problems. I remember watching a lad having to land a fish in a boat a few years ago.... his back lead had snagged in the weed. Once released, the rig/fish was also weeded up. It was like a spiders web of line around his swim, looked like a nightmare. He lost the fish. If I had to use one, I'd use a flying back lead. The important thing is getting that last few feet pinned down.

https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/fox-captive-mk2-back-leads?itemId=111949&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21966736211&gbraid=0AAAAAD_NdB5cC_jHX-VAImKGqQro1xmrr&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlqTRBhCBARIsANrkrxjVenr904uw0ZMAuntXYbEYwzTU7171tN7TDjWDrNmXdhD6Ds9I470aAgA-EALw_wcB Possibly this one?

I’ve noticed back leads come in a wide range of weights. How do I pick the right one for different fishing scenarios? ------------ Also, I once came across a type of back lead on YouTube. I remember it’s designed to flip over upon entering the water, and it automatically releases from the line when a fish is hooked or when you lift the rod. I thought it was really well-engineered. The only thing I recall is that it has a bit of green on it. Does anyone remember the model number? I just can’t find it anymore.

https://tacklebox.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/TB6030-Line-Test-PDF-Issue-15-190526.pdf The previous link is no longer valid; the above are the latest working links.

I’m a member of Hastings and bexhill angling club and Clive vale club, send me a PM if you’d like any information on these tickets mate