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After working a 2pm-2am shift, I popped down to a local park lake to await the morning when I would be able to park on my road (that was my excuse anyway) I managed a carp that probably wouldn’t look out of place in Yonny’s koi pond, but it kicks off October

Week in Belgium for the first time, trip was everything I'd hoped for and more - lake to ourselves 2 anglers 6 acres, paid more but wouldn't add another angler tbh Epic week, tough fishing but so interesting, acting on sightings as usual, spreading the rods far and wide obvs to the point where I was quiver tipping from the pod in both directions at one point lol. This kicked me hard after a bleep in the early hours suddenly turned into a rod flying through the air into the pond as the clutches were too tight. 3 boats trips later after much panicking I picked up the line, got the rod and landed the fish unbelievably. Several boat battles each, quality fish averaging mid 30s, great company, many laughs, team work - learning on the job in boats it was mega in truth, didn't want it to end. By the end of the week we had a well established pattern of only ever catching on a spot on the first night/dawn, no spot did another bite after a fish came off it, so if you weren't moving spots you weren't catching end of. On the last night we predicted that we could both reel in 2 rods and only leave the new one out and obvs it was true - one take each that night on the new spots - pretty mad really. We caught by far the most on the complex and laughed the loudest I reckon. My 'GET IN' when the rod was back in my hand must have woke the complex lol 8 fish for me from 26.8 to 42, my mate 6 from 29 to 44.12 I had all mirrors which is perfect - he had mostly commons again, interestingly he caught mostly commons last trip I didnt and same on a syndi water. Only difference I've noticed he uses a yellow topper, I don't. My second biggest fish's pic wasn't focussed unfortunately, I didnt show him half pressing - usually give him the remote- cant go wrong with that but thankfully re-mastering it made it semi useable so sorry about that. Ian again, thanks for the camera tips etc, got my best night takes ever of mateys big commons and enjoying using my remote - should always do it tbh my self takes are always my favourite pics of the trip. 🤦 I've had worse tbh another mate chops your head off lol Carp Arena, Lilly Pool - drive and survive, small supplies shop, bbq area with fridges, freezers, drinks, chocs and water. Flushing toilets near clean warm showers, bio toilets elsewhere, saw dust is amazing no smells and emptied every 3 days. We didn't get bothered once which we loved, others who blanked on other pits moaned about just about everything so it's not a complex for everyone I guess. Looking to re-book the lake and possibly have a go on Clover Lake 😎🇧🇪

3rd time this year ffs 🤣 I've had 5 fish from this lake and 3 of them has been the same fish 🖕🤣 29lb 8oz lol

So this weekend was great. I've been doing a lot of work to improve water quality/clarity and on Saturday morning I realised I can now see the bottom in 2m of water. Result. The skimmer I put in is working a treat. A decent weekend all round. Fish are still happy but the feeding has slowed right down in the reducing temps.

You go off places - sometimes unexpectedly it happens, I do agree with Yonny though in that you've got the ticket and there are whackers, it's a great time of year now right into Dec. You've paid the money why not commit to having a good bash if you're not renewing, nothing more rewarding/inspiring than seeing the broad back of a monster in your net! All it takes is seeing one patch of bubbles at dawn and you might have unlocked the autumn feed-up area and a hit could be on!

Tricky one mate. I never fish as well on a social as I do on my own. When you're on your own it's easier to put 100% into your angling imo. I guess you need to ask yourself why you're not feeling it. In my experience, catching a few good fish is the best way to start feeling it, so I'd go all out to bag a good'n before winter hits. Staring at a 40lber in the net is a sure fire way to get the buzz back and you have the opportunity to do that right there in front of you. If it were me, I'd forget about the socials and get down there with a plan to watch, and watch, and watch, and move onto them at any given hour. Hard work always pays off and the harder you work, the bigger the buzz when it all comes good.

No more worrying about leaves...... I spent Saturday building some netted covers. I made 3 in 2.4m x 2m rather than one biggun - A) to give some flexibility in coverage, and B) because a biggun would weigh a tonne. Quite happy with the result and it's nice to know that not one single leaf will be in that pond from now on. The fish are slowing right down now, winter is defo on its way. It's a bit gutting after such a short space of time to enjoy the pond, but at least I know we're in good shape for next year. The water quality is the nuts, the fish are looking very healthy, all set to grow a British record in the coming years 🤣

They're two separate tickets mate. The estate has about 2 miles of bank, over 4 stream fed lakes in a valley, a lot of it is unfishable. It is lovely, with natural English carp rumoured to e around the 30 mark. Just talking about it is making me want to go

We have been doctored to accept what was previously written. we ain’t carp so it’s only all theory. how many times have the books said on certain conditions you should empty the lake and you blank,and when you think you are only there to take part you empty the lake.

Pressure is dropping and temps are rising by me. I'd not let the rain put me off tbf.

Couple from my year to date for you all. One from my new ticket, one of 2 trips I actually got over there since July. Mountains of weed cleared from the swim!

It's took me a while to adjust from the ressies as well mate, I love everything about it. Fishing at range, spodding big beds of bait out, hauling multiple 20s a day 👌🤣 I haven't really done any fishing on the reservoirs this year, its been mainly the canal and the complex. Totally different type of fishing imho, really weedy waters, trying to find little holes in the weed then trying to present a bait over it lol. I think out of the last 30 days I've spent about 5 at home, and only had 2 carp (same fish 🤣) Starting to feel burnt out from it now, ended up coming home this afternoon, but now I'm watching the weather forecast and we've got some low pressure coming in and now I'm thinking should I go back down 🤣

Like Ian I've tried making snail baits from real shell and canned snail meat, looked mega but a waste of time in the end. The fake one's again look great but try reeling them in and you have a spinning propellor so your rig whether zig or bottom fished will be ruined every time it is brought back in. My next approach to this will be the black NS1 pop-ups that I've bought, looks snail enough in my mind 🤷‍♂️

Bought some stuff over the past few months mostly for my summer trip next year. Wychwood drogue clamps - these rachet clamps are to hold the rolled up net against the boat on the return journey from a boat battle - these are the ones I'm assured. 25 x 6oz leads 3 x Large Fox H Blocks, 3 x 8oz leads 3 x Jag Rod Lockers - after last time 😀 1 x 15inch and 1 x 26 inch banksticks - making that a set of 3 of each I've got for fishing singles with the tips up so you can boat under the lines. Bought a Solar 3 rod sleeve for my spare rods as my son will be using those, sent that back and bought a second Cotswold 3 rod sling instead. Korda UV shirt for my son (Xmas) Ridgemonkey Bivvy light, I'll keep the new one, my son can borrow the old one. New one doesn't come with a case - disappointing. Bivvy light case lol Head Torch case - coz I never got one for that either!!! 4 x cheap banksticks for night lights and video camera (night shots) 6 x Gardener line clips - these are a bargain £5.49 for 3, replacing all 6 of my Delkim clips which are getting annoying as the line doesn't want to come out with a few of them when you have a fish on. Oh and an Aviator net to go with my Torrix one and 2 new deep meshes. Going to buy an outboard and leisure battery but not rushing that as batteries degrade anyway and new better stuff might come out in the meantime. I have said several times over the past couple of years, I'm done - what else could I possibly NEED? yet there's plenty it seems.

So, I joined a little syndicate recently. Well stocked to a few early 40's, Initially thought there's a few odd rules, but whatever. As times gone by (4 x 48's), I've had a low 30 on the first visit) I've sort of lost interest in the place. A few mates are on the ticket, but we haven't been free at the same time for a social. After fishing a reservoir and that feeling of having something no ones caught before, I've just not had the same buzz with this place. The search for a decent venue continues i guess??

That sounds very very nice, freedom and if you can fish the stream a perfect escape! I've not felt the vibe since coming back from Belgium and my daughter's moved back in so it's been busy too, but reading your post makes me want to have a few hours lure fishing on our stream running through the syndi maybe Sunday morning. Got a weekend job come up that'll last right through winter if I don't pull my finger out - the target now is 5 nights at Bluebell in Dec if I can get finished in time.

Sounds ideal mate., I don't get the enthusiam a lot for carp now, probably because of the club water I now fish, it is not what it used to be. Still like playing about with tactics that are not so trendy now and they do work too. Think when you reach a certain age it is just making the time on the bank that matters to me

Agreed. At 6am this morning I checked my pond (as I do every morning) and the carp were really active. It was 4 degrees and had been raining so I expected them to be sitting somewhere near to the deck, but they looked up for a feed. You just never know innit.

I agree with the others, you might as well have a bash at those whackers, you've got the ticket and you may as well, you might find you enjoy it when you catch another one. That being said I couldn't be bothered to go tonight, I was so tired last night I couldn't be harrised to sort my kit out just to rush before dark, so I didn't 😂 You might find the banks are a bit quieter now and that might help you to enjoy it. Rather than comparing it to the other place look at the challenge you are faced with and think how best to catch them whackers.

Now that's what I call a catch report😬 I'm not jealous at all @kevtaylor. Not one bit🤥 Well done mate.

You should try would be fun getting dragged up the towpath for miles 😂

End up hooking a catfish 🤣 there's a few chunks in the canal and its only a matter of time before one of us gets stripped by one🤣

The storm on Friday gone was a nightmare for the leaves.... I put a net over the pond but it was useless. I'm worried about the leaves blocking up the bottom drain and filter, and drawing oxygen out of the water as they decay. I have the local expert round tonight to quote for replacing the skimmer system and I've ordered the best temporary skimmer you can get. Should do the job for now, but we'll wait to see the cost of the the permanent solution 😬

I can't belive no one has been out having a go? Last week has been good conditions, full moon too. I can't get out due to family stuff😔

Totally. Spent a few hours there the other day with my sons. We tried dead bait, no joy. But had a few tiddlers in the float rod. Got them off the screens for a few hours enjoying their surroundings

So basically I stuffed up not going fishing today , but I could always lie , and say I was waiting for one of Kevs' super lows 😁

It doesn't always pan out no, however the biggest hits of fish I've experienced myself or witnessed for others were all on super low pressure systems, I only really get excited if it's proper low like 970's then it is ON no doubt. Slightly low pressure like 990's 1000 - nothing special IMO I can miss those sessions coz I know it's not gonna do anything or much at all - super lows are rare like a couple a year maybe - don't miss those 👍

This is why you invest in good waterproofs and warm layers, fishing is always about weather conditions - low pressure systems are the one, if I could be out now I would be. Further to Yonny's observation on his pond fish, my Dec trip to Bluebell Lakes last year coincided with low pressure stormy conditions, 30 odd fish came out Kingy in 36 hours and my mate rang to say 'it's on' coz my pond fish are crazy active.

I caught this one while it was absolutely chucking it down about this time last year, the downpour made me think I had no chance and was going to be on the end of a two night blank. Luckily this one ignored the script and I was happy to get a soaking. Packing up in the rain wasn't much fun though. But you won't catch em at home.

Been a long time since I've kept koi but if my memory serves me correctly gin rin refers to the sparkle look you get on some of the scales - the best type looking like cracked glass which is permanent. To me you've got a gin rin ogan, all types e.g showa etc can be gin rin, if the sparkle is there.

Is it safe to attach leadcore leaders/solid bags by looping it together? I'm tying them on at the moment but being able to loop solid bags on would make it easier lol

Yeah I always use loop to loop, never had an issue.

It is used to do it years ago

I'm getting keen to get the flips flops out again.

Does it ever even stop ??

Cant wait thanks. After last year's success, I fancy making it my winter go to this year.

After xmas imo 🎅

I'm quite lucky where I am mate, the river and canal hold some really good fish, although the river is on the decline because of otters and they haven't done any restocking, but they do keep stock the canal every few years. Love a bit of perch fishing too, 0.5g - 7g rod, dropshot setup on holes of weed 👍 I think we can get a bit caught up with the carp fishing and sometimes a change in species can make fishing enjoyable 👍 I'm back on the complex tonight and just done some photos for my mate on the other side with a 20lb linear 👌

No I'm not either, I am doing an overnighter Friday that's probably it for the month 😂 Well done Kev some absolute crackers and sounds like you got it sussed. Good observation on the spots too. It made me think how often I expected to catch more but hadn't. Not something I would usually even consider tbh 👍

Nice one Kev. It would have been so easy to sit behind the rods after your first fish and think you had it sussed. Had to laugh at the moaners, some people think that just because you've paid your money and travelled, you're bound to catch! Some of these lakes are highly pressured and the fish are wised up just as much as most of the circuit waters over here.

Well done getting off the vapes 👍 I'm a nightmare for them, puff on it more than I did with roll ups, used to rinse 2 - 3 disposables a day lol. Its a good reminder for me reading this to get off them as well.

not visited in a bit thought i'd pop in. been sorting my health out, gave up inhaling anything as advised no vaping has made a big difference basically i got that illness you can get from vaping means i'm using steroid inhalers for life going forward, very early COPD. i do feel a lot better than this time last year, just need to avoid chest infections to the point i got issued a rescue pack which consists as strong antibiotics and anti inflammatory pills to be used if i get a chest infection coming on. i could moan about no bad weather fishing trips but i have always been a summer only kind of guy 😀

I know mate I said the same 🤣 it's alright for him he works in a tackle shop so gets them cheaper but still kind of expensive in my eyes 🤣 Just gotta keep chipping away at it, keep searching for them. I've had 4 on the bank this year, had 3 with in a couple hours on one session lol. All to snowmen with like 10 baits over each rod. It works so I gotta stick with it and not chop/change when it gets hard lol. Maybe less bait as the year goes on. I dunno, feels like this canal has made my head fall off 🤣 @elmoputney my other mate feeds a lot of pellet, catches carp but gets done by a lot of bream, like 3 - 4 a night some times 🤣 Back down there for a walk later, then fishing tomorrow for the day, then probably back Friday afternoon through to Monday 👍

That's what I thought too, you could buy a sack of pellets for that.

That's an expensive way to feed the nuisance species!

Catching, now that's a whole different level

Use big pellets,you can get some nice 17mm Aller aqua bream chokers 😂

When i had the 6 carp in my pond I put a lily in the pond. Next morning the water was like a cup of tea. The carp had literally smashed the clay to bits that the lily was planted in. Even despite the pot being covered in pond grit and then larger pebbles. They just smash all plants to bits given the chance.

Lovely sized pond mate, I'd love one that size but I know they are pricey to build/maintain etc. Do you have the automatic self cleaning nexus. Looking forward to seeing a few pics of the fish. I've got a tiny 2 metre square pond by 900mm deep. I built it soley for goldfish originally but I did have 6 dinton carp in it once upon a time and believe it or not one of them grew to just shy of 10lb and the rest all over 5lb. Sadly they all died due to a freak accident. I've now got a few goldfish, one gold tench, 3 x carp that i grew from spawn in 2020 from my old lake, one of which is probably 6lb and 2 x koi that are knocking 7 or 8lb.They've out grown the pond really and i do need to upgrade mine really. Time and money holding me back at the moment. I've got a bog filter on my current one and boy do the plants grow in that, especially when I up the feed in spring. The first picture is after I built the bog filter. The next picture is after one month, second picture after 2 months and last picture after 5 months and cutting it all back after 4 months.

A question for the solid bag users; does it bother you that when you get done by mr carp (which IMO happens a hell of a lot) your original presentation is lost? I've used and caught on bags many times over the years but IMO once a pick-up is attempted and the carp aint hooked you're basically praying that the soft braided hook link is still presented as intended? It's really turned me off bags with pretty much any bait other than those you know the carp will nail themselves first time (maggots and worms etc....).