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Finally decided to start my river campaign only about 2yrs late! First night last night, one small carp seen cruising along the far reeds, another bigger fish breached and rolled mid channel and I got a few bream and a nice tench from under the bush to the top right of the shot. I spodded 3kg of hemp and 2kg of pellet just upstream and fished a 7 bait stringer over the top with about 50-60 boilies pulted around it. That was the middle rod sorted, the left hand was fished tight to the far reeds in 5ft of water with just a stringer attached. Right rod fished tight to the near margin on a 4ft shelf as a single, with a few broken boilies and a handful of 1mm & 2mm pellets over it. I was worried I’d over done the baiting/spodding on the middle rod, but it was the only one to have any liners or do any bites. Gonna be a challenge this venue, miles upon miles of wild water, an unknown stock of carp (a few come out along this stretch) plus limited and restricted stretches you can night fish stack the odds against me. I can only go to certain places, the carp can go anywhere they like! 🙄

Just looking back at some old pics, turns out my halo game is pretty strong.

First week back after spawning, new swim another blank, loads of liners as the fish moved accross the huge marginal plateau but the swans make it tricky to fish. Saturday morning they closed the bottom end of the lake as they were spawning again.

All dogs I've had go nuts as soon as the first tackle item comes out the cupboard, they know were off on an adventure 😎👍

I went to the little shop and bought some expanding pellets and a couple of these little bad boys, After being inspired by BB, I felt when I can find them cruising in the channels I can plop one of these in front of them and it might be deadly and let's be honest who the hell does that kind of thing on a syndicate lake 😏

Think I'll try the Solar one, spending is now justified as necessary research for the fellas! 🤣👍 Will let you know obvs

Yeah it's annoying but it can be replaced, unlike me irreplaceable 😂

I agree with the above. In summer, that period following a downpour seems to be the one. You really notice it on that odd occasion there's no wind, it's warm, the rain stops, and immediately you start to see fizzing all over the lake. It's a lovely sight.

Iv been working crazy lately last break was in early May the money is good but there’s always a price to pay and Iv not renewed my ticket. Got used to working 7 days a week and it’s become the norm should get back to normal hours at the end of the month Another reason for not renewing and the main reason is I haven’t been fishing with my buddy as he didn’t join the syndicate I plan to change that … so Iv booked us a couple of swims at Linear on B1 for a 48hr he don’t know yet, he’s had the all clear after having his pacemaker fitted and like I said to him we got to get him a 30 before his battery runs out.

Well that was chaotic, took a few attempts getting it all lined up correctly to auto cut the sausage etc 🤣🤣🤣 I've learnt a lot in the last hour, the machine is quick and I was not prepared for how quick the tray filled up with baits and getting them into the other trays before the next lot came out the machine 🤦‍♂️🤣 The machine came with a precut nozzle but will need to cut a new one for future use as the one it came with is producing dumbells at the moment lol Not a problem tho cos they will be going out by boat/spomb 👍 Been boiling them on the cooker until the first few float then putting them into trays to dry, but it's a slow process so gonna need to get a burco or maybe a fryer 🤔 Anyway I'm happy with it, just need to get a routine sorted and it will produce a lot of bait in no time 👍👍👍

Sky lies at the top of the stairs up to my flat while I take all the gear down and load the car, and is ready to get straight in while I do my last minute lock up checks.

To start with I just thought another set of buzz bars until I watched this vid now I am wanting some, something that always bugs me is I can't get my alarms to line up by using an insert and grub screw, ESP have got around this issue meaning you will always have perfectly straight alarms, that to me is a game changer. Not badly priced either and has optional extra goalpost adapters. I think I am sold 😂

Went to do a little trial run at the noddy pond this evening, pdid a couple of casts the groundbait sank a bit quick plopped one on a carps nose and it fed on the deck below . Then in the 3rd cast I stuck it up an overhanging branch and smashed it getting it out.i went back to fishing on the deck after that, I did catch 2 and lost one though, a small one about 3lb and a scraper double and lost one, so more work required lol but I got out for a couple of hours.

Well, I think that's the Day session gear sorted (unless I want a sling and some scales) Got some pegs from Halfords, Half Litre Fabsil. Spooled up the Float Rod, Washed and dried the Bivvy then gave a coat of Fabsil. Sorted the 1 Rod Carp Setup. Like this weekend I've been bored out my tree, SO...... got the gear to go this morning......NO LICENCE, couldn't be bothered fanny about so sorted all out so no dramas for next time.

Had a afternoon session on a general fishery with my mate, he picked me up from work and sort of kidnapped me 😇 I used his gear fishing off the top with floaters but they wasn’t interested one bit ..orrr so I thought 🤔 I found a floating feeder in his bag and mixed up some ground bait on the dry ish side, a small pebble inserted to give it a bit more weight and plugged off with the ground bait with a 12” hook length … and had 5 carp on the trot 😳 Heres a pic of his feeder or his mrs feeder …looks like he got it from a Ann Summers catalogue Korum got a small floating feeder I might give it a go when I’m at linear at the end of the month

I do like to take this with me though if I know I’m doing a lot of walking not sure why they stopped making them. Now though

i get to go fishing so rarely these days i would actually love a day in the rain listening to it and the odd sense of quiet it brings, as for catching though i tend to find i have done really well on my little water after a heavy downpour and often stayed longer than i planned as it has been productive.

If it makes you feel better about not going I'm happy to take the blame mate 😜

I mentioned the Solar chair last week (?) It got its first outing this week, and I like it! It is not as low as I was expecting and the extending legs are good. Get the back level, and to extend the legs, push the button and they automatically extend to full. I've put full weight on it, on uneven ground, and the legs stay in place. The added head rest cushion, attached by a locking strap is a nice touch, although I've taken it off.

I wish I had taken a photo now, just to prove you can catch without getting a spirit level out 😂 Funny thing happened, I've got my kit down to a minimum for these places and short sessions now, just a mat, with tackle box in, a bucket and my rod bag for my 9fters. I saw a bloke packing his car as I was walking back. I chucked my bits in the car, went to the toilet, washed my hands and he still had all of his stuff and his barrow(tri Porter big boy) in a big heap, he looked perplexed, he had literally everything with him and I'm guessing it all had to be loaded in a certain order, I felt proud of myself as I drove off with my minimal kit, my wife had made a nice curry,and I'd probably eaten that before he had driven out the gate 😂

Ah , I've missed seeing Super Dog , not so much Highy . 😁

May have picked up a golden oldie.... Angling Intelligence Airfame Bivvy

https://www.petsathome.com/product/happy-little-bird-wild-bird-seed/7135960P?productId=7135960&purchaseType=one-time&weight=12.55kg Just bought 25kg of spod mix which should give me 50kg of cooked bait for less than £13, result! No Carp tax for me!

First trip out using the chair, seems pretty light but obvs not as light as my other. Pack down it's wide so takes up room in the car but fitted on the barrow behind the bed. Bars cross over when packed down would be better if all these chairs folded flatter and smaller. Comfy in use on the bed, you dont feel the bar underneath which was my initial concern, also comfy on the bank using the lowest back bar for a low rider style option or thicker one for more upright. Nice having back adjustment, pretty happy with it tbh.

Didn't want to miss the England game... Not the best game, but we got through. I didn't catch though... Got to be in it to win it.

Picture the 3 of us together shaking our heads and pointing at you 🤣 Poorly toe, bit of rain - not very Terry Hearn is it? 🤣😎👍

If you go carp fishing and catch a 7lb tench have you blanked? Catching other species while carp fishing has put me onto some proper specimens of other species. Catching 10lb bream on carp gear put me onto some big bream, so next session the carp rods stayed at home and I caught 12lb bream. Catching 7lb tench on my carp gear meant I switched tactics and fished for tench and caught a 12lb tench. Carp fishing has also shown me where 2lb roach are, even waters with worthwhile pike. Carp anglers are too snobby, sadly many have no respect for other species.

Just done 48 hours and struggled. The high temperature on Wednesday made them spawn again. Most of Thursday they were "sunning" in the shallows and not interested. I did catch one during the night. I did have a bit of excitement when I sent the boat out and dropped the rig. I started bringing the boat bait and noticed that line was still coming off the spool. Sometimes the rig gets caught up and thought that was what had happened but the line was coming off the spool at twice the rate of the boat! I struck and was in, one of the fastest bites ever. The fight was pretty strong and though I'd got one of the really big lumps but just before it went into the net, I noticed it was hooked in the tail! I did weigh it at 23-13 and did a mat photo but not claiming it.

A few hounds caught last night and a tope pup. This was the best hound and my best this year.

That's what I need to enhance my Halo 😇

Sounds like a plan 👍 You could also swap over to a floater bait if the sinking bait isn’t working

Received the two floating feeders from flea bay today…the floating pellet's are Sticky baits in 11mm and 6mm that’s what I can get inside the bigger feeder still allowing to plug it with ground bait

Isn’t the r6 for the 6ft r9 for the 9 foot and so on I could be total lay wrong but it would make sense to be set up like that edit just checked yep r9 Is the one for the 9 footers

Been helping out my local tackle shop with their bank balance, because I’m nice 😇 Trakker tempest skull cap and groundsheet with Advanta storm poles Bait and a reel to replace an old Nash Dwarf BP 6 which has sadly bit the dust.

The Company/Factory have now accepted liability, but there insurance have asked to look at the investigation. They have (unofficially) asked if I would take "A few Thousand" to not go through proceedings....errrrm NOPE. So Far.......Solicitors are negotiating for 6months salary (£13,200) they take 25% of final settlement (£3,000)....so could be a good final figure for myself 🤞🤞🤞🤞 I've had numerous meetings with the Managers, all stating how unprofessional the situation has been, now just need bloods again in September and wait for results.

Hero!😆

I've never struggled with that lol 🤣

I'm sure they've got it right - only one way to tell I think will buy and report back or get the one Elmo pointed out if I can find cheaper. 👍

I will let you guys know how it performs, also got a cheap spomb and some pullers and baiting needles. Seems like a bargain but probs utter rubbish 🤣🤣

I can just picture Yonny shaking his head in disbelief ; Yonny due to family commitments can't go fishing , and I'm handed perfect conditions , and then I bottle it ! . Lesson learned then chaps . I did have a poorly toe that I thought I would rest ; now it's Nick's turn to shake his head as he still battles on with all his health problems . 😔

I wish that happened Saturday morning. I'd checked the forecast and was aiming to pack up between 11 and 12 once the rain stopped, only it didn't... I ended up reeling in, putting my rods in the sling then going to get the car and pack everything away and straight into the car leaving the bivvy until last. The only good thing is I hadn't used the full groundsheet just the front.

I hate you , Yonny ! . 😁

Sorry I mean a weekend camping 🤣🤣

The aniseed is the only bit I'm keen on, love the smell - dont use particle much at all tbh but when I have I've caught and I put that down partly to the aniseed lol 👍😎

£10.00 for three bags of whole king prawn with the shells on, cracking bait mate, the amount of blood that comes out these is unreal.

humans tend to sleep lol i found they do go feeding mad but not straight after.

Nice hound mate. I had my pb Friday night at 11lb 06oz and as you say the power difference with a double figure hound is something else compared to a single and the singles are like torpedoes.

The location/depth of the fish will be determined largely by the conditions on the day mate. If I had to choose I personally would stick to the shallower areas. High chance of decent warm sunny conditions in July. I can't recall seeing fish moving consistently to deeper areas after spawning in 25 years of carp angling. They go where they're comfortable and where the food is imo.