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Nothing ventured nothing gained, one thing is for sure, you won't catch anything at home. Even if I just end up prepping all winter at least I've been out and enjoyed winter

Pre bait, then fish singles or stringers mate, maybe even paste around your bait. I'm just sitting in front of my brolly right now, watching and listening. Coffee in one hand, kangertech in the other

I quite fancy a centre pin for my float fishing.

Anyone routinely sharpen their own hooks? Before or during a session? Just picked up a kit and had a play with some fox and some Korda hooks. It's ridiculous how sharp you can get a hook compared to how it comes out of the packet! Admittedly the point won't last as long, but it won't take long to give each hook a few passes every 12/24 hours or so. Fresh and twice as sharp each chuck. May be reluctant to go stupid sharp if the hook is likely to be on the deck over a gravel bottom. Can see the point turning over a lot easier. Any other time though mine will now be going out pin sharp! Time will tell if it converts more pickups into runs.

dont know if anyone would be interested but!!! http://www.sportsdirect.com/flash-sale-six be ok for someone on a budget

Day tickets are available too on St Ives aren't they CM? I'm itching to give that venue a year for the carp. Few winter walk rounds with a pike rod could be a good intro!

Feels a bit awkward to start with, but you soon get the hang of it. Don't overload it with line, 100metres is absolute tops For stick float fishing go with 4 or 5lb, and let the float do the work, your right thumb on your rod holding hand is there to slow it down as it trots down in the current. You can even retrieve right handed as well. The big debate is line from the top or bottom of the spool, you'll find what works best for you.

Marco Cortesi if it's still available from Dragon Carp, or TFG Classic centre pin around £54. I do love stick float fishing with a centre pin, so much control.

4oz steve I'm not thinking as short term as winter, this is all prep for next year, and yes, I've seen more fish here than anywhere or anyone else. A lot are asleep by 9, I'm up listening

Cheers muft I've just gotten all that bait out, just having a quick vape while these soak

Put it this way, I currently only use Kryston Meltdown PVA for string, ESP for bags, and Fox Mesh. Their claims are correct, not all of the others are. In fact sad to say, after an incident with Nash PVA I will never use that brand again. I left a packet of bags in my trouser pocket as they went through the washing machine on a 40 degree wash. The bag at the end had water in, the PVA was still undissolved. I did used to use Mo's co PVA, but sadly he stopped trading, and obviously now I work in a tackle shop I get my PVA at staff price, not rrp, so have no need to go via T'internet.

PVA dissolve time definitely slows down as the temperature drops Which is why all brands need to be tested to check dissolve times in summer and winter. In fact each batch of PVA is different, so a test from each mesh, spool or bag should be tested.

I have the pro+ version and it beats a smart cast hands down. Mapped a 7 acre lake off a boat in 20minutes! Now have a depth map saved on my phone.

316 stainless would last longer

Haha should put a sock on your pod or is ot a tie .. tight lines dave

Now that temp has come down, it's all about liquids and stodge now