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I have fished enough unfished lakes in my time, originally I used naturals [1970s,] then particles including corn[1980s-1990s] now I go all out big 22mm sturgeon pellet and or boilies. I genuinely believe I have wasted a lot of time chasing carp with so so baits, when I should have been using great baits.

Every fish is worth a smile, a 5 is worth an ear to ear goofy grin.😉😖😆

It's good to see you with a big smile on your face , Nick , why it's almost a Smufter goofy grin . 😁

There’s a water I fish that would be a decent rig,cheers mate 😬😎🎣

This was good viewing too. I liked the presentation of the hook, not so sure I'd use maggots, as I only seem to catch small perch,. I hope Nige will like the product plug.

Never be in too much of a hurry to catch bigger fish. Learn to enjoy what you have, and learn your waters and fishing. Learn how to handle fish, learn different methods, how to use PVA Mesh, bags and stringers. Experiment with baits, particles, boilies, until no matter what you can catch on any method more than those around you. Learn how to bait up with spod, PVA, catapult or throwing stick. Learn the features that carp like, the snags, weeds, rushes, gravel, or troughs. Learn how to find features, a marker rod and float, or just counting the depth down, so when you do go somewhere harder you can do it quickly with least disturbance. I started carp fishing in 1986, it took until 1992 to catch my first 20. Those years, and the lake I had that 20 from was the only carp of the year. I went back to my 'easier' waters to regularly catch, and strangely enough, I had a 20lb carp out of there in the end. I really don't want to pee on your fireworks, but with bigger fish, be prepared for blanks, it is not as easy as 'just catching'. I have a mate who fishes as much as me, who probably catches more than I do, but his largest fish is only 17lb, he just doesn't want to sit blanking, and wants to catch.

I took some persuading with the heat, Big Dave convinced me, so I was back on the chub hunt yesterday evening, my basic favourite method of a freelined dog biscuit. We walked along the river with the dog, one rod between us, taking turns at the fish. In the first swim he had one chub from a brick wall above the river which I had to climb down to net, I reckon around 2lb, just a quick photo in the net. We walked the whole stretch, looking for fish, casting in a few swims and then back to the car. I spotted a few fish, but had to do a bit of jungle stalking, climbing through brambles and nettles, opposite 'nice lady's' house, and as I did Dave realised we had left a baiting needle downstream on a bend and went to get it with Sky, so I rerigged with a Uni-knot holding a big Bakers Meaty chunk on the size 8 hook on 5lb Reflo hooklink tied to 6lb mainline. A cast to work out the current, then another to get the biscuit in the right flow, result was a good chub. As he came back I heard him talking to Sky, telling her I would probably be waiting with a fish in the net, which "knowing Nick is the biggest around". I needed his help to take the rod while I lifted net and fish over the bankside snags. When we weighed the fish it was a healthy 5lb. I've not seen a chub that big from the Gipping for a few years!

Dooh! You know I'm bad with names yonny, not nash fox! 🙄

This is interesting

I don't use zigs very often but know that I should! If you want to learn, watch this Video that tells you all you need to know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRS_SbTr9Zg&feature=youtu.be

2 hours, time for A bit of jungle stalking with freelined dog biscuits for a couple of 3lb chub

Oh well. Managed to scald my right hand the other day on a kettle. Won't be dipping this one in the lake that's for sure.....