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And there's more things that really get me going, here's a selection; Dash cam footage of your 80 mile journey on the motorway speeded up 50 times so it looks like you travelled in hyperspace. Over plugging of your sponsors tackle. Yes, I know that they are "advertoriuls" and they help to offset the costs of a professional shoot and editing but sometimes subtle is better than "in your face." You caught a big fish so we're all going to chuck a bucket of water over you? What's that all about? Name dropping. I was fishing with "insert famous name" last week or you 'phone him and have a conversation on the bank about your latest capture and get a virtual slap on the back. It's bad enough with Biggins doing it all the time, we don't need (cough ahem), roughty toughty Carp anglers doing it as well. Go pro footage taken on your forehead and the rod resembles a banana! Endless banal chatter about nothing. The carp dog gets called "Pork Chop" and he gets his cotton socks blessed every 2 minutes! Sorry Leon. Don't get me started on Biscuit of the Week. Catch and Cook video's. Don't go there! Ditto Bow fishing video's.

As Title, I was so lucky this year Cyprinus magmatex sleeping bag (king-size to fit the bigbed) Ridgemonkey bivvy light Buzzer bar bag Bivvy table and cutlery set Fishing Log book Well happy merry Christmas all

I'm a self confessed addict to You Tube these days (have you seen how much drivel is on TV?) but am getting to the stage now where it does all seem a bit "samey" and getting a bit annoying. To be fair, most of the stuff on the ESP Site with Tel or Martin Bowler is usually highly watch able but some of the other stuff can be a bit predictable or you know you are being lied to. Here is some of my observations I don't want to put up with in 2020. 1. "Goodbye my luv" (kiss) as Carp slipped back. 2. "Best bait I've ever used" (hic), "pass me another Diamond White!" 3. People droning on and on about their latest session with Carp in arms gasping for air! For god's sake, take the hook out, quick piccie and then put the thing back ASAP. 4. "I'll put this one back and hopefully catch a bigger one....." 5. "Get in the net, get in the net...... Pukka!" 6. "I've just turned up at the lake and selected this swim........" Liar! The swim has been roped off and the Bailiff has been filling it in for days! 7. "We've been told that there are Carp in this lake but we don't know anything about the stock...." Liars! You've Googled the granny out of it for months and checked the Instagram page every day! I must have missed quite a few, any more offers?

Thanks will give it a try just saw some pink braid I quite liked the look of 😍😍😎😁

I use a 3lb tc g50 as my marker rod and it works fine, I can feel everything though the rod no problems, I have loaded my real with braid straight through no leader and a 3oz lead it work for me, so I think you should be fine with a 2.75lb tc.🎣🙂👍

Yes I use a fishing rod as a marker carry 3 even when only able to use 2 and make it up as a marker spare spool loaded with braid and a mark on the rod for a foot

I don’t want to hear the phrase "lovely times", and saying "go and tell your big sister" when releasing the fish makes me cringe to death.😖

The Ultimate 2.25 lb rods I got about 15 years ago were part of a cheap kit and probably not intended to work too hard (the reels didn't last). All fiberglass (not a shred of graphite) and because of our 1 rod rule I used the same rod most of the time. I wouldn't be surprised if it tested at 1.75 lb or less now, but for the close river swims where I never have to cast more than 10 to 25 yds I still like to use it. I suspect graphite rods aren't going to soften up to the same degree.

Your analogy about cats was spot on, Stevo. I got into one at Windmill Lakes, Cosse-en Champagne, this June. It lead me a merry dance for what seemed like an age until it eventually showed as 41lb8oz on the scales. Not the biggest in there but my current PB. Know what? I'll keep on using the rods. Ian.

Packed up and home now a couple of hours , rain eased when packing up but still everything is wet ,😰 the Army DPM, Gortex equivalent is absolutely 100% waterproof Final tally came to 4 Carp landed an 2 lost

B James MkIV Avon, Abu444a, loads of chocs A signed copy of Thunder's Greatest Hits cd 3 weird fish t shirts and 3 books including The Carp Strikes Back, by Rod Hutchinson

I've been fishing with sweet corn and boiled field corn for a while now. I'm interested in making my own boilies but am wondering if the fish will take them since it would be an unfamiliar food source.

They should; carp have receptors that allow them to sense any potential food source. When I first tried fishing with home-made boilies our wild carp were hitting them right away, and those were very crude boilies. Throw a few handfuls of boiled field corn out around where you'll put your hook bait to help draw them in. Welcome to the forum.