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So I took a few weeks and I havnt missed carp fishing at all, but I was really missing catching perch so I went out for a few hours this morning and had one of about 1lb -1lb and 4oz I dont really pay that much attention to weight but I'm got the buzz back well for perch anyway.

Well in mate. I don’t think I’ve ever lost the buzz of fishing but there’s no way I could just carp fish exclusively,I know some do but it’s just not me. Had this fella this morning and I’ll probably be river and silver fishing for the next few months before my carp head gets back on. Well done and glad your enjoying your fishing,mate. 😬😎🎣

Well these Pallatrax Gripz seem to be fine, and I have no qualms whatsoever about using them in France. Seriously, (and I do mean seriously), sharp straight out of the packet and they stay sharp. I've used them on my last 3 sessions, have lost two fish but that was definitely not down to the hooks, and landed one. Felt very confident playing all three, and on the one that was landed the hook came out very easily when the fish was in the net. Using the size 4's and they are not as big as some other size 4's I've tried. Highly recommended.

This is interesting

Keeping it varied makes a lot of sense, I definitely over saturated myself with carp fishing, the break did me good for sure and I've started rock climbing now aswell so between the two I and go what I love which is be outdoors and kept it varied

The green candy floss is our enemy mate.

I've recently done a week at Windmill Lakes, Cosse en Champagne, France. I caught 251lbs of carp. ALL on Pallatrax Gripz in size 4. I'd be glad to commend these hooks anyone interested. Ian.

That looks like a 'pulled out' bend on the point rather than a bang against the lead bend. Do you have swan mussels in the lake? It may be quite a large branch you caught up on though. I have brands of hooks I trust, Gardner Muggas, Gamakatsu, Solar 101's and Kamasan B175's. Unless I have tested the hooks to destruction I will not use it in a fishing situation, and even then, I tend to test them on a 'small fish' water before using them for big carp. I want to know at what point it will bend or break. I check the point each cast and as said, it doesn't take much to 'ding' a point on gravel or a snag, even a crayfish can blunt the point if you manage to stick the hook in claw or shell, but those ones I mentioned really do hold their own better than others.

Because one took me into the pads. Steve (the Bailiff) boated out to help release it, but it was well in there. Second one the hooklink snapped at the knot. But the hook hold up until then was fine. Absolutely no mouth damage mate. Not a mark

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

Honestly, I'm no that fussy when it comes to zigs mate. I will use big hooks though (normally a 6). Any old wide gape or curve shank jobby will do, I've even used chod hooks. As long as they're needle sharp I don't think it matters, I don't think mechanics are anywhere near as important with zigs. I always add a tiny bit of silicon to hold the gape open though.

Spoke to Paul at ABS yesterday, he is putting just a smidgen of preserver in them to be on the safe side and they are being dispatched to arrive here on the Thursday, two days before the off. Haven't got room in the freezer for them, so will keep them in the coolest place I can find and freeze them the minute I get to the lake. I've absolutely no doubt they'll be fine. Our only wish now is that the temperatures out there drop a little from their records highs at the moment. Don't fancy sitting out there in mid 30's temps. although I'm not planning on having the rods out during the heat of the day so as to rest the swim. Really looking forward to this one......👍

Schoolboy error my friend!!!! Agree.

Someone once said.... The More I practice The Luckier I Get.... 😎

That looks like a proper scary one I would have done a little poo I think

a couple of years back I lost the urge.... I'd pretty much stopped match and Pike fishing and I really was having a hard time finding the motivation to fish for anything.... Probably a fallout from losing my Mum and having to sort her affairs and a bit of ill health were the main causes.... I found an interest in vintage tackle and for some reason it struck a chord with me... fishing as I did when I was a nipper. Now I dabble with one rod or pole and fish when I want how I want... I still have my carbon and baitrunners but I derive more pleasure using old gear these days.... perhaps approaching your fishing from a different angle may rekindle your enthusiasm....???

No pictures but I had my first carp since November today. In fact I had two during a few hours stalking with bread crust. Nothing beat watching a carp suck down a bit of crust in the middle of a reedbed. Two proper nice dark commons, both single figures have now been liberated from the small lake and in to the river to give them a chance of surging a bit longer from the otter.