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My first visit to my new ticket. Took the kitchen sink with me as I had no idea about the lake. Few friendly lads gave me an idea of the lake and its stock (only 40 carp apparently) so I wondered around the lake aimlessly looking for a sign of life. 3 hours later I had picked a swim. Only to see a fish jump a few swims down so quickly moved the gear down and by midnight I was into my first match pit carp. 32.2lb. Chuffed to get one on the first night.

If you think you're overthinking it you're defo overthinking it mate. The key to getting your head round this is to know why you're changing something. There is no point changing from a blowback to a ronnie to a stiff D rig just because they are different. You end up changing so much that even if you do get a take you don't know which of the many changes you've made was the difference. Make sure you have a reason to make any changes. For example if the deck is super clean change to a bottom bait rig. If it's not use a pop up rig. If you see carp spooking off your line/leader change to fluoro etc. etc. Keep your eyes open and use what the fishing situation requires. The lake/fish will tell you what to do if you look hard enough. Apply logic and have a reason for every change. It is the quickest way to success.

Look a tad warmer where you are Elmo

I'm glad to say Alton Water has reopened again. Doing my first night on there since pike fishing. RH KMG still working, got woken up at midnight by a 15lb scamp

I did spend the day they opened walking the whole reservoir rather than fishing, then went down the next morning after reckoning some bubble shows in a particular area were carp. Nothing on the second night, maybe because I put some boilies in on top of them though.

Well I've managed to pull a crafty one. I recently brought a sack of crushed hemp so prepared that yesterday afternoon with a few tins of sweetcorn and chickpeas. Spodded 2 buckets onto 2 spots that were weeded up in a particular swim I feel the fish will end up in with coming weather conditions. My mate told me they were slicking up all morning. I had to wait in for a fresh batch of boilies so would have been down first thing. Only Just got in here though and rods out and the 2 spots that I could hardly feel the lead down on the other day are both going down clean and with a definitive thump. Just hope I'm not a day late. 🤞

I think seed is more effective for mass baiting out in the pond (mass baiting in the margin never seems to work for me, it's all about small handfuls/traps). For margin spots pellets are the one imo. Vitalin good for both. Correct, you cannot overdo molasses.

10lb, Hopefully something bigger to follow.

Not yet mate. I need to buy a life jacket first. Had a quick look online this week, not a lot of choice really and the ones I liked were out of stock 🙄. Or quite expensive 😳 this new venue is starting to cost a few quid. I'm just going to have to build up my kit over time.

That was a hot spell, the weather has many personalities today, there were hailstones at one point, its been mad the wind keeps changing direction, no wonder the fish can't find my bait 😂

Thanks mate. I'm chuffed to have found a new challenge /campaign for the foreseeable future.

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Thanks nick. I'm looking for features. I have joined with a good mate, so fishing the bays is possible but not covering a lot of water. The bays look good, there's a few overhangs by the car park bay, which doesn't look like many anglers bother with, but I may try to get a few baits in. As you suggested, I always believe fish will patrol the inlet areas at some point. So that is an easy acces, starting point in a couple of weeks if I don't manage to do the boat safety induction. I popped in today, fired out some bait. There is a lot of water to learn about!!

Hi Commonly. Sorry my fault. I should have listed my mods in a different order. Put the washer in first. Then, if you wish, put the inline insert into the lead passing through hole in washer. I much prefer inline leads because, in my experience, I get fewer occasions when the hook link tangles around the lead. Note that the insert will go through the hole in the washer and serves the extra bonus of preventing it coming loose if the fit of the washer in the lead is not tight enough. Interested to know how you get on. Bon chance.

Well that didn't take you long to get off the mark , Nick , that must give you confidence for the season ahead of you ? . 😃

Yeah I agree your right, I feel like I've tried to do so much learning and changing during lockdown ready to move onto bigger waters with bigger fish but then the sessions I've fit in since we've been allowed back on the bank just haven't gone well at all. I think based on the feedback I will persevere and move onto the new venues and see what happens

I think I'm overthinking a lot of my tackle at the minute as I've had a few blanks and a few hook pulls since changing things up. Like I say perhaps small fish causing the problems or even being ruled out due to the hook size