Pete Springate's Guns

Yeah, when knowledge is a dangerous thing and ignorance is bliss!

The real eye opener of course is using a boat to look at spots and features. I had a session a few years back which proved to be very interesting. I’d arrived late one Friday evening in early Summer after a particularly gruelling motorway journey. My chosen swim certainly contained fish but also lots of weed. Boats were allowed for dropping markers and baiting up but rigs had to be cast. Out in the boat with the H blocks I set about finding some spots near where the fish had been showing, around 110 yds. It was a jungle with only the tiniest (dinner plate sized) true clear spots. I dropped the blocks in those areas where the weed was shortest and scattered bait widely around each one. I’d been intending to fish my preferred lead clip set-up with a simple coated braid pop up but had to quickly re-tackle and use long running chods to sit over the weed. In truth I was not particularly happy doing so but it was by now nearly dark and it had taken the best part of 2 hours to get sorted. After casting each rod to their respective block, I quickly paddled out to check the presentation. Despite my best efforts I couldn’t find the right hand or middle rod for love nor money. But, purely by chance the left hand chod was sitting pretty on a hand sized sandy patch-you couldn’t have placed it better by hand! I paddled back secure in the knowledge that at least 1 rod was fishing for the night and in with a chance. In the next 24hrs I had 3 low 20’s from the right hand and middle rods. The ‘banker’ left hand rod didn’t produce a bite and when I paddled out at the end of the session to check, it was still in ‘perfect’ position and all the surrounding bait (pellets, chops, corn) had gone! Had I been able to present a bottom bait or wafter on that spot it just might have stood a chance, the chod was too blatant but the chances of hitting the spot again at that range was minimal.

I think this is a great starting point for discussion (if a little off topic!). We read so much about finding the hardest/cleanest/smoothest ‘spots within spots’ but I tend to agree with Yonny. Certainly this last year on St Ives’ Shallow Pit, the very cleanest areas never produced one bite for me. All my bites came from firm/hard spots that I could still feel the odd bit of weed or silt on. It got to the point that I would avoid really clear spots and actively seek out what I imagined to be ‘new’ spots being created.

No fishing for me I’m afraid-I think Dinton and St Ives might be pushing the ‘stay local’ advise since I’m in Cheshire. And its a blooming long way for a day trip🙄

Had loads on Brazils over the years fished as singles and over bait. They’re just another hookbait (albeit an exceptional one) any rig that presents appropriately will do. I’ve never added to their buoyancy or counterbalanced them. Occasionally, I’ll tip with corn but not necessary. Just shave and trim to desired shape and size😎

Might well be fashionable amongst some but its certainly not new. I remember fishing tips up with mega tight lines in the mid-late 80’s. The idea was to put the heavy fixed lead under maximum tension in order to improve the hooking efficiency. Worked too, the takes were amazing though occasionally all you got was a nod on the rod tip. Then we got obsessed with hiding the line with back leads and subsequently slack lines.....things do tend to go full circle.

Enjoyed it mate. Started on Lagoon, had a few but it was far too busy. Upgraded to the full ticket and spent my summer holidays on Shallow-top draw fishing👍Not been down for a while. Might re-join next year if my Dinton ticket doesn’t come up🙏Fancy a go on Meadow next👀

I’m binning my subscription after the Christmas giveaway. Like Yonny, I’m no fan of the new format. I’m not keen on helping to promote Shelley either. I see Pecky and Joe Morgan are moving into this market soon. Bumped into Joe a couple of times at St Ives over the summer. He comes across as a genuinely nice guy, I’ll probably give his new venture a whirl👍

Cheers fellas, I’ve ordered the NGT. Might treat myself to a proper cool box for next summer👍

As per the title. I’m looking for a cool bag which will accommodate food for 2/3 nights plus utensils, gas bottle and burner etc. Loads on the market so looking for reviews/recommendations.👍

I fished through the winter on Bundy’s pit around 10 years ago which has depths to 60ft. I caught fish down to 45ft and saw 1 caught from 55ft. Though I believe adjustable zigs are now successful.

This is the stuff-draws the moisture out of the baits, leaves them rock hard over a period of time👍

I tend to let a chod rig ‘drill in’. I only ever use them over weed or casting to showing fish in an area I’m not familiar with. Not much point in clipping-up; I won’t be ‘spot’ fishing and secondly they are pretty much tangle proof.

Agreed. Pre-baiting is a massive edge; particularly to those living locally. But holding down a full-time job, a family and a round trip of 280 miles means its not a tactic I can realistically apply!

Wondering, if the door and sides are rolled up, can the front be left on when packed away?🤔

Picked up a V2 Brolly with the front, quick sticks, groundsheet & pegs this afternoon-second hand but all in great nick. Looks just the job for me👍

Deffo need a front for year round use!

I’m considering a Tempest shelter but I’m a little overwhelmed with the options! There seem to be several versions of brolly and bivvy variations with infills, skull caps etc. I want something flexible enough for all year use and quick enough for a mobile approach. Second hand is fine-I don’t want to spend a fortune and I’m no tackle tart! Any members shed some light on this and recommend an appropriate model/version. Ta👍

4-4.5oz for most purposes on lead clips. If I’m chodding I’ll drop right down to 1oz if its castable.

I opted for the Gardner lead-clip which fit perfectly. Finished off with a Fox naked tail rubber, the result is very neat and streamlined👍

Wouldn’t worry about 4 or 5 mate, I’ve taken 20+ on occasion🤪

If its not bang on, recast till it is.

For fishing in soft silt I still use a lead clip but use an uncoated, soft braided hooklink. I almost always attach a pva bag of crushed boilie-adds attraction, prevents tangles and slows down hookbait decent into the silt. Never pull back!

Agreed. But surely too much flex must impact the security of the hookhold? i.e. a hook ‘opens’ momentarily due to a powerful, lunging fish and the hook slips/pulls?

That’s interesting. I do like the look of the Trigs. The shape and shank look great for wafters/balanced bottom baits but I do have my reservations about their strength-they appear quite light gauge for size/gape. Not actually used them yet-been using pop ups on hinges with my favourite Conti size 4s. Wouldn’t be happy to risk a ‘flexi’ hook in demanding conditions/big fish.