Pete Springate's Guns

Cheers mate, hope to bump into you👍Looking at the Lagoon and possibly Meadows/Fjords for school summer holidays🤞🏻

Yeah, I’ll be travelling from Cheshire so either straight down M6 or possibly across A50 to M1/A1👍

I’ll be joining St Ives for the season ahead and I’ve not travelled along the A14 for some years. What’s with the changes/improvements that have/are being carried out?

For self-takes I’m still happy using a bulb release with my old Nikon D40 (35mm Lens)😬Tempting to upgrade but there always seems to be an unexpected bill round the corner. My session this week never happened due to me driving into some flood water in the middle of rural Shropshire. Result was a garage bill just shy of £600😳

My thoughts exactly. Can’t remember the last time I had a tangle with a lead clip set up. Helis for Stiff links and chods (obs) but I’m not so keen on them for coated braid rigs.

Personally, I’d stick with a Fishmeal based bait as others have recommended. Premier, ABS, Rollinbaits, Trent baits, DNA etc will all catch you loads👍 I think we’re all guilty of overthinking it at times-paralysis by analysis. Trouble at this time of year is that results can be patchy at best and confidence comes from getting action. Don’t beat yourself up before you start.

I really do like this combination-simply strip a bit and add a shot for a pop-up or without for a wafter. They really flip and grab if thats your thing👍😉

Size 5 Trig with Large Korda D Kicker tied to ESP Tungsten Loaded Semi Stiff. Going to order some of the large JPrecision versions for comparison👍

I had a dabble on one of the ponds (with Simons permission) they were blooming tricky on there too! The beauty of Dinton for me was summed up by Fat Al; ‘You never know what the next bite will be, could be 15 or 50’👍

Great thread, Yonny👏. Like you, I’ve been sharpening my own for around 10 years. Its addictive and I can’t imagine casting out an unsharpened hook ever again. My Vallorbe jewellers file is an essential tackle box item. I like the candle idea for treating the point👍

Probs Lagoon; had a look at it a few years back and it looks more manageable for weekends. For school holidays (Im a teacher) might be tempted by Meadows/Fjords👍

Black. I fished both (mainly Black) on the Gold ticket but had to drop out this year; just couldn’t justify £1200 together with travel costs etc. So I’m waiting on a Black only ticket now. So many good ‘uns coming through all the time, a testament to Simon’s management👍

Cheshire, so its pretty much the same driving time!

Re-joining a club for some local fishing. Desperately want to get back in to Dinton but realistically it will be another year at least. Still considering other syndicate options, probably either St Ives or Northey Park.

Thanks mate, confirms what I thought. My ‘resolution’ this year is to become more ‘Carper’ and less ‘Camper’😉and weight reduction is part of that commitment. Going through my kit, I’ve been amazed at the amount of surplus ‘stuff’ I’ve accumulated! Bags within bags for God’s sake!!

In the interests of lightning up I’m looking to ditch my stainless bankstick and buzz bar set up in favour of JAG Prolite combination. Its not cheap and I’ve not had chance to see it in the flesh as it were. Any feedback on the quality, strength and longevity?

I received a copy of Adam Penning’s book, ‘Rolling in the Deep’. Wasn’t sure what to expect and I’m quite choosy about fishing books. I’m just over half way through and thoroughly enjoying it. I agree regarding ‘Fine Lines’. Not a patch on ‘Obsession‘ or ‘Flick...’. Like Yonny I found the enjoyment diminished due to the exposure of vlogs. I was interested to read his chapters on Dinton’s Black Swan lake since I joined the year the book came out. The water has changed a lot since Dave’s time and so have the version of events in some of his stories.....

All the very best, everybody👍

Yeah, I bought a few pots of the S2s at the beginning of the year for my spring fishing but a combination of circumstances has written off this season so far!

Yes, I can follow your reasoning. Certainly in my experience the PJPUs are very good as singles in isolation and particularly so if they need to be out for a long time and whacked out at extreme range. Where do you place the likes of the S2-to me they are an out and out attractor bait in cork ball/chip format. Though not as resistant or as buoyant as the PJPUs.

That’s interesting, Yonny. Do you use Corkballs and or standard airballs in specific situations? Singles? Over particles, in Bags?

I’ve used a few over the years. Plum has been reliable too-usually as a topper/snowman with fishmeals. The only one I failed with is the Nutty Maple. Oh and the Black Beauties were great on a water where foam zigs were banned😉

Which is your go to pjpu? My favourite is the Cream Special. I’ve heard good reports of his Tutti in the winter but I’ve never tried it.

Can vouch for the Mulberry version-caught me some good ‘uns. Reliably buoyant and resilient👍

Done🤞🏻