Happens alot on commercials, but if they blank and you catch on another spot, it feels great.... Or "Accidentally" trip over his bait bucket, fish the margin tomorrow lol...
Floating bread/dog biscuits are always worth a go on moving water imo, and liquidized bread/sloppy mix going in (same as boat waste) ....I live very close to GUC Northampton, seen loads of carp first light cycling to/from work.
Fair play to you lads.. I've always fancied pike fishing but never confident enough to unhook them , so dont bother trying. Caught a few by accident, great fight. Getting spiked by perch is enough for me..Saw a guy land a 28lb from the GUC last year.