Brutus

Blimey, that sounds wierd.
the boiler suit and someone walking about foolishly I’d almost expect. The silence and the look back. Wow, I’m not surprised you didn’t feel right. Not about having the Higgins and pretending, that’s wierd.
 
went back to the lake and had a session. Luckily wasn’t alone. Another weirdo turned up “thought he was the only one here” wanted a chat and to borrow weights but didn’t know what sort as he’s just started out. I had my torch at eye level and didn’t take it out of his eyes. This was at midnight. I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking you don’t go disturbing people at midnight. 

As the title says, what’s been your scariest moment carping?
 
Today, whilst fishing, I experienced someone hiding behind the trees and heavy breathing, this was at night time. I shone my head torch on for what ever it was to run off.
packed up most of my gear in two minutes flat and then I get a run on the rod that was out.
quickest landing, unhooking and pop back I’ve ever encountered. Plus sides, I’ve obviously still got it. I also didn’t blank...
 
So what are your tales?

As the title says, what’s been your scariest moment carping?
 
Today, whilst fishing, I experienced someone hiding behind the trees and heavy breathing, this was at night time. I shone my head torch on for what ever it was to run off.
packed up most of my gear in two minutes flat and then I get a run on the rod that was out.
quickest landing, unhooking and pop back I’ve ever encountered. Plus sides, I’ve obviously still got it. I also didn’t blank...
 
So what are your tales?

Could always try baiting a few likely areas with some pellet/hemp/maize - get the carp to make a firm spot that they associate with feed?

Could always try baiting a few likely areas with some pellet/hemp/maize - get the carp to make a firm spot that they associate with feed?

No matter what anyone thinks of Korda, those vids were a revelation.
I don't think any of us realised just how frequently we get done. Fact is we're likely getting stitched up numerous times before we get a take. It was these vids that taught us just how important it is to have a rig that can reset itself. That alone makes watching the vids invaluable imo.

Wow, some good feedback on here. Sorry i've been quiet, cursed with work!
 
funny enough, i never used Boilies or anything of that ilk up until 3 years ago. Hated them, maize was my preferred bait. It wasn't so much the boilie, but this ethos that I had to spend 8-15 quid and lob loads out - now I know a lot better (still loads to learn) and tend to favor little and often, using pellets, hemp, corn and crumbed offerings of what I fish. Goes a lot further, call me a skinflint but I don't want to be tipping 2/3 kilos of bait into a lake every session. I rather a couple of handfulls of bait to get fish in the area and get a bite that way. But that's just me.

I read with interest the notion of using heavy leads in the margins on running rigs.... As an Old School lad, I often (more often than not) freeline in the margins, or sometimes use a small  lump of plasticine, or a couple of swan shot and fish slack lines and just watch the line where it enters the water... (no alarms or bobbins) now, that method may upset a few of the modern lads, (I can hear the cries of anguish even as I type....🤣) but it's accounted for quite a few carp for me... I suppose that everyone has their own method of catching, or different variations on a theme, but I have often found that if the accepted method is 'A' then I'll try 'Z' as (to my mind) if the fish get used to seeing a big lead (running or lead-clipped) and a boilie, they'll take a nice prawn or a trio of cockles or a couple of sultana's... Everyone has their own way of doing things and a lad I often fish with is always laughing at my methods, but the laughing stops when I put one in the net.... and if it gets him thinking then I'm happy...
For fishing out of the margins, I  use ultra light leads... (just enough to get the rig into place) for me it's a confidence thing I have seen a carp "Do Me" using a heavier lead and Jed Kent (whom I met a couple of years back) advocated ultra light running leads... I have refined that to my own preferences and use 1.5 oz Avid  flat  in-line leads  or Guru 1/3 or 2/3 ounce in lines and short method style hooklinks with small baits... often not on hairs... I suppose it's a case of something I was once told....
The Unorthodox Plus Perseverance Equals Results...
Give it a go👍😉😎 

I’m not talking about sharing any secrets here, be as vague as you like. But in the last year, I seem to favour wafters for all of my fishing.
either oddities like flouro coloured barrels. Or, simple fish based conventional shapes. I don’t know if it’s coincedence but it has helped sort out the fish for me and this year I’ve caught a personal best and one not far off in the same session - so I have reason to have faith.
what about you lot?

Pop Ups , preferably white so they stand out over the black decaying leaves , I've not caught many with pink ; I like the idea that my hook is " cocked " already positioned ready to hopefully hook a Carp , rather than have to have it spin to take hold .
Also I want my presentation to reset .
I must try dumbells more , for the reason Gaz. gives .
😀

Congrats on the pb mate...…
I like large, heavy baits atm.... 18mm or 16 x 20 mm dumbells…. Been fishing a lot of clean gravelly spots. I believe these gravel feeders will suck and blow that bit harder in order to dislodge stones and get to any naturals..... If I think I'm getting done, then a 10mm length of cork stick used as a hair stop is my tweak, to hopefully aid the bait flying in easier..... Been trying to keep things very low key on the deck, no bright colours or glugs or flavours, just large, dark , HNV baits..... Been averaging a fish a night, not the hardest water in the world, but I'll take that...

Think personally you need to learn to respect everyone😉
 
If it wasn't for anglers like Kevin Maddocks and Rod Hutchinson, Richard Walker you wouldn't have carp fishing as you know it now.

Far too many, but that's in my mind what makes it fun. Getting the little percentages right.
Got down there but fished the other end of the lake which hasn't been where we've ever wet a line if I'm honest. Full of debris/silt - so a completely different beast to the firmer areas we were fishing.
Long story short: 
Running rig this time - two knocks, odd beeps here n there. balanced bait 1.
Inline fixed lead, received far more attention - did the old tag end trick, wasn't getting done despite the beeps. Did end up hooking into something that gave a very odd run, didn't land it but did have a 50p sized scale for my troubles. So obviously a foul hook or an unfortunate grab once the hook was free. balanced bait 2.
This actually told me loads - previously I've fished with both baits down there, had success on both but one stands out more by a mile. This was on the inline lead - I wanted to prove that these fish weren't as shy of the lead as i'd initially thought and that I need more effort into the rig, by that, presentation and operation of hook flipping - taking into account substrates.
Feels like i've gone full circle, but going to give helis or chods another try on 1.1/1.5 oz weights, get that presentation just right. All else fails, I know that running rigs produce the goods and are very hassle free.
 
Appreciate all the idea on here guys. thanks once again.

Glad to be here - been a bit busy lately so not as frequent.
Originally Croydon, now Sussex based.
Nah, all about the love me. Can't be dealing with arguing online. Debate, yes, argue - not for me.

I was mortified when I realized how many times I'd got done after an odd bleep, so many variables 

Afternoon All,
Just to give you a little update - didn't try the lake I originally fished but did try another that's equally as pressured.
Running rigs, loads of beeps - shed loads.
One two beeps max, bobbin either moves an inch, stays stagnant, drops an inch. Or, two successive beeps with the bobbin rising then obviously a drop. too quick to hit unless your onto of the rods really.
Switched it over to inline, semi fixed. inline setup. 1.5oz inline.
Used the line tactic - indications fell by 75% still got the bleeps, reeled in - getting done. tag was out. Each and every time. but nothing to suggest that these were merely more than liners on my side. hindsight it's frustrating but long term there's something that obviously needs tuning - which will ultimately lead to reward in fish and or knowledge. Rigs were standard 6/8 size hooks, coated hooklink - nothing complicated, 5mm gap between bait and hook bend, hook point covered with pva tube of small pellet. nothing crazy but nothing complicated.
Agian, fishing semi slack.
Going again this weekend, going to try upping the lead size. 2 - 2.5oz. On inline.
One rod I'll stick to what has given me results, the running rig. Makes no sense taking away what has given me results. Just a slightly shorter hook link for me on that rod.
I'll update you after this weekend, for anyone that's interested.
 

Hi and welcome Brutus, it was nice to read that you served an angling apprenticeship, instead of jumping straight into carp angling. In my experience, the graduated carp anglers seem the most proficient. I’d say that also applies to pike fishing too, as getting used to handling bigger species is important.
Anyway, welcome to yoo 👍🏻

Time dependent I soak mine for 24-48 hours, boil in the same soaked in water for half hour or until the maize starts to split, take off the boil and leave to cool down on the cooker.
I've had success with then adding some sainsburies rum flavor to the maize. not loads about half a small bottle per kg and mixing it up, placing in a bag, blow up the bag with maize inside, then let it ferment in a warmish place for a day or two - occasionally check for mould and let out old air and re blow up. Once fermenting is done - I divide up and freeze.
Also had success with boiling maize the night before and taking it in a tub with the water i boiled in with no salt or sugar.
Had great success with adding salt/chilli/sugar and various combinations.
Top, top bait imo.
If i'm being honest, 200g a session would be plenty, sifting through the better kernels to use on the hook - the grain is so tough it withstands all sorts of punishment. The rest mixed in with corn/hemp/bread crumb/groundbait mix and I think you'll have a decent spod/groundbait mix that will attract most fish.
 
TLDR: Maise is a top bait - doesn't matter how its prepared or any additives.

Time dependent I soak mine for 24-48 hours, boil in the same soaked in water for half hour or until the maize starts to split, take off the boil and leave to cool down on the cooker.
I've had success with then adding some sainsburies rum flavor to the maize. not loads about half a small bottle per kg and mixing it up, placing in a bag, blow up the bag with maize inside, then let it ferment in a warmish place for a day or two - occasionally check for mould and let out old air and re blow up. Once fermenting is done - I divide up and freeze.
Also had success with boiling maize the night before and taking it in a tub with the water i boiled in with no salt or sugar.
Had great success with adding salt/chilli/sugar and various combinations.
Top, top bait imo.
If i'm being honest, 200g a session would be plenty, sifting through the better kernels to use on the hook - the grain is so tough it withstands all sorts of punishment. The rest mixed in with corn/hemp/bread crumb/groundbait mix and I think you'll have a decent spod/groundbait mix that will attract most fish.
 
TLDR: Maise is a top bait - doesn't matter how its prepared or any additives.

Time dependent I soak mine for 24-48 hours, boil in the same soaked in water for half hour or until the maize starts to split, take off the boil and leave to cool down on the cooker.
I've had success with then adding some sainsburies rum flavor to the maize. not loads about half a small bottle per kg and mixing it up, placing in a bag, blow up the bag with maize inside, then let it ferment in a warmish place for a day or two - occasionally check for mould and let out old air and re blow up. Once fermenting is done - I divide up and freeze.
Also had success with boiling maize the night before and taking it in a tub with the water i boiled in with no salt or sugar.
Had great success with adding salt/chilli/sugar and various combinations.
Top, top bait imo.
If i'm being honest, 200g a session would be plenty, sifting through the better kernels to use on the hook - the grain is so tough it withstands all sorts of punishment. The rest mixed in with corn/hemp/bread crumb/groundbait mix and I think you'll have a decent spod/groundbait mix that will attract most fish.
 
TLDR: Maise is a top bait - doesn't matter how its prepared or any additives.

I would buy my own and then you can boil as little as you like and it's dirt cheap. 

My biggest leads (5oz) I only use in the margin, under the tips. Weight is not necessarily just for casting imo bud.

This is where I'm probably feeling most comfortable, if I'm not using a heli rig.. You still have some resistance to help the hook stick, but the lead can move away from the fish on a take, initially, 
Not sure if you've read it yet @Brutus, but there is a rotary thread on lead set ups, very informative opening post from @greekskii and some good tips on the follow up posts..... I found it very useful for a few pointers. Worth a read if you haven't already. 🙂

Lol, nah a nickname I have. But I got called it all throughout my childhood.
i do love the carp, but I also love my pike, my perch and float fishing in general. Never been river fishing properly, looking to go in the autumn time on a small slow flowing river near me. Get some float sessions on the go, maybe even a bit of spinning for the pike, who knows. What ever takes my fancy really.
10 hours if it’s a day, usually 12 if it involves a night. Mostly though, after work sessions no more than 3 or 4 hours if the light permits. Quick and dirty, get to test things out - use your brain and try to maximise your chances of a hook up. If your there for a day or two, I find I get mentally lazy and settle into this “that’ll do” mode where I’m kind of half fishing. Rods out, baiting up but not really thinking what’s happening, am I on fish - what can I see in front of me, shall I bring this rod in and try there - all too easy to sit there and say “give it another 30 minutes and I’ll recast” when times of the essence you tend to throw caution to the wind a little.