dayvid

Rods are out... blowing a hooley... been on the go since 6am... knackered now

Pleasant video , good luck 

Its been a good year, gained a lot of knowledge and have been able to get some new reels and gear. I haven't picked up a catfish rod since my first post of wanting to give up. Carp fishing is a skill in my opinion, I totally agree with the previous post. More than just baiting a hook. I have been fishing a couple of lakes and have found them to be more challenging than fishing the river. Enjoying it and have learned to use chod rigs and PVA bags at the lakes with some good success. Took time to learn and have confidence in my rigs. My advice to any one just getting started is don't become discouraged , it just takes patience and some time to learn. I'm still learning and know I have only scratched the surface.  Vacation is just around the corner, going to Dale Hollow lake and hope to land my first Mirror Carp. Yes I'm having Fun.

Appreciate your advice buzzbomb, Yes ground bait is allowed, as to a place, working on that. I believe fishing the river for my self in currents just comes more natural for me, I have been casting out lines in them for over 30 years. I enjoy the challenge of the lakes because I am able to use different rigs such as Chod rigs and pva bags. Locating the Carp is a game of stalking and a keen eye. I learned that the hard way and believed I could just cast out anywhere. All in all its a wonderful adventure every time I go out. Until next time. Photo is my River hot spot, very difficult to fish due to the solid jagged rock, steep bank, you don't want to trip for sure. Have a Matt in the water and a second Matt further up to protect the fish. Knee pads are a must, At times its difficult keeping those two rods in the water here with proper baiting.
 

If your looking for some Big Pits ,dont mind the colour , look at this, Mag sealed as well , great Spod or marker reel too.
https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/daiwa-19-emblem-surf-45-scw-qd

😉😉

Test your Carp fishing knowledge with some of these probing questions.
 

In his book "In pursuit of the Largest", how many times did Terry Hearn admit to abusing the benefits system?
 

Can you name one bait company that hasn't sponsored Jim Shelly?
 

At it's current rate of acquisitions, how long will it take for Angling Direct to have a total monopoly on the UK tackle market? 
 

Can you name one product launched by Nash in the last ten years that isn't driven by pure opportunism and greed?
 

In the "Redmire Legends" chapter on Passion for Angling, who was the most realistic scarecrow, Chris Yates or "Kevin"?
 

If an otter kills a large carp and only eats the throat area and leaves the rest, how many carp would it need to sustain itself for a day?
 

On average, how many times will Danny Fairbrass have a mental breakdown and scream "Get in the net" and "That was wicked, man" after landing a carp in an episode of Thinking Tackle?
 

If you claim to have been intimate with Clarissa, Heather, Mary and Sally, have you been a successful Carp angler over the years or have you pulled again at a grab a granny?
 

In what decade did the use of bait boats, sonar, underwater camera's and drones become essential items to track down carp?
 

Does anyone actually know who Ronnie is?
 

If you breed and feed a carp in a stock pond until it is larger than the current British record weight and then release it into a water you own, why did the British Record Fish Committee reject it?
 

If you are a member of an exclusive syndicate that most anglers will never get to fish with a large carp that is potentially at risk from otters, how much gall does it take ask for a whip round to protect their fishing?

Just finished new batch of freebies and hookbaits ready to be steamed  I boil the freebies but steam my hookbaits

I use an old 2:75lb Shimano carp rod as my marker rod , works fine 

All the good ones i know are invite only , 
But you could look up New forest water park and the Roach pit both at Ringwood, Sway lake at Sway in the New forest , it has 30s  but is such a small  venue , but if you want a numbers game no problem their , not mu cup of tea though
Just some off the top of my head  
 

ill take a look , but as with most ,its who you know that gets you in , 

Id try and put those buckets up front if you can to reduce the weight on your arms 

Id try and put those buckets up front if you can to reduce the weight on your arms 

Enough for a quick overnighter??
It always seems to much and yet I always forget a few things?? 

I have the air bomb ; first one broke but that was a known fault at the time ; the newer improved version works fine for me no problems at all , I really like it 

I'm not going to lie, I'm finding it a bit daunting, way out my comfort zone. It feels like I'm fishing at sea🤯

Viewfrom the bivvy door!! 
Had a few liners. 

Well I'm loosing my virginity tonight!!
All loaded up, going to have dinner with the kids then off to the resi! 
I don't mind admitting I'm quite excited to finally get on the bank 😁😁😁

Are you allowed bait boats on their ,
Or small dinghies 

Life jackets , this is just a personal opinion , but I dont really like the Auto inflate lifejackets , but prefer the conventional ones , 
You always know if you fall in , using a conventional life jacket you will always float , 
Auto inflate , theirs always an element of " will it inflate when I need it "  Just my opinion 
One other thing if you buy an Auto inflate , Always wear it on the outside of your cloths  , Never under a coat 
 

Thank you all, i don't think i'll be using it and if i do i'll make sure the front of the bivvy is wide open and has airflow thank you all 

Of course they are safe , but in the wrong hands are lethal  , To ask this question is good ,but you need to decide if you can use it safely , I fish with an open fronted Bivvy ,so not a problem, but would never use it in a bivvy with the front on , let alone zipped up .
This time of year ,you should never need one anyway , take an extra jumper and joggers