salokcinnodrog
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Posts posted by salokcinnodrog
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11 hours ago, commonly said:
I popped into a mates lake, thinking most of the carp were dead, only to find around 20 mid doubles all cruising around, occasionally breaking the surface and splashing their tales about.
If I didn't know better, I'd have said they looked to be getting ready for it.
We have had a fairly warm spring so far
Don't forget that carp love eating the spawn of other species. It is one reason that pike and perch are hanging around the margins, waiting for other species and a sneaky meal
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11 hours ago, framey said:
What else is in there?
I think pike are one of the first to go.Pike being predators go at the end of February to mid-March (sometimes outside the old close season!), followed by perch, then roach and the cyprinids.
Tench and carp are usually the last British species to spawn.
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9 hours ago, InteraX said:
I visited a local commercial fishery yesterday to visit the on-site tackle shop. Driving in, the lake next to the entrance was 'closed due to spawning'.
I know a lot of things feel to me like they're happening early this year, but I would have thought it's far too early for spawning. Doesn't spawning usually happen around May time?
Bit early!
The water temperature is not high enough for carp and I don't think the days are quite long enough yet, be about right towards the middle of May.
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The double figure pike that snaffled a purple pop-up on the retrieve before walking Sky didn't! It totally covered me and itself in mud as it went through the margins.
Deep hooked and somehow didn't bite off the hooklink until I went to get the forceps at which point it slid out of the net and returned itself.
On 20/04/2026 at 11:21, salokcinnodrog said:That puts a smile on the face!
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On 17/02/2026 at 21:12, LC1975 said:
Hi,
Does anybody use a size 8 swivel instead of putty and a size 11 swivel for their hinge rigs?
I can balance mine perfectly with a size 8 Korda PTFE ring swivel (cutting the ring off with crimp tool) and an ESP large balance bead.
I would like to know if anyone else has had success using it set it up like this or something similar using different components?
Thanks
If it works, then stick with it.
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2 hours ago, yonny said:
I have a few to upload but file size will be a problem so may have to do it over a couple days. Lets start with the smaller ones.
I may be able to merge posts for you if it limits it due to picture size
- yonny, jules007 and elmoputney
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In fact this morning size 4 Incizor, reverse combi-rig and 12mm pop-up landed a 26lb mirror.
The reverse combi-rig is around 100mm of soft braid, back to Kryston Merlin in 25lb and the stiff section to the hook was 20lb black Amnesia around 10mm long from the join to hook fished D-rig style.
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On 14/04/2026 at 21:48, salokcinnodrog said:
I was checking my rigs this week and a size 4 Gardner Incizor is perfect 'counterweight' for a 12mm Monster Crab pop-up.
I've used size 4 Solar 101's with it and caught.
In fact this morning that size 4 Incizor, reverse combi-rig(*) and 12mm pop-up landed a 26lb mirror.
The reverse combi-rig is around 100mm of soft braid, and the stiff section to the hook was 20lb black Amnesia around 10mm long from the join to hook fished D-rig style.
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I can trouble this month's Catch report, with a 26lb mirror this morning on a 12mm Monster Crab pop-up on my reverse combi rig
- kevtaylor, jules007, Golden Paws and 2 others
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This is another session that seemed to start out badly for various reasons.
I got to the lake to discover someone in the swim I had been baiting up, no major problems as there is 45acres of lake, so I chose a swim opposite, albeit over 150metres away, so not going to interfere.
A pallet had blown in and drifted up the lake into the margins, so I attempted to pull it out. As I did so a rotten piece broke and the pallet fell down my leg, with a nail ripping a brand new pair of combat trousers from thigh to shin, and giving me a couple of cuts on my thigh.
I already knew that I had left my coffee and sugar at home, so after changing into clean trousers I took a trip to the shop in Botesdale for some antiseptic and coffee and sugar.
Last night I had ducks taking off and flying through the right hand lines twice, on the second occasion for some reason my middle white Ipro indicator body broke in two, so I had to bodge a repair.
This morning just drinking coffee and the male swan swan through the right hand line, getting tangled in the process and eventually smashing me up.
I re-rigged and was sat with just two rods in the water, thinking I'd recast after walking Sky round.
Another coffee and the left hand rod screamed off, this was a better result on the reverse combi-rig and 12mm pop-up when I landed a 26lb mirror.
That puts a smile on the face!
- crusian, yonny and Golden Paws
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15 hours ago, InteraX said:
Hi all,
I've got a local water I want to target. It's the nearest water to home with decent fish in it, but it's very deep from what I read.
On the surface, it's about 200m by 130, but it's apparently up to 100ft deep. It's an old brick works and there's apparently some old buildings and machinery at the bottom, so it I want to try to avoid the deepest parts. I can only access about 1/2 of the bank as there's housing around the other side and we aren't allowed to cast near the gardens.
How would you target this type of water?
Thanks for your advice.
Sounds interesting!
As with all waters, look for the fish. Despite the depths, most waters still have margins, a shelf or ledge and then either a gradual slope or a sudden drop off.
I can't imagine that there is much natural food at depths beyond say 40feet either. That's not to say none, but I would think most is above that.
I seem to recall a thread around 5years ago asking how deep carp go, and I think that 50feet was the limit that carp were caught from (Bundy's?).
Funnily enough I was reading Rod Hutchinson Carp Now and Then again this week, and his thoughts were that Cassien carp preferred to feed in depths to around 20feet, but would go down to 60feet.
This is where your friendly echo sounder and bait boat may be handy?
(Did I really just say that?🫣)
Casting near the gardens is relative, how do you define what is near?
Do the residents always sit out with a measuring stick and a yellow or red card?😆🤪
A small splash may or may not be noticed, and once the line is in the water who is to say where it was cast.
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On 23/02/2026 at 07:32, yonny said:
I can't help here I'm afraid mate. The Shrimp is that good I'll not try anything else. I have 100% confidence in the stuff.
On 23/02/2026 at 20:40, LC1975 said:Thanks for the positive comments regarding Trent Shrimp. I've decided to go for it.
@yonny, once again cheers Mate.
I did the same, placed an order for 15kg of boilies, mixed fresh and stabilisd, added some pop-ups and hard hookbaits.
Trent Baits website is easy to navigate and payment was easy online. Compared to many companies it was no hassle.
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11 hours ago, yonny said:
Frozen is better but the shelfies are decent. A little firmer so brilliant for sticking at very long range. At normal range I'd go frozen every time.
Thanks Mate.
I'm limited on freezer space so reckon that 5kg is the maximum I can keep in the freezer, which makes a good shelfie important. I've not done badly on shelf life's from Alton and The Syndicate. The Rod Hutchinson KMG was a brilliant bait in shelf life.
I do tend to use the throwing stick to put bait out so reckon using frozen to put some bait out at the start, then 'prebaiting' at the end of the session with shelf life, and mixing the two during the session. Normally 70metres is my maximum on the syndicate.
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On 13/02/2026 at 17:49, LC1975 said:
Hi,
Is a size 4 Korda Choddy hook on a hinge rig too big for a 14mm pop up? There's no issues with the pop ups I'd like to use, they're super buoyant.
I've previously fished this rig with a 16mm hook baits so using these 14mm ers makes the hook looks a bit too big!
Am I overthinking this and the set up I intend to use is good to whack out in the pond?
Thanks
I was checking my rigs this week and a size 4 Gardner Incizor is perfect 'counterweight' for a 12mm Monster Crab pop-up.
I've used size 4 Solar 101's with it and caught.
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On 23/02/2026 at 07:32, yonny said:
Yup!
Been using it for 10 years+. I don't use a lot of boiled bait but when I do it's always the Shrimp. I had just dropped a bait deal back in ~2015 and was looking for something new. I'd bought 20kg of Essential B5 and was really struggling. Literally couldn't catch a cold. Given the track-record of the B5 I was reluctant to believe the bait was the problem but a pal of mine put me onto the Shrimp. On my first session with the Shrimp, 4 hours after casting out, I caught the big common I was after. It was like flicking a switch.... just started getting loads of bites.
Just yesterday afternoon, with the temps in my koi pond rocketing, I decided to see if the fish would eat boilies. I chopped up a handful of Shrimp and plonked it in each corner of the pond. Given my koi have never seen a boilie I expected they'd take a while clear it up. Wrong. It was gone in about 1 minute! They absolutely love the stuff.
I can't help here I'm afraid mate. The Shrimp is that good I'll not try anything else. I have 100% confidence in the stuff.
Is that the stabilised or frozen? Are they the same or do you have a preference?
I'm currently looking at the idea of a new bait as my deal is due to finish and I just can't get the enthusiasm for others in the company I'm with's range. What I liked is no longer being made.
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41 minutes ago, buzzbomb said:
The jack saved you from getting skunked, and you got to go fishing. Take the win. 😄
I saw where the hook was and it would have been easy to get with the forceps without getting bitten.
I would have preferred not to have lost my lead, run ring and bead!
As for the fishing, I'll accept that as a win anytime.
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Here we go again 🙄 🤣
Friday I made it back to the syndicate lake, and was surprised to find someone else fishing, but no problem on 45acres.
Easy swim choice, back to the previous area, which just happened to be where Andy had moved out of.
Left hand rod, 40metres, small MC pop-up and a PVA bag of pellets.
Middle rod, LT snowman at 50metres, a stringer over around 200 throwing sticked boilies.
Right hand, over the bucket of garlic birdfood particles which with the wind was easy.
I'd just finished Spombing and the left hand rod bleeped, pulled out of the clip, and I discovered a numpty pike of around 3 or 4lb. I got it into the margins and just grabbed the line to lift it out, at which point it unhooked itself and bit through the mainline, losing a lead in the silt.
The rest of the night passed quietly.
Saturday, I walked Sky round, again, no reason to move, no signs, no shows.
About 1am heading into Sunday I was woken up by a decent run on the middle rod, but as I picked it up it didn't feel right, line taken against the freespool, and as I tightened it just broke off. I don't know if the male swan had swam through the line and smashed me, or if it was a take. I do know that setting up again, fresh run ring, 3oz lead and rig is not easy in the freezing air at 1am!
Monday, around midnight, the swan did the middle rod, swimming through the line, causing another recast in the frost.
As I reeled in this morning I am positive that both pick-ups were the swan as my line looks badly twisted and kinked.
Reality, could do without it...
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35 minutes ago, OldBoy said:
My one regret is that I have never caught a Barbel!
Sorry for a bit of a rant
I think that is not a rant, but more of how time's have moved on, and as with everything, not always for the better.
Like you, I have never caught a barbel, nor a grayling. I did see barbel a few years ago back on the Wensum when I was 'between' waters, but never actually managed to trip one up. Saying that I do go up there to see my daughter.
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14 hours ago, commonly said:
Well I decided not to rejoin, then the owner, in all his wisdom decided to close the season, a month early???
Im not too keen on day ticket waters.
So, without anywhere to fish until the estate opens in mid June, I've signed up to a local angling club for £90 + a small joining fee.
There's a few small local lakes with some reasonable size fish to go for.
My boys are welcome which is important and no stupid rules, which is refreshing.
A new chapter for me, trying out the club scene.
Sounds like a plan!
I get the 'not feeling it' feeling about a few places, some of which I used to love, one of which was and is a day ticket, Suffolk Water Park.
I really enjoyed going down there, walking around, finding fish, choosing a swim, and being able to move if the fish moved. It was at the time £20 for 24hours, so a just about affordable 2 nights.
Then over time we have now come to book into a swim for however long the session, which at the rate the SWP fish move may be miles away from them, and £35 for 24hours.
Sadly my local club has lost the ball, they were unable to take on one of their biggest venues when the owners sold up, and now only have two stillwater venues instead of three, which makes one water in particular rather crowded.
I am keeping my syndicate ticket, I do occasionally put on pictures even if I can't name it, although a few people know where it is.
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9 hours ago, yonny said:
Looking at the forecast we'll be seeing 15C+ starting tomorrow for the foreseeable. Hovering around 17/18 for the coming weeks.
IT'S HERE LADS!
In a strange twist of fate, it's fallen perfectly for me. I have a few days planned this week. Fingers crossed I can get on them.
Good luck for the season guys.
There was a frost this morning!
I got woken up to an occurrence at around 5.30, thick mist across the lake and a frost on the ground.
Let's hope that the forecast weather wakes a few fish up.
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1 hour ago, InteraX said:
Do we know where the spammers are coming from? Can they be geo blocked?
What about new user moderation?
Whilst I know this will put more work onto you moderators, it seems to be getting worse ATM.
I have set accounts up so that new members have to use a validation email to join. So it looks like they were human accounts rather than 'bot' accounts.
If one person at a time joins, we can keep an eye on the posts, or if the email address is suspect can put on post moderation. However when we get a whole office signing up to spam it is difficult to keep up.
The joys of VPN's can make the best laid plans of banned IP addresses, banned emails and providers worthless.
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On 12/07/2025 at 08:28, salokcinnodrog said:
This first picture is where I had my bivvy to take the picture of the swans.
I mentioned bird flu in the original post, it looks like it has hit again. The lake is down to 7 swans, 3 of which look like yearling cygnets from one of the dominant pairs.
The lack of numbers has meant that the dominant males are not so aggressive and not such a pain in the rectum.
And a couple of pictures from the last two sessions, taken in the same swim on the other side of the lake.
Just to the left of the picture on the far side is the copse that Sky and I were using for shade.
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I wonder what day it is?
A mate of mine on Brackens did struggle with his footing at night around a few swims which had steps or slopes down to his rods, so got some solar powered rock lights, something like these pictured.
Not mega expensive either and the glow was enough to allow him to get to his rods safely.
As for torches at night, I found 3 headlights in my gear this trip, plus my wooly hat which has an led light on the front. That is the only bivvy light I use, and usually more for reading than anything else.
Molasses meal.... with flaked maize
in UK Bait and Bait Making
Posted
I used to add molasses to my Vitalin, (now Vitacarp from Gladwells) which is a large quantity of flaked maize.
Condensed milk is one of my favourite liquids in my particles and breadcrumb, it clouds up the water and does a good job at confusing swans on introduction in the Spomb.