salokcinnodrog

Welcome to Carp.com.
Have fun finding your way around.
Don't be in a hurry to get bigger fish, learn from every one, and remember that 23lb is a big fish.
 

thank mate good advice 
i am the first to give into  bye bigger better
and  landing  net and better unhooking mate are on my list before moving over to the bigger lake 

I don't have one brand of tackle I stick to, with the exception of hooks, which are nearly always Gardner Muggas or Solar 101's on my rigs.
 
Various manufacturers change specifications on their end tackle, so for a while Fox Buffer beads or Run Rings may be the best, then the next batch is different, so I go elsewhere, or a companies bits may suddenly get hold of, so again I go elsewhere.
Hooklink materials I bought up so much Kryston when Dave Chilton sold the company so I didn't have to change immediately. I'm still using Merlin, Mantis, Snakeskin and Snakebite. 
To be honest, there are few ESP or Gardner items that are bad, I can't recall any I've used and disliked, although I rarely use ESP for personal reasons.
The honest answer is that there is no one brand that produces everything that is required or is the best, so it's best not to get into the 'Korda only' type mindset.

You may find that on some lakes if the bars are flat, is that fish will feed on bait on top of them. They may be wary (hence the 'need' to change rigs), but because so much bait goes on top they will eat it.
The same lake may also have fish that are caught from the bottom of the bars, as natural food, and short or long fall baits that don't land on the flat will fall into the troughs.
Some more food for thought though:
How many people think that they are fishing on top, but are actually dropping short with the swing of the lead?
Reeling in 'excess' line should tell you if you are hitting the clip and tightening up, by 1 or 2 reel handle turns as opposed to 10...
 
 

Rod Hutchinson in The Carp Strikes Back reckoned the carp would use the top of the gravel bar during the day, hanging around and moving along, then would feed at the base of the bar.
 
I've had fish from the top of gravel bars, Brackens Pool especially, where the bars could be 15ft above the lakebed, but on other lakes as well.
I've also done well on either side at the base of the bars. 
Pretty much the only way is to fish both and see which the fish prefer.

Rod Hutchinson in The Carp Strikes Back reckoned the carp would use the top of the gravel bar during the day, hanging around and moving along, then would feed at the base of the bar.
 
I've had fish from the top of gravel bars, Brackens Pool especially, where the bars could be 15ft above the lakebed, but on other lakes as well.
I've also done well on either side at the base of the bars. 
Pretty much the only way is to fish both and see which the fish prefer.

I am lucky in that many swims I can unload behind my swim before moving the car to the car park.
 
I get behind the swim, switch the engine off, open the doors and unload. I shut the doors as quietly as possible with the exception of the rear and drivers door which stay open until I take the car to the car park, as I have to take Sky with me, and I can slam the doors shut properly at the car park.
However don't forget to shut them properly as the boot inside light left on for a few days can flatten the battery...
 
 
On our syndicate it is rare for anglers to be close to each other, unless specifically having a social session. 

I am lucky in that many swims I can unload behind my swim before moving the car to the car park.
 
I get behind the swim, switch the engine off, open the doors and unload. I shut the doors as quietly as possible with the exception of the rear and drivers door which stay open until I take the car to the car park, as I have to take Sky with me, and I can slam the doors shut properly at the car park.
However don't forget to shut them properly as the boot inside light left on for a few days can flatten the battery...
 
 
On our syndicate it is rare for anglers to be close to each other, unless specifically having a social session. 

You're not anti social - that was just bad etiquette!  There's always one. 
I think it says a great deal how people close their car doors when they arrive - the slammers just don't get it- so you know straight away - noddy!  Sorry but its true, announce your presence straight away  zero hunter instint or understanding.
Likely to be followed by noisy setting  up - casting everywhere, leaving engine running behind you and talking too loud.
A group of good anglers can have a social and still not annoy anyone else.

hello sir,

you are absolutely right, but i am hoping, that if they work in my own fishing they could become a little side hussle, never know? so looking at cost effective ways to produce without compromising on quality. i think CB would be viable but only in bult at very large QTY's
 
thank you all for your help on this subject and giving me the time.
i think i have all i need in regards of advice, so will keep you all posted on how i get on.
again, thank you all very much!

Different things to different people.
To me a 'social' in inverted commas, is a group of anglers fishing together on a water, with the barbecue, maybe a couple of drinks and a meeting time to discuss the life, universe and everything.
Carp.com years ago had some good socials, Mick1396, Richardf, Chris Payne, Tryzard, Guddler, @welder , @dougmoon and @kevtaylor  amongst others fishing some nice lakes where we had a meeting of minds, chat, as well as the chance of a fish or two. A chance to meet other members of the forum, some of which I am lucky enough to call friends as well.
I'm not into the glorified continual drinking, I don't drink much alcohol anymore; I can't handle it, I don't like the hangovers, and water and alcohol don't mix...
Saying that a nice cider, one maybe two cans or 500ml bottle goes down nicely.
My usual session fishing is rarely social, although if Bruce Lait is about we socialise as close mates anyway, but we still aim to fish to catch. On my syndicate we share time, coffee, but it's not really social, it's a walk around looking for fish, or being near other members.
 
Some people do use fishing as a social, glorified alcohol time, just not my thing very often. I'm usually happier in my own space. Strangely I get on well with most people, but often prefer to keep to myself. I think Tim @newmarket, you know me well enough to understand why.

Welcome to carp.com.
Firstly what you are doing is working, so don't complicate things, just stick with it. You are catching good fish up to a good size.
 
What you may find is that venues with bigger fish are not compatible with days only, so with family you might have to stick with what you have. However, if the club has lakes with bigger fish take your working methods over there and try them.
 
In terms of fishing tackle you could be spending silly money on gear you don't need, buzzers, new rods, new reels.
What you do need is decent sized landing net, unhooking mat etc.
You will get so many answers on what is decent gear, Shimano, Daiwa, Wychwood, Sonik, Nash, Fox, Delkim, the list is endless.
The best bet is to go into a tackle shop near you, preferably one who knows your venues, and see what he recommends.
 
 

Welcome to carp.com.
Firstly what you are doing is working, so don't complicate things, just stick with it. You are catching good fish up to a good size.
 
What you may find is that venues with bigger fish are not compatible with days only, so with family you might have to stick with what you have. However, if the club has lakes with bigger fish take your working methods over there and try them.
 
In terms of fishing tackle you could be spending silly money on gear you don't need, buzzers, new rods, new reels.
What you do need is decent sized landing net, unhooking mat etc.
You will get so many answers on what is decent gear, Shimano, Daiwa, Wychwood, Sonik, Nash, Fox, Delkim, the list is endless.
The best bet is to go into a tackle shop near you, preferably one who knows your venues, and see what he recommends.
 
 

If you are happy with it, and it doesn't tangle then stick with it.
 

I have used tapered leaders for sea fishing, and the leader lasts multiple sessions. I would suggest checking it every time you reel in, habit for me, but mussels, gravel etc, can take chunks out of your line.
 

My frying pan, plate and spatula all go in the interior pocket at the back of my rucksack, the stove, gas canister and saucepan go in the main body. My ruckbag carries my coffee, sugar, food and electrical bits; tablet, chargers/powerpack, along with a couple of books.
Suffered tonight with food, for the first time in years it was bacon, sausages and fried eggs, followed by a 5 pack of Jaffa cake bars.
 

My frying pan, plate and spatula all go in the interior pocket at the back of my rucksack, the stove, gas canister and saucepan go in the main body. My ruckbag carries my coffee, sugar, food and electrical bits; tablet, chargers/powerpack, along with a couple of books.
Suffered tonight with food, for the first time in years it was bacon, sausages and fried eggs, followed by a 5 pack of Jaffa cake bars.
 

I'm out again this weekend for another 24hrs, I'm going to be trying a different club lake Well it's a Reservoir 20 to 25 ft deep a different challenge all together, my usual lake has got a charity carp match on it which Highy is fishing and good luck to him, So I thought I would give somewhere else a go, I have pike fished it and once for the carp with nothing. But it will make a nice change. Here are a couple of pictures. 
 

I would not trust a Coleman petrol stove at all. Too many problems from a Peak1 made me return to gas. It's cheaper to replace a whole worn out gas stove than continually replace dying parts on a Coleman. The rings wear, the burner wears out, the pump needs replacing, washer replacement, all were around £20. 
You can get a new gas stove for that...
Get a Bulin T4😉

I would not trust a Coleman petrol stove at all. Too many problems from a Peak1 made me return to gas. It's cheaper to replace a whole worn out gas stove than continually replace dying parts on a Coleman. The rings wear, the burner wears out, the pump needs replacing, washer replacement, all were around £20. 
You can get a new gas stove for that...
Get a Bulin T4😉

I would not trust a Coleman petrol stove at all. Too many problems from a Peak1 made me return to gas. It's cheaper to replace a whole worn out gas stove than continually replace dying parts on a Coleman. The rings wear, the burner wears out, the pump needs replacing, washer replacement, all were around £20. 
You can get a new gas stove for that...
Get a Bulin T4😉

That's the thing buddy walking along the river and being out all day like you do you absolutely need dry and warm clothing to put on as and when you need it, being out in the boats you cant just say oh I'm cold and wet and not enjoying it very much can we go home?  NO you've paid quite a lot to do this activity - make the most of it.
I also saw the advantage for my carping, I can be out looking, baiting up, moving swims in all weathers whilst almost everyone else is tucked up inside bivvies.
Money well spent IMO

https://www.geoffanderson.com/keep-warm-a-guide-to-dress-correct-3-layer-principle/
Had a look at the Site Kev recommended. The top range stuff might need a lottery win but the link explains the layering system well.
I used to barbel fish on the Lower Severn in the winter quite a few years ago and it often required a long walk to get to the river. When the Severn floods, it literally can be a mile wide. It used to take me 15 minutes to yomp across the fields with a pack on my back, rod quiver and bait bucket. Even if it was cold, when I got out of the car I would strip down to my base layer and goretex jacket. When I got to the swims, I would be pretty warm from the exertion but once I cooled down, I would put on my jumper and then later on if the temperature started to plummet, put on a fleece. Once packed up, I would strip back down again for the long walk back to the car.
 

Different waters Different results.
For some reason some of the waters I've fished have still been night time waters, even in the depths of winter. Yet others the takes do switch to coming during the day, or at any time.
Earith Virgina Water was very much a night water, all of my winter fish coming at night between 8pm and 8am. We had some cold wet nights when I was fishing there, and I was still doing 2night sessions.
Nazeing Brackens produced fish between midday and 9pm, yet the lagoons could be anytime.
Those big Southwesterlies can be very good to fish in, a proper system that seems to get the fish moving again, yet a steady period of high pressure, cold, no rain or snow can have the fish switch off.
The carp can really hold tight in one area, so takes can come at anytime if you can find them. Near weed, snags, drop-offs and as @yonny mentioned, not always the deepest water.
It's weird seeing 20carp huddled together in the rushes in water only 1metre deep.
Again on Earith I had a lot of my fish in winter from a bloodworm bed in silt next to the base of islands. Catching plenty of upper doubles saw me getting noticed, and when another angler started fishing the spot, I moved areas, and found a few bigger fish from a snag at the other end of the island.
Even in winter fish will show, at any time, although I've noticed it more from lunchtime until just after dark. Hearing big fish jump in the dark at 6pm, looking for the origin of the ripples...
It is that showing that saw me catch some very good fish from the Nazeing Central lagoon, just after a thaw. So much water coming in the inlet that a 3oz lead wouldn't hold bottom near it. I walked around, and 'thought' I saw a roll or show, so set up on it. Over the next 4 days I had 26, 26, 20 and 16lb fish, and all on one rod. The middle rod fished metres away produced nothing, same bait, same rig, but the fish were tight to the end of the gravel bar on Bower bank Long Island swim.

I'd say "proper carp fishing", in the UK at least - implies static rigs on the bottom - boilies and size 6 or bigger hooks - 9 out of 10 times, 15lb+ mainline, rods on buzz bars with alarms / baitrunners, 42" landing nets, probably a bivvy, etc etc.
"proper" is a poor choice of word, but it's also completely understood if you're not being pedantic - when you look at a "proper" carp angler on the bank, you instantly know exactly what he's doing, as opposed to an angler holding a float rod who could be doing anything of a number of things - you wouldn't really instantly know what flavour of fish he's targeting.
"proper" wasn't a word to discredit other approaches - although I can definitely see why somebody might conclude that it is, like I said - poor choice of words, it was intended to imply the instantly identifiable approach to carp fishing.