salokcinnodrog

Well im on the alternative rig, most anglers are like you say ronnie, spinner and slip D, i have gone back to full on Choddy, light lead with lead free leader and blatent pop up , i had a eureka moment and realised the lake is perfect for chod rig, and now im getting the odd take, plus im happy with my bait choice i think its a matter of time before i get a few out of main lake 

I find smaller lakes harder than bigger less pressured waters.
The fish tend to be more wary, more rig aware, even more bait aware, so getting ahead of both the fish and other anglers.
It is so much harder getting rigs that the fish aren't 'used to', although current fashions can make things a little easier if everyone is on spinner or Ronnie rigs, and you can come up with something different.
When I first went onto Brackens Pool I knew it was heavily pressured, and nobody used much bait due to the rules of no catapulting or throwing bait in, everything had to be attached to PVA. I came up with my sliding revolving ring presentation (an adaptation of something I had seen Rob Maylin write about), and used plenty of big stringers, 30 boilies at a time, and would put in as many as 20casts of stringers before my hookbait cast.
The first fish I caught was in a swim that was often ignored and was 30lb. 

I agree. Big waters are a case of find them, catch them. Small waters, anglers are on them all the time. You need a little time to figure it out.

That's my point, when it comes right it does mean so much.
The common went in in 2018 at 18lb, it's now over 30lb, the linear was a 2020 stocking that was double figures.
Last season I did have a very good year, although a 6 fish session really made my season

 
 

That's my point, when it comes right it does mean so much.
The common went in in 2018 at 18lb, it's now over 30lb, the linear was a 2020 stocking that was double figures.
Last season I did have a very good year, although a 6 fish session really made my season

 
 

I'm still amazed that this trend has taken off.
Don't get me wrong, I've no problem with high TC rods, but for me they exist to hit distance, and for that you need length too. If you don't need to hit distance then I cannot see why anyone would choose a higher TC. It's a compromise for casting because you don't have the length, and a compromise for playing fish because the TC is too high..... worst of both worlds!

I agree totally, blanking but learning is progress, knowing what you did wrong is as important as getting it right I guess - the bigger picture of understanding.
I think the pressure of catching spoils it for many or they allow it to, but I'm doing this for me no one else, so I set the bar!

I can relate to this massively. It was an 80 acre nature reserve with a very low stock that did it for me. I was nowhere near ready for it and blanked for a whole season before catching one right at the end (to this day one of the best I've ever caught). What a learning curve it was. The buzz from catching that carp set me on a path that I could never go back from.
There are very few blanks that wind me up. As long as I learn something (i.e. literally anything) about the lake or its inhabitants on a blank, I'm not bothered. Every now I'll have a blank session where nothing is learned and that's the only time I'll be a little peeved. Best thing for that is get back down there and bag one!

That's my point, when it comes right it does mean so much.
The common went in in 2018 at 18lb, it's now over 30lb, the linear was a 2020 stocking that was double figures.
Last season I did have a very good year, although a 6 fish session really made my season

 
 

I tend to fish harder lakes with very limited time so blanking is part of the furniture. Sure it can be frustrating, but it doesn't break me and I never question my tactics (unless I see something that tells my I'm using the wrong tactics which in itself I would consider to be a result.... critical info learned innit).
Ultimately, I'm not going to get the buzz I seek from easy, heavily stocked waters. If that means I have to go for longer periods without catching then so be it. I'd rather spend my one night a month doing everything in my power to find and catch something special than queuing up on a day ticket to catch a fish that comes out once a week.
Again - I don't get this. In years gone I've retreated to easier waters when it looks like a blank year is on the cards but the result is always the same - catch a few doubles or twenties that mean very little to me..... feel like I've wasted precious time that could've been spent chasing the proper ones...... go back to the hard lake and stay there until I've achieved what I wanted to achieve. Basically a pointless exercise. 
Of course it's all personal choice but for me: the harder the task, the bigger the buzz when it's job done. That's in all walks of life imo - not just fishing.

Lovely morning after a wet night.
I call the trees opposite Wile E Coyote and Scotty Dog.
I've had a few fish out of this swim in the past, but it is the area where I've seen the big uncaught common.

The funny thing is that the lake I'm on gives so many difficulties; 185 carp in 45acres, with loads of natural food, so not overstocked. It is very weedy, and has plenty of birdlife, which the swans can be a right pain as it is not particularly deep.
The carp aren't spread equally, the water can be devoid of fish in certain areas, and they don't show regularly. It has a pretty much East to West orientation and the east end is the shallowest, so a westerly wind doesn't push them all the way.
Then we have the syndicate, I can be the only person on there for a whole week, and see absolutely nobody. I walk Sky round almost every day I am there, as it's a 2mile circuit, a slow walk so I can watch the water and look for fish.
Then we have bait, the fish don't need it, but you might need to bait heavily to compete with naturals, or the hi-viz attractor bait. BUT, don't bait up on them as they are wary and will move away.
I should say that this is the hardest lake I have ever fished, but you know when it comes right.
 

The problem is the “distributors” 
(I use that word as most are made by someone else anyway)
are telling us that’s what we need so the lower test curve rods are just not available anymore because the “celebs/stars” are using heavy rods
whether that be 6 footers 
10 footers or 13 footers.
 
I don’t have a problem with higher tc rods per se but the action isn’t kind on them as most are fast to enable distance casting. Couple that with the modern reels that the clutch is either tight or loose because everyone of the “stars/celebs” and their dog are using quick clutch reels.

Was a time when you could get lower poundage rods, now 3lb seems the minimum and to be honest for a lot of waters it just isn't needed... My 9' Dwarfs are 2.75lb through action, lovely playing rods for small waters, and I think they are a bit heavy... But the "Stars" as you rightly say advocate heavy rods to cast big weights a long way... for goodness sake a 3.75lb rod (4lb Kaizens... really...????) They are beachcasters or light spod rods fer crying out loud... these rods have no business on a carp pool in the UK... and I don't care what others think, these rods in the wrong hands are  prime suspects in mouth damage... 

One of my pet peeves is anglers using rods far too heavy for a water... I was on a small clubbie a wee while ago, and a lad was using a pair of 3.5lb rods and big pit reels on a small water with fish of less than 30lbs...  probably using 15-18lb line where you can quite happily land a 20 on a light 1.5lb/1.75lb rod and 8-10lb line... balanced tackle is far better than overgunned rods... I appreciate that it may have been that he can only afford one set of rods, but I think a chunk of the blame has to be laid at the feet of the media for advocating heavy gear on their videos, and not making a point in telling folks the heavy gear isn't required for a large majority of UK carping.
Unforgiving, heavy poundage rods are just not required and in the hands of the inexperienced can and will cause mouth damage, especially in conjunction with a tight clutch...

'Braid' is a problem, as there is a difference between hooklink braid, and mainline braid, and even various manufacturers or tackle brands braids. Mainline braid is cutting, it's not designed for hooklinks (actually nor are many hooklink braids, being designed for upholstery).
Years ago I played around with a Drennan hooklink braid, in 8-12lb versions, that I felt was too thin, too 'sharp' and likely to cut. 
For years I have used Kryston hooklinks, from the original Merlin, which was also sold by Carp-R-Us (Wizzard?) when it was changed to current Merlin, Supersilk, and Silkworm. I found Supersilk was another very thin diameter braid that gave me worries, as were 15lb versions of Merlin. I only use 25lb for that reason.
Supersilk was white, although it did take on bottom colour, but I would get hooklink twist.
I still use Merlin, although I was concerned when Dave Chilton sold Kryston, enough to buy up all of the Merlin we had in stock at the shop I worked in. 
I do have a spool of ESP camo sink link, which I bought to make a tackle order £100 for free shipping. That is used on Multi-rigs.
Rigwise, I use braids straight through, or as the end part of a combi-rig. 
I'm also of the bigger hook size, 4's and 6's and have been for years, at least since 2008, with pop-ups and bottom baits.
Having a size 8 to remove that is buried up to the eye, leaving almost nothing to snip with side cutters or grip with forceps is not fun. 
The knotless knot does not slip, and I have not superglued it. I have used knotless knots for over 20years, both with and without tubing to cover it as a line aligner.
 

The only luck will be if the birdlife leave me alone. 

The only luck will be if the birdlife leave me alone. 

Back in 2016 (!), I fished Alton Water near The Wonder and caught roach to 2lb 5oz on the cage swimfeeder, size 16hook and either double red maggot or maggot and caster. The first 2 or 3 swims down the slope I found the best at around 30-40metres, regularly recasting. The fish tended to switch on from around 4pm until last light.
Birchwood on the other side I found better for bream on the feeder, and for float fishing for silver fish if you go to the right.
That is down a small farm lane with a combination lock gate at the end. You get lock number when you buy your ticket.
Ardleigh I was fishing back in 2005 for carp, but the bream would come on big beds of groundbait and if you could prebait the day or two before would often be there all day, with the occasional carp. Go into Ardleigh, and down Lodge Lane, near the petrol station. There is another Lodge Lane on the other side of the reservoir. Wick Lane dam area is also easily accessible.
I never did very well up near the main fishing lodge.

You can splice a number of braids, from the original Kesmark Octosplice, Kryston Merlin, SuperNova, even the various ESP braids. It takes no longer to splice than tying a knot, and I can do it on the bank.
As I have mentioned, those made with Dyneema are the problem, it is thinner than Spectra.

Sky spent last night in the bivvy as it was raining, but at around 6am was sat outside watching and waiting. She's now totally relaxed and sunbathing.

Thought i should post the pic of the rods prior to breaking the tip of one, BTW had a repky from Wychwood asking me to take broken rod to local dealer for them to send it back and let them see if it was poor workmanship that caused it but i have repaired it so not going back, i have instead ordered a pair of Rod Hutchinson 10ft rods and will sell on the 9ft Wychwoods

Sort of, their buoys. Had a small conger that went back in I fished with the brother-in-law had a laugh 👍
I can see the coyotes but no dog. 

Best of luck and don’t forget the suntan lotion 

Lovely morning after a wet night.
I call the trees opposite Wile E Coyote and Scotty Dog.
I've had a few fish out of this swim in the past, but it is the area where I've seen the big uncaught common.

Lovely morning after a wet night.
I call the trees opposite Wile E Coyote and Scotty Dog.
I've had a few fish out of this swim in the past, but it is the area where I've seen the big uncaught common.