grangemilky

I don't understand how people are using palomar knots with bristle, especially the ESP stuff, that knot must be collosal! Especially when a two turn blood knot will do the same. OP go for mouth trap, it's much better than the esp stuff IMO.

It's just much much neater, probably stronger too. And if you are using it on a helocopter or similar rig, it's much safer as no knots for anything to pass over.

I've been using the NGT lead free leader. I find it far more supple, and just superior in every way to any leadcore I have used.......except for splicing, it's a right pain. the best needle I have found is the korda splicing, or purple needle. I have broken loads! I alway make up leaders at home, and wouldn't dream of trying on the bank! I splice 2 to 3 inches, simple as that, no glue, no stitches, and it holds great.

Just a simple 2 turn grinner for me, anything else is just far too big.

If you use a domhoff knot, you can tie the swivel on first and get it sitting perfect before you tie on the hook.

ESP for me.

6! I went there for an 'interview' back when it was syndicated, I thought it would feel cramped with one person fishing it.

Don't get me started on back leads

That nash video, if its the one I think it is, is utter garbage. 'Prooving' that slak lines don't work by using a semi fixed lead, and non fluro line. It's just tripe. Recently Nash have released a lead drop off system, that is the size of a lead, do when you drop the lead, you still have a massive thing stuck in your line. Those zig bugs, that are just a bit of foam on a hook, for £5. Bags of special carp rock salt. And the new miracle £15 a kilo boilies. They are clever in what they are doing, preying in inexperience anglers that are looking for the next miracle that will catch a fish for them. You know the ones, the people that cover everything in Goo.

My car takes unleaded fuel. Does that help???

This forum can be rife with estrogen at times. In my humble opinion of course

Tbh I don't use any form of quick link, but occasionally use the loop method. Figure of 8 loop is great for most materials.

What an awful rig! Sure when a fish bolts suddenly, it will wack that putty and lose the lead, but what if it pulls away slowly and steadily, untill it hits the stop which would push the tail rubber on further? If you want to lose the lead on a running rig, tie the lead on with a very light piece if mono. you can secure it on with PVA for the cast. Or even better, use the enterprise safe run rings, they dump the lead when it gets snagged.

Initially yes, but I didn't do all that faffing around stretching it etc, just used it from the off. After a few sessions it was well behaved. Much better than xline. It casts very very well, much further than you would want to fish with it.

How long did you use it for though? All fluro's are AWFUL the first few times you use them, takes a few sessions for them to settle down, and they get better and better. Fluro doesn't take on water, so i don't see what soaking it for an hour would do, 5 mins in some warm water just to make it softer whilst you put it on is plenty IMO.

Wait, do you mean a fluro as a mainline or just a hook link?

I've used most, and Tiger line wins by an absolute mile. Venture gets very good reviews too.

Just a coated braid not stripped back, and tied with a knotless knot. Nothing special. But something I use regularly

Bigger hook, or chop a bit off the corn. I would have no quarms using a size six with that size bait.

Just read your next post....as for rig length, generally as short as possible. If its a clean bottom, I have been as low as 2 inches, believe it or not, I have had success with 2 inch hook length and a 1 inch hair, it just looks so wrong though and looks like it shouldn't work. 6 - 8 inches is average, and will always work, but on the right day, anything from 2 inches to 2 feet will work. Just find what's best for you.

It's quite common for balifs to think they know best. They may fish the lake, and may catch fish, but there is more than one way to skin a cat. These days my hairs remain a similar length, but if I venture more of a 'runs' water I change it about. If they are feeding funnily and not getting good hookholds, a longer hair gives them a bit more confidence, if it goes the other way then a smaller hair helps. I prefer to sit with the bait just brushing the bend of the hook, enough movement so the hook can 'turn' but not so much that it encourages tangles. Can you post a pic of your set up?

I use a £5 note. It doesn't work as well as a £2 coin, but I don't want to look like a cheapskate.

Raptor big T in size 4 - 6 Korda Choddy size 2 - 4 Fox armapont sssp in 4 - 8 Muggas in size 6. Plus several others.

i prefer a longer leader, so that when the lead is in position to cast, you have 5-7 turns on the spool at least. 2 reasons. You can afford to cut the ends off the leader every now and again if it gets damaged, or just to re tie knots, and it means the knot will be on the spool when you are netting the fish. Nothing worse to unnerve you, than the sound of a leader knot going through the rings up and down just as you are getting a fish in the net!

Location, location, location. As far as it sounds, your only problem was that you were not in the swim next door. How many times I have been in a situation fishing 2 or 3 rods, and I have caught several fish all on the same rod. There are many many variables of location in your own swim, let alone comparing to the swim next door. I wouldn't beat yourself up, one fish is a successfull session, don't worry about what you did wrong, but try to realise everything that you did right.