Phil

Stiff rigs! Ring swivel, Amnesia, Big T or Raptor. I like to make a D rig or mount the bait on a rig ring on the shank of the hook, held in place with a float stop. I've also found that if you are being bothered for a long while by crays, then move. The crunchy lil fellows dont hang about if there are decent carp feeding amongst them.

p.s If you dont take this chance to scare the living c@rp out of them then shame on you lol

Blimey Tamworth used to be a very regular haunt for me. Used to go to the Snow dome and the other retail park bit, with Cube nightclub? Always went to cruises on Friday and Saturday night lol, used to go out with a girl who lived five mins from there. The lake near the Snowdome used to be chock full of carp, although I never actually fished for them. Catton park was my chosen venue but I think it is now syndicate.

No kidding, its like chewing gum to the crusty lil swines.

Hey dude, welcome to the forum, dont be affraid of the resident loons. Try tigers, the carp love em' bream hate em' crays wont munch em' Also, grab some cat or dog food, punch a few holes in the tin, tie it to a rope, hand it over the bank 10-20yrds down the towpath and let it attract the crays. Do not use trout or halibut pellets..............crays adore them..... Catch a bunch of the clawed beasts........eat em!!! nom nom nom nom!

If you cant be fussed buying a subfloat then a wine cork will suffice. Works well!

Loads of info from Google.

Did you find the fish? Which parts of the lake were you fishing? marginal shelves, drop offs, weed beds etc? What depths were you fishing?

For worms don't use anything other than the super awesome mega munga, crackin krankin, worm wackin, carp catchin...........sharp hook. Make sure that you tie it with "stuff". "Stuff" is the best hooklink. Dont think about it, just grab it. Use "stuff!!" There is probably loads of it on ur reel's spool. ;

My first choice would be Horseshoe, then Linch Hill. Not fished the others.

I'm also in Luton (Bushmead), dont worry about limiting yourself. The clubs I mentioned all have lots of water to have a go at. I'm sending you a pm with a few links as Im not sure if linking is allowed. Phil

Ello, Chestnut is a good fun runs water. Its well run and tidy. If you fish weekends, get there for 7am when the gates open as it can get busy very quickly! Also, the Nash roadshow will be there at the weekend so it'll be even busier. Ive never fished Henlow Bridge so I cant comment. Have you thought about joining a club? MK has a lot of water, many of which can also be fished for a cheap dayticket. Along with Luton Ac and Vauxhall Ac. All good value for the price of a few daytickets and bait. Feel free to PM for links or bash them into Google. Just a thought, where are you based? Phil

Hye dude. Grab a length of your chosen hooklength, Tie a tiny figure of 8 loop in the end. Using a needle, Thread on two mixers (or whatever you are using) Now use this to make your hooklink. Thread on a hook Adjust the baits till they are just touching the bend of the hook. Tie a knotless knot Job did. I think that makes sense lol

I've gone back to using long 18"+ mono hooklinks, knotless knotted, sometimes wonder why I ever changed away from this.

Cant answer your questions sorry. LAst time I fished Catton was when it was available on a day ticket.........having said that, I dont think I was ever charged......I'm sure I wasn't. My dad used to drive me up and fish with me, till I met a lass from Tamworth and could "stay over"....cough cough....then drive my'self to Catton to fish. Cracking place, I'd love to go back........without the lass lol

lmao

I dont measure my rigs, but I must admit (after asking the question...) that my knots, overall presentation is bonkers tidy. I simply will not allow stray strands, messy knots etc. My tackle bag is another matter lol

Who finds that they are very meticulous when it comes to a rigs "neatness" ?

I've not made them at home, hence my question. Thought I might be missing something lol. I think I may just stick to making my mix and then using it to make my bags lakeside. Thanks all.

Do you favour a very short hooklink for this?

Righty. If you make up a bucket of ready filled solid pva bags at home, what is your chosen method of attaching them to your rig once on the bank? Assuming they are made up and sealed.

Whoa thats some surface setup. Fine down on the lines, loosen the drag.......let those GT's run and use a softer rod with a smaller hook.

Dont worry about your gear, its perfect. Super Nova is a brilliant braid for hooklengths as it is very abrasion resistant. Try half or a whole mackerel, massive bunch of worms, 1/2 tin of luncheon meat as baits. Hook sizes to suit, dont be affraid of a big single hook http://www.catfish-tackle.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_Hooks.html I think links are allowed