matt859

I prefer to use barbed hooks unless the rules state barbless of course.

As you already said it has anti tangle properties, it works over nearly all types of bottom and can be cast out when an angler is not sure of the lake bed or whats in front of him or her. It gives confidence and it works. I travel to a lot of venues for 36 and 48 hr sessions and once I have set up my unhooking mat and landing net a bright pop up goes out on a chod rig while I use my other rod to have a quick look around with a lead and float. Its all about optomising the maximum time available. Depending on what I find I will alter my rigs and baiting stratergy to suit.

thats what this forum is all about

Yeah the 12lb line would be ok. Your line doesnt necessarily have to sink really as you want your bait up on top of the detritus (chod) crap, rubbish and dead leaves. I fish mine naked and as light as possible. onto my main line I thread a small 4mm bead that has been punctured sideways (not through the hole) then I put my swivel on followed by another 4mm bead punctured sideways then I tie my line to a 2 or 3 oz lead depending on the distance I need to get it. my hooklength about 2" of amnesia is then tied to the swivel. the beads will slide under pressure and I can put them anywhere along my mainline. It keeps it nice and simple and it sinks slowly and rests on the top of the chod/weed etc

The hook length and hook size sounds ok but why have you got a length of 20lb line ? is it tied direct to your main line? It will have a knot in it that the sinker and bead might not be able to pass over if your main line snaps. much better to have your mainline go straight through to the lead, then if you get a crack off the sinker and bead can slide off the end easily.

I would ditch the bead on the hook and use a small ring instead then because youve scattered the boilies around a large area I would up the length of the rig to 12". Im like the idea of a half and half bait as it will look a bit more like the freebies. You havent used corn as a prebait so the use of one to give the bait some movement or a fleck of colour seems pointless. what colour do your baits wash out to? I would use half a pop up that matches the washed out shade. well done for putting it on the forum.

do you think the change would get you more bites? Why not try one on one rod for a few sessions and see what difference it makes. One change at a time.

Got any pics? I like the idea, have you tried it yet?

two cats, a tank full of fish and a bearded dragon.

I always use enterprise. you should be able to get 3 big hairy carp anglers and all the associated kit into a VW Transporter size van.

The French might be rude and call you fat but I dont think they will make you pay.

I think we should all take a picture of our boxs and post them up. I have a small bits box and a bait tub and thats about it.

then there is the Korda Krusher and the Korda Kutter and the Korda knot tying thingy and the Korda knot unpicker and the Korda boilie stops and the Korda guide to munga mix and a signed topless photo of Danny and Ali on holiday in Cap D Age.

hooks, braid, mono, scissors. Simples

Oh yeah sorry I forgot myself for a moment there. I was actually thinking about all the travelling for the convalescing wife, not the size of the fish he MIGHT catch.