kevtaylor

I turned up for an overnighter May bank holiday weekend on a syndicate, was packed out only 2 tiny corner swims available which I didn't fancy. Detoured to Bluebell on the way home for a look, found it to be quiet on Kingy, got a decent swim and had a PB Common - so you never know. That being said I couldn't even be bothered to drive down for a look and to start the prebait this weekend 👎

IMO YES this is the time. If I could go today I would but no fishing this weekend. I am starting the prebaiting on Sunday though 😎👍

Metal bait screw for single pop-ups though the plastic ones work fine too 👍

Amber is said to be a bit of a cover all, decent in all lights. I used to have Shimano with grey/blue lenses but lost those, they were good. My Fortis in Brown are not as good as the Amber, but I guess each has it's day

https://fortiseyewear.co.uk/product/overwraps/ I've just bought the normal wraps not the overwraps in Amber after recomendations. Overwraps go over your normal glasses aparently 👍

I cut a trip short last week it was just too hot, couldn't find the fish anywhere only the odd pasty in open water, the proper ones were obviously hiding deep in snags, no early morning shows, no crashing out, seemed dead. I'm not even starting the prebaiting until this hot period has passed, gonna have a break and have a dabble for perch on the river instead.

True mate, I'm at an age where my kids are grown up, I can do what I want and fishing is what I do. I had the same pod for 25+ years so a long overdue upgrade is how I saw it - no regrets. You only get one life as @thecarpcatcher would say! Good luck hiding your goodies 😂

I did use them on Bluebell, landed fish good hook holds - no issues, the only reason i'm not using them regular is that my multi rig just seems perfect with a choddy hook. They are sharp and strong and stay in better than a pure barbless would - which I guess may be why some venues chose to ban them?

Like that mate - I've seen some of the results of that level of thinking - top man! 😎👍

Very true lol I did a day stalking round my old club water when it flooded. After several hours of being fine I suddenly felt so sore from the sweat and rubbing that I couldn't carry on. I guess the best waders are what the trout anglers use with a sock not boot and breathable, but very expensive!

I'd agree with this - why bother on a hot summer break just go in with sandals and shorts or whatever, you'll dry off really quickly anyway. I have lost good fish messing about putting waders on due to easing off the pressure whilst doing so and after that you think why not just dive in? Have spare clothes - whats more important landing a banger or getting wet? PS do not get neoprene they are so hot its's unreal Have a lovely break 👍

So why do they hold predator competitions through the summer then at Grafham Res and such like? Do as we say not as we do!!!!! World Predator Classic 13th & 14th August Grafham Res? Plus we've seen Zander Pro etc etc all summer sport - what a joke

I've just splashed out on Jag Prolite 2 Plus 1 buzz bars, 6 bank sticks and stabilisers, plus if I don't want to use those set-ups I also got the compact pod base which works with all the other stuff. Basically this covers all situations I'm likely to face: singles, 2 rod bars, 3 rod bars or pod all in one compact case which fits in my rucksack. Very pricey but I'm worth it lol

You really have become fan boy 🤣👍

Doesn't the (Plus) mean the inclusion of Robin red in the Matrix mix? I went onto the Aminos Plus - but can't remember what the extra ingredients were.

I've just bought the Solar P1 Black version - 1st test - 2 out the snags locked up, no probs - too early to recommend but they are easy on the eye.

Saturday evening 😍

For my margin stalking I mostly use halibut pellets, tiny one's for the fizz and fast breakdown attraction and a few bigger ones and samples of the hookbait. Lots of attraction - very little visible food with it mostly being dark, works for me 👍

I agree with your sentiment and most often fish over small amounts of bait, fishing for a bite if you like, however I've also fished over big beds of mixed stuff: tigers, boilies, mixed pellets, maize, particle mix, hemp etc and had some good hits, the fishing improved day on day and they demolished the lot in a few morning hours. They can demolish huge amounts of bait when they want to. I'll be doing that again this summer if conditions seem right, depends on the time of year and many variables. When I go on a busy venue it's common to see people putting far too much bait in seemingly without any reasoning, just because they see others doing it, all year round too - it's frustrating!

How did you get on with it - any complaints? I also recommended to someone else and they bought it round last night so I could show them how I set mine up. Needless to say I was well impressed, it's hard to recommend a new version you don't own but I knew it would be great and I was not wrong IMO - I love it. A big 1 man, better poles, groundsheet, peak design, inner layer front panel addition (we took that out for now), new colour, lovely fabric. Saving up for this myself as the 2 man is a bit too big for some of the swims, this is the one for me for sure, will take by big bed, all kit and dog crate - bingo!

I've got one spod rod I use for both, 30lb whiplash to a 50lb braid leader. Just tied a clip to the end to swap from lead to spomb, or use the big loop method as described above.👍 I dont think I need the 50lb leader but I just had it on a pike reel so used it.

Yes Frank I'll be posting lots more pics for sure 👍

Risk it - you can always go to the park lake if things change? If they are not showing signs I can't see that changing this week with these temps. Could be June or July; I've seen it mid August I guess this lake is deeper than the others? Most of us are responsible enough to make the call for ourselves, annoying when you can see its not the right time for a particular water

The fish I've seen in 2 syndicate lakes are showing zero signs of spawning IMO, yet one was closed whilst I was there, which is annoying, fish simply following a new wind and mouthing fluff off the surface have either spawned already or are not even close to it - yet some wise guy says they are gathering!?!? We disagreed! Moved on to another lake and found fish slowly moving around the snags - again spawned already or not interested. If you're gonna make a call to close - try to get it right, the last week has been far too cold IMO and that's obvious. If you get a week of near 20 degrees and night time temps in double figures and see decent fish splashing about close then, not early because a couple of pasties have gone for it, what does that achieve - nothing at all!

More carp dog practice for Max - he is easier to handle at fishing than he is at home tbh - so far so good, this week I tried both dogs off lead whilst I barrowed to the swim - any fears he would run off were soon gone as he followed me close behind all the way - impressed! George wandered off as usual - not far but got told off several times, think he is trying to escape Max the poor old boy - not used to sharing.