kevtaylor

Super tricky time of year mate IMO

I think its nonsense to say that if you have cats you wont have prey fish, there is a balance found. Big cats are in Bluebell Lakes yets all hold good numbers of Tench, Bream, Roach , Perch etc and I've seen these prey fish masses on sonar in the winter so I know for a fact they are rich in prey, despite holding many huge cats, many! I was a young angler when they used to say kill Pike because they eat everything, I left one on the bank then thought hang on this is nonsense I'm never doing that again. It was ignorance on the part of the clubs or whoever was supposed to be running the venue. Predators will go for the weak first and foremost and that can be seen as a good thing for a healthy population. Biggest threat to prey fish is Cormorants, carp Otters. I'm not a cat fan at all btw

I fancy 3 nights if the standard is 2 👍

Seems like you've got everything covered, maybe a comb/brush coz they get sticky seed heads stuck to them. Good luck - hope it goes well. 👍

Oh I'd be bang up for that one, we are talking Ashmire here right? - i'd jump at the chance to fish there literally anytime, make that happen lads please please 😎👍

Was the first thing I thought but still not sorted one out deffo useful and protects the pole from grit, slight prob is that you might be moving it a lot, the angles you use through the day can change a little with the effects of the breeze, you can be relying on getting it out there quick and straight then drifting onto the spot with the breeze and that doesn't always go right first time either.

Got a baiting pole and bait boat, don't use either much but I love both. Baiting pole can get closer to trees and under branches that a boat cannot, also a lot quieter with no motor noise. The Nash one is the nuts as it's stable and limitless in length, I've got nearly 50 metres. The stealth side of it is amazing - dropping a rig on a bubbler cannot be beaten and for accuracy, only downside using in a heavy crosswind could be frustrating and having enough space behind for the made up sections. If you've pole fished in the match scene that will be useful experience. 👍

tbh I didn't have to raise my voice at Jack really, he tried chewing my sleeping bag but I caught him straight away so no damage. Max though now wants to play ball from dawn until dusk which is no big deal coz the swims are well spaced and it's quiet so not annoying anyone but he doesn't quite bring the ball all the way back then barks at me hurry up - such an annoying little bleeeeep. Male cockers, who'd have one/two? 🤦‍♂️ 😂 I think I'd leave the tennis balls at home if I went somewhere busy - or just take Jack lol

Double post

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Jacks first session, safe to say he loved it - no dramas - no kit chewed - success! Also seen his first fish - a tench, I'll take that in Feb 👍

I'm no expert but in my mind you've already got the reasons right there. Natural food could be being carried to the windward bank, but it's also migrating to the shallows now and maybe that's all that matters to the bugs - head for the shallows not necessarily the back of the cold wind and shallow, so effectively from what I've seen you have snails and other naturals coming right up into the edges and that's possibly where the first new algae grows for them to eat. Sun - again its warming up all of the water, we cannot claim to understand where the warmer water is ending up, or whether they always need or want to be there, the draw of food could be much stronger than comfort. Cold winds -again what feels cold to us is not necessarily the same for them, it could be freezing to us but a tiny bit warmer than previous days to them so they go off on the hunt for whatever. Just because it is said they are dormant in winter I have also had many many liners on a freezing Jan night when they moved from one end to the other with a wind change. I got the liners as they left then 2 guys got them when they arrived 300 yards further away. I'm going for my first night tomorrow, will be interesting, I imagine I will walk the back of the wind first but will be doing laps looking for any early spots showing up. The work begins - cant wait

Winter I tend to start at the back of the wind, but you can never write off the teeth of a cold wind even in the coldest periods, but yes it's definitely time that the fish are active and getting everywhere. As soon as the daylight hours are going the right way it's time IMO.

anywhere that would allow dogs would be important for me - sorry guys

I would be up for it - again depending on dates👍

Thanks mate, really looking forward to it, 3 weeks until his final jab so when it's nice and sunny we'll be out - can't wait but no rush it's gotta be warm. Better choose the far side of the big lake so they don't annoy anyone, I already know both will be in and out of the water all day, throwing sticks and tennis balls will be essential kit to keep them quiet, wear them out so no dramas around bite times. Think I'll be spending most of the time untangling 2 dogs on 50ft leads lol 🤦‍♂️😆

Jack and Max are getting on so well, I really thought Max was too young and crazy at 18 months to have as example to a younger puppy but he's stepped up in so many ways - so proud of him, the gentle giant! 🥰

I can't start this without paying tribute to my beautiful carp dog and best friend of 12 and a half years George. 29th June 2022 I had to make the gut wrenching visit to the vets knowing his little heart was giving up and we would be saying goodbye. Safe to say it ripped my heart out and left me devastated - all fishing trips since have felt forced as I lost the buzz. I cried my eyes out packing for the first trip and broke down, it wasn't the same but I got through it coz fishing is my life and I had my daughters dog Max to soften the blow a little on occasion. Months later and after a few rat encounters at a day ticket water - with them running right over the bivvy and eating a hole in the side I decided I needed a new dog, as this never happened on George's watch. Today I picked up Jack my new carp dog soon to be in training, prob best not to set up near me this coming year! Meet Jack a 13 week old show type Cocker

One last cast - sorry Ali lol

I've got the same but between my shoulder blades so it effects my arms, back and neck. When really quiet I can hear the bone on bone grinding when I turn from side to side. It also traps a nerve and I get pulses and shakes down my left arm. Happy days - just from lifting my son in an awkward position - only heard a little pop then days later the pain was hell, thankfully it seems to get less of a problem each year, your brain has to learn not to stiffen all the muscles up to protect the injury as this just makes it much much worse. That took about 5 years to re-program if you like - now I'm nearing 20 years since the injury, doc says I will need surgery - hopefully he is wrong. I stopped taking meds after a couple of years as they mess with your insides, just have to ignore the pain as much as possible.

Geoff Anderson Teddy Green - expensive but you get what you pay for 👍

You say not this guys fault? Of course it is - he didn't read up on it and in truth should have known better, very sad for the family but you cant blame anyone else.

Thankfully it's not up to you lol I will carry on with the lead clip because as you've pointed out, set up as I do it comes off - always! 👍

Leigh Steward-Day find him on Facebook, bought my modded boat from him and got good aftercare 👍