kevtaylor

I'd like a mat that's also a sling and can carry rods and net inside for stalking, trouble is this then doesn't have sides like a cradle. I don't want yet another mat, but one doesn't seem to do everything 🤷‍♂️

Sorry but I've disliked these raised-frame ones from the beginning, seem dangerous, stuff stabbing through from underneath or just the fish flipping out your hands and missing the thing or bashing itself on the frame. I ordered an Avid mat with sides but was out of stock so they sent me a Tracker one instead, it is bulky packed down to be honest but great for the fish. Might look for something smaller packed down - suggestions anyone?

I was gonna buy the spring one that pops off snags, but as this gives anyway it seemed sound 👍

I'd be targetting real close in that case 👍

£45 Jakes Rakes

Looks like a good margin stalking water to me, has it got some depth in the edges?

Got the same one, a mate recommended it thankfully, can see it being well used come summer 👍

Bought myself a weed rake from Jakes Rakes online, arrived in 2 days and looks the nuts - cost around £45 👍

Watched this, really good he's top notch. Was interesting having the otters on the pond, even that didn't stop him. Didn't he have The Croc and about 15 of his mates in his first 3 nights! Levels above. 🙌

I used bags quite a lot when I joined the last syndi, on one of the lakes I'd get lots of knocks as soon as the bag landed, fizzing the lot - then after 10 mins all quiet. I'd re-cast and the same happened. I'm convinced they were hiding in the weed coming out blowing the bag, eating the loose stuff then leaving just my hookbait. This went on all day and no takes. I've now got some mega 8ml barrel wafters in pellet flavour from CCMoore with exactly this in mind for later in the year. I also came up with a few ideas around decoy baits after this that I will use one day. Not giving too much away I think this will be a real winner.

Never used the method, however if I were on say Mallard lake Bluebell I'd be looking to re-cast maybe hourly or less depending on the situation. Might give it a go 👍

I use the stick late evening into dark, the damn gulls make it impossible otherwise. 👍

Recasting is a tough one, for a long time now I've tried to get the rods set and baited long before evening bite time - it feels like the big fish way, I wont touch them until late the following morning after bite time has finished, however if I'm getting occurances I'll check and recast at anytime. It does feel wrong watching people re-baiting and recasting late evening when they've had all afternoon to do this? I do find it very odd that on so many occasions I've reeled a cast in that was pretty much bang on, certainly good enough but something tells you to re-do it and bingo it was tangled or something not quite right - sixth sense? I think there are times I should recast definately, but probably too set in my ways, depends on the water to a degree I think. Reading other comments, at first light I really dont want to recast which is mental torture if you think you may have been done, but very unlikely to reel it in until much later, sometimes too late.

They caught 3 on Bluebell Lakes without licences last week. They've also requested and been given the access codes to my current syndicate complex - which is a first according to the manager.

If what you're doing now works just start with that on any new venue. Method feeder has gotta be one of the most under used tactics today, yet it works a treat, don't fix what isn't broken as they say. Take that elsewhere I can see it being an edge! Change things when you see a problem not to follow a trend or for the sake of it and enjoy learning it's a journey (never ending). 👍

This side looks knarly already lol Some lake ❤️

New swim, more work done, a fish but overall frustrating 48hrs. The quicker they spawn the better imo.

Mind boggling session on the syndi, arrived 6am Friday to beat the crowds and more importantly beat the long awaited weather change to westerlies. Whilst the lake was fairly busy noone was at the East end of the lake and I got the swim I had hoped for. The Easterly wind had died off and it was nice and calm whilst I quickly found some spots with the boat as you can't cast left with the overhangs. It was very weedy at 5ft to half way across but then when it dropped into an 8ft gulley the weed became more clumps with clean holes dotted about. I got 2 rods out and was baiting the last when the first was away after 10 mins and I landed my first of the year - a cracking little stocky, already looking nice and dark. The wind started up soon after and to cut a long story short I spent the next 48 hours watching the most banging conditions of the spring come to absolutely nothing, they just didn't turn up as expected. Plans to do an extra night were ditched Sunday lunchtime. I can only assume they are waiting to spawn somewhere out of sight, come Sunday afternoon the lake was almost empty.

Yes I got some after my mate did, rods are lovely but you have to expect a decent wait. Got blanked after when I asked him to do me a matching landing net handle. I'm having these re-built at The Tackle Box, changing reel seats, new rings, the lacquer has gone so the whipping is clouding up overnight. A lot of love for the Torrix TE Specials so they're getting a makeover. ❤️

48 hour social at Bluebell lakes. Sandmartin Lake. Managed one on the first evening but despite looking good for more the following day no more bites.

` Sounds just like the Chris Orme experience

So far my plans have gone totally the wrong way, trying to complete a side job through March - April with fishing in May at the forefront of my mind, it's turned out I should have fished then and put the job off till May - June with the hot-still weather and now new members and other lake members on top it feels like a bit of a disaster at such an early stage. Really think the bulk of my syndi fishing has to be Sept - April, hardcore through early spring when it's nice and quiet. This place is busy May until whenever the weed gets up lol

I was back home by 9.15 pm, lap of 2 lakes, swims I wanted gone, could have stayed and fitted in but thought better of it, going Bluebell Sunday anyway. Wrong attitude but bit fed up with members from other lakes being allowed to fish ours coz theirs is flooded. I can see why a mate fishes a nature reserve with 5 fish in it now, seems crazy but its you verses them nobody treading on your toes 🤷‍♂️

This is what I've realised 👍 Must be an age thing coz it seems that every year I forget what my main meals were on the bank in the previous years, suddenly I haven't got a clue what to take. Going late tonight and it's steak, new potatoes and peas Friday night, then back home Saturday and planning the meals for a 2 night social at Bluebell Sun - Weds. Weathers looking good for the following weekend down the syndi again, westerlies and rain - fingers and toes crossed for that one, gonna be there Thurs night for first dibs on swims for the long weekend 😎

Sorry but 6 for £2.37, looks like an essential tackle purchase to me: