kevtaylor

Got down Fri night about 8pm, 3 of the swims down the windard end were taken and I didn't fancy fitting in between. I thought they might push them out anyway and with cold night temps they might make their way up the other end. Saturday 11am I see the first of around 15 - 20 shows over the course of an hour, some over the rods so wasn't a complete surprise when the left hander pulled up at 1pm. A low double common 12.4lb, female still full of eggs (fish are so behind due to the influx of cold water), so I was made up, another swim caught from and a spot found back in March. Sunday morning, they arrived at 10.30 with one crashing out against the island, then 3 subtle rolls at 11am just short of the rods. 11.15 I'm on the phone and notice the left hangers off and line out the clip but no bleeps whatsoever (no idea), pick up the rod and there's a weight on the other end and weeded up short of the spot, I pull it out and gain 10-20 yards and it's off, hook pull - damn! Interesting it was the left rod both times especially as the fish arrived from right to left. It was the only yellow bait - with corn in the mix so I'll take that forward next session, all 3 on yellow.

Thanks mate - thats a good tip if you're gonna cast with more force than usual, deffo worth trying 😎👍

Any method really but in situations where you can see them, work out their routes and hatch a plan. For me the excitement is off the scale, I give it my all, creeping about, up trees - one rod stalking off the top or in the edge setting little traps - you can't beat it. On the right water I'd rather do several day sessions, mobile roving than camp in one place. Stalking would be my favourite no doubt

I'd start with price point, what do you want to pay and which ones are in that category? What features would you be looking to add if any?

Albringht knot mate 👍

Hi mate, Initially I was using a coated braid, Suffix something or another but went onto ESP Tungsten Loaded which is 20lb I believe and really good. More recently using a doubled over piece of stiff Korda Mouthtrap Chod Filament in 25lb for the hook loop, with the Tungsten Loaded as the boom section. Either way I want the smallest hook end loop possible, prob 1 inch absolute max so it's as low as I can get it. Tight to get the hook on once the putty has been applied. I have used longer booms and hook end loops so it's a stiff hinge rig early season when fishing over silk weed, but the low version works well for me generally. Hooks are 4's or 6's Korda Choddy hooks or JPrecision Advanced Chods. You'll need to pull the hook loop through the hook eye with floss - it's a tight fit on the stiff version, but I do prefer it. Looking to adapt it for bottom baits at the mo. 👍

Yes out turned eye for a multi - not important for a Ronnie - not that I would ever use one.

I do like to move rods about depending on what I see through the session. On a busy day ticket you often end up fishing 3 on a spot as there's no other choice although that can be good sometimes, but then it's normally one rod outfishing the others, the spot within a spot.

2nd night a bust still no fish down the other end so a move today after trying floaters on the small lake for an hour. Can't get the swim I really want on this new easterly, but this is the nearest one, 2 rods very close to the point, 1k of mix over the top, one close on a single pink. New swim to me, had to open it up as noones bothered - hours work before setting up, deserve a fish for that, last night so fingers crossed 🤞

No fresh flooding no, but this swim has been under water since late last year I guess, been waiting for the land behind to dry out enough so I can fish it. Having done the night - I don't think they're down this end lol

Jack's settled after his dinner, he's so chilled for a young cocker. 🥰 Will be a different story when my dinner comes out of that cobb cooker though lol

Not a view from the bivvy door, but I just love how natural and neglected this pit is 🥰

Back out, another 3 nights, taken a swim that's unfished so far this year due to high water, on the end of the wind, feels banging, rods out, baiting done - come on Mr carp.

No cheating for you then lol Not taken mine since a social last year as not needed, however I have recently identified an area of massive interest to me where I will need the boat as no casting headroom whatsoever and I'm not opening it up for all to see. Cheat time!

It's only scanning right under the boat not an area as such, you have to pretty much go right over them to see them. Suspended plant matter doesn't help and gives false readings. Eye's first, tech second IMO

Sorry Joe we dont have to deal with them here in the UK - very rare, pet escapees. There is a small number on my current lake (terrapins) but they dont seem to cause any problems and live in one small part of the lake. I had 2 rods right by their tree snag overnight a few weeks ago and they didnt nibble the baits or anything, but then I didnt put any free bait offerings out so maybe they just didnt see my hookbaits to eat them?

Voucher for a well known tackle company. Bird torch - thats my new gadget. Carp Life do some useful stuff - check their website 👍

Seen them in mint condition for around £2500 👀

My mates got a set of the big blues, might have to tell him to cash in 👍

No not another baitrunner, it's the old school big pit that the likes of Tom Stokes still uses, like a silver/light blue. Power Aero or somwething like that, still fetch top money - too much money for what they are tbh

My kind of spot

Massively: winter, small traps handful of bait plus washed out freebies, squashed. Spring, single brights, zigs, maybe a few freebies scattered about like 10 per rod, maybe a little corn to up the visual attraction. Summer: up the baiting, maybe fill it in if conditions look right. Autumn, maybe fill it in but more likely start scaling back towards small traps.

Jack likes the rear security window lol