yonny

I strongly disagree bud. IMO it is far more precise using your hands. When using forceps the slightest movement of the hand can result in significant movement of the forcep tips, which in turn means significant movement of the embedded hook. I only use them when I'm struggling by hand.

I use a heli set up for everything apart from zigs and adjust the top bead position to suit the substrate. In general, the weedier the deck is, the smaller the lead I'll use (taking distance into account, obviously). Have to say I'm not particularly fussy about lead type unless I'm chucking long (which is rare).

BOOYA!! Well done fella. Happy days.

My take on zigs: I use zigs more and more each year and catch more as a result. Last year there were at least 2 sessions on which I would have blanked if it wasn't for the zigs. I don't always go straight under the surface like most do, in fact I normally start by splitting the depth into thirds and fishing one at the bottom of the middle third and one at the top of the middle third (particularly at night). Only on the brightest days do I pop one under the surface and even then it's only when there's a breeze on the water and I can see carp in the very upper layers. I don't find zigs are the answer when they're milling about on top on the hottest, calmest days. I use the Fox zig alingers with balck foam which are great over a hatch but have also had success on tiny bright 10 mm over-flavoured pop ups. I use lead clips with the smallest lead I can get away with. It pays to drop the lead (I'm not a fan of dropping leads but it's necessary with zigs - it's horrible playing them with a lead attached and I've dropped fish because of it). I avoid the pre-stretched zig lines, they have next to no abrasion resistance so can't deal with the weed in the Nene Valley - I discovered this the hard way. My mate put me onto X Line in 10 lb as a zig line and it's been absolutely brilliant. As said, the hardest bit about zigs is getting your head round it. I used to try it for an hour here and there but would think I was wasting a rod. It wasn't until I'd caught a few I dared keep them out for longer periods. The trick is to use them for a reason rather than for the sake of it - most guys only whack one out when they're struggling on the deck. I'll put them out where I know there should be carp (e.g. when I can see them from the trees, see a hatch, or can see them topping over bait but can't induce a take). I find chucking a zig at a showing fish is at least as effective as chucking a single (e.g. a pop up) at them, probably more so. They are very, very effective fished two thirds depth off the deck a meter or two off the entrance to any shallow areas or bays. Again, I find you need a breeze on the water, regardless of time of day or season, for them to work really effectively. I never put freebies out, just attracts the bird life. I still struggle to get my head round them a little bit - even if I've caught 4 on zigs and none off the deck I still refuse to put all the rods on zigs, I always need one on the deck. Crazy I know.

Geez I too think leading around scares carp but you should still go with the intention of catching them. It only takes one carp to come swimming along 5 mins after you've finished messing about to end up with a fish in the net. I've caught loads of carp very shortly after frothing the water to a foam. As long as the rig is presented there's ALWAYS a chance mate.

Wading is the easiest way to find spots IMO. You'll often find me wandering up and down the margins poking around with my weigh crook. Certainly sounds like a crazy session and seems you'll have gained some good info. Now you just have to put it to good use!

Here's a question: Is it possible to over-balance a bait? If a bait takes a minute to settle could that not render the rig ineffective under turbulence? With a couple of bigguns swimming around the hookbait could the disturbance in the water send it flapping around all over the place rather than sitting patiently on the deck? We've all seen light food items (hemp for e.g.) being kicked up during heavy feeding activity, could the same happen to a bait balanced so well it's almost weightless? Not saying it will, just after opinions.....

Honestly, I don't think it matters that much. newmarket is spot-on, each wafter is different. As long as the hook is at least partially on the deck it's fine for me. I'd probably prefer the eye to be lifted slightly but wont start messing around if it's sitting flat. The critical bit for me is that that hookbait is lighter than the freebies, which it will be assuming the wafter is a half decent one..... At the end of the day we've all caught loads of carp on bottom baits straight out of the bag so I prefer to concentrate more on where I'm putting the bait rather than worry about a couple of millimeters here or there off the deck.

You know the score fella. It's not uncommon to hit a new water and struggle early doors, I'd go so far as to say it's normal. I actually think that's an important part of the story on any given water - it's supposed to be difficult, that's why we do it. All those blanks are time spent learning. At some point all those things you've learned will come together and you'll have a fish in the net.... and the longer the initial struggle goes on the better you'll feel when that happens. First fish from a tricky venue is always a massive buzz - happiness, achievement and relief all rolled into one. You can also rest safe in the knowledge that once you've caught one, more WILL follow - because if you know what has caught before you know what can catch again...... Looking forward to the next update.

Exactly what I thought when I got mine. I remember seeing a comment on a forum when I was researching them - some guy said his vision was clearer/sharper with them on than it was without them - I thought what a load of you-know-what, but, when I got them, I could see what he meant. They're just brilliant....

No idea bud but I do remember seeing recommendations on forums when I was researching the Costas. A quick Google should give you some ideas - check the fluff chucking forums.

You wont regret it bud.

I've been through all the cheaper brands (and a couple of the more expensive ones) over the years and last year took the plunge and bought some Costa Del Mar 580G's. They're not just a bit better than the others, they're a million miles ahead IMO. Not cheap, but defo the most effective. Even the plastic lens ones (580P) were better than anything else I've tried, but the 580G's (glass lenses) are on a completely different level. If you truly aren't bothered about cost go and find a stockist and try them - I almost guarantee you'll but them on the spot. They're made for angling where most of the other top end brands are not. p.s. the lifetime warranty makes the cost a little easier to swallow.

Call it what you want fella. It's fished up the leader, like a chod, but constructed like a HSR.

I get round this by either fishing the chod on a short boom (like a short HSR) or tying a stop knot between the hooklink and the lead.

Hmmmm I've avoided this discussion on this and other forums as I'm on the fence. I don't use them myself for the reason you state but the more I think about it the less I'm averse to their use. IMO the safest rig is the one that lands the fish safely and I do believe the system will give you a better chance of that. If you get snapped off the line will no longer be tight therefore the leadcore could still fall under its own weight and become snagged allowing the fish to escape. Like I say, not entirely convinced either way so will continue to avoid for the time being.

You do not want to know mate. Check the group page on FB - It's closed but you should be accepted. It's all on there, warts and all. Nightmare.....

Brilliant Next up - a new bivvy lol

The Specialised Hookbaits are lovely but don't expect them to catch you carp from spots that other baits won't. None of those fancy baits will do that fella. If I was you I'd go in with any old half decent (but cheap) bait, put it about a bit, and work out the areas the carp are happy to feed. Once you've done that it's time to start chucking the good (i.e. expensive) stuff in to really get them going. Bait is just one part of the jigsaw. IMO (and I know some will disagree) it plays a lesser part than we carpers traditionally thought. I truly believe if you have feeding fish in front of you almost any half decent bait will work. It sounds to me like it's the rest of the jigsaw you should be concentrating on at this point. Your priority should be finding the areas from which they are catchable. The most expensive bait in the world wont catch owt if it's in the wrong spot bud.

The Simon Scott article was available on the old baitworks website. I can't see it on the new one.

My problem is I've developed a phobia of using anything else once I've found a hook that works for me. Last year I dabbled with Nash hooks in the spring and lost a couple fish - in the bin they went and back onto the Atomics (no idea why I changed in the first place tbh, just liked the look of the chod twisters for HSRs). I only chucked one more rig out all year without an Atomic hook attached - it was a multi rig with Drennan Conti on (again, no idea why I changed, I was just tinkering for the sake of it....idiot) - had a run and proceeded to lose an upper 30 common at the net to a hook pull. Would have been a PB common..... Therefore I simply don't dare try these new ESP hooks unless everyone and their mum starts raving about them when they're released. I really like the look of them, just too scared to try them. As the old saying goes - If it aint broke, don't fix it....

http://esp-carpgear.com/news/e-s-p-cryogen-a-hook-revolution/ I've heard of the treatment used to harden these and believe it's the first time it has been used for hooks - if it's done well these could be a genuine step forward. It'll be interesting to hear feedback when they're released.

There's a lesson to be learned right there bud - If you've had what you believe to be inquiries on a given spot and you're not 100% sure what the bottom's like, always find out at the end of the session. All it takes is a couple of casts with a bare lead - and you're one up in preparation for your next sesh! I'd say I do more marking at the end of sessions than I do at the start. I agree that on 'proper' waters marking up can spook the carp - therefore if I can get a drop and I know I'm on fish it's good enough for me - but I never walk away without having a quick chuck to determine the substrate.

When you put it like that I suppose I check every hook too. Not sure that's an effective test fella, you have no defined pass/fail criteria. A hook that passes may fail once you've had your weetabix....

You mean you test every single hook? Or you test a given brand/pattern prior to using? How do you test them fella?