yonny

There's loads of room in the VASS mate. If you don't fancy them check out the OCEAN ones. Very good. As a third choice check out the PROS WADERS. Not as good imo but some guys rate them.

I tired it on toast once. The rest went to the carp lol.

Defo on them then mate. Silt is a funny one. When carp feed in silt they don't just grub around on top, they bury themselves gill deep to get at the bloodworm it contains. Therefore it shouldn't really matter if you're hook bait is buried in the silt. That said, it can be tricky to feel confident when you know your bait is buried. I'd just start with a slightly longer hooklink than usual and go from there. Pepper some pellets over the top, job done.

Not used them but a close mate got the heavy version (3.5 13 ft I believe). He found them to be overly soft which could mean the lighter version might suit what you're after 👍

Where as mine went back to Delk for repair 3 times in 3 years due to water ingress before I ditched them and got the Fox's🤷‍♀️

None of it matters unless you were on the fish and you haven't mentioned this mate. Were you seeing activity on your spots? Were they defo feeding over you? Your focus should be on getting the swim/spot right. The rig should be chosen to suit the area on which they're feeding👍

It was a crazy fish. You'd find it easily from up the trees, it was like a breeze block. Then one day it just seemed to disappear. Was never found.

🤣Brilliant. Such a lovely little water.

Is that Pearly? If it is, I had that off the top a few years back. Real nice kipper.

I'm not sure why anyone would do this but each to their own. That is 100% luck imo.

That's clever thinking mate. I like it.

Agreed mate - convenience and versatility. How else are you going to fish at distance? And don't you dare say bait boat 😂😂😂

I agree with many of your points but disagree about the luck aspect. A good angler will make sure he can find and fish for feeding fish. He'll not just hope that he's landing on a shoal of them. It doesn't matter how good your bait is if you're not on the fish. Regards tackle I agree that much of it is irrelevant unless you need it for a specific application (distance fishing for example). However, there are some thing that just shouldn't be skimped on and they are lines and hooks - the bits that catch the carp. Also not worth skimping on bait imo. I'm not sure about the States but here in the UK we have incredibly rich pits of various descriptions, most of which are heavily pressured. Therefore you tend to be competing with huge larders of natural food as well as numerous other anglers. There are plenty of cheap baits that will compete (corn and pellet for example) but if you need the advantages offered by boiled baits it's worth spending some money - cheapo boilies will not compete on anything other than overstocked commercials. Carp fishing is meant to be whatever the individual wants it to be. Some will happily set up in a nice spot and see what comes along. Others will go out there and make it happen. There is no right or wrong. Do what you enjoy 👍 Excellent first post btw mate.

Assuming we're talking about the Island lake, changing to bottom baits made a massive difference on there for me👍. Also hemp made a big difference. That's not the case mate. As you've said, carp get caught every day on the heli.

Very good bait back in the day. I'd love to think it's the same recipes but I doubt it if I'm honest. Alan would qualify as one of carp anglings true legends. RIP. No mate. If they're feeding on the bait and you're not getting takes it's more likely a presentation issue. Hitting single beeps is imo clutching at straws and not addressing the real problem (whatever that may be).

Jesus Christ @framey, those stories are proper harrowing!!!!

Depends how much abuse it gets mate. If you're weed fishing and there's lots of abrasion it's probs a good idea to cut off the last few meters regardless of what line you use 👍

Without doubt Gardner HydroTuff mate, it's a weed/snag line with low stretch and indestructible abrasion resistance. There is not a better line for what you've described above.

All true I believe mate. I understand there's a mental hospital next door and the inmates are found wandering the banks now and again lol. Defo a unique place.

Very good suggestion.

Mine too 😅

You sure you're doing it right buddy? It literally couldn't be any easier when done correctly.

You could but it'll likely get a bit kinked. I'd avoid it. Nah, the bag would drag the chod down into the weed/debris. You really want a chod resting as gently as possible on top of any debris. You might be better off applying your freebies using a different method (spod, stick, catty etc).

You'll need a shock leader to give it the beans with a 3.25 and 12 lb line imo buddy.

Just be careful as a heavier lead can drop right through any silt giving you a false belief that the spot is cleaner than it is. Imo a spod rod is perfect as a marker. You want it nice and stiff as it gives good feedback. Also means you can mark up at range.