yonny

They do a blackcurrant one "Betalin & Black" that's supposed to be excellent. I've only used standard betalin so couldn't confirm.

A good choice mate 👍

Sabre: Stinga: You can see the curve of the Stinga closes the gape quite a lot.

Sounds fine although a clear line is defo best. An adjustable has to be set up running but it will have a degree of self hooking properties as you say mate. One thing I would add is that when it gets REALLY warm zigs are not always the magic answer. You still need to feed, and feed, and feed, to get their confidence up (same as you would on the surface). Zigs are at their best when it's warm with a real decent wind imo. When it's hot with no wind the carp just want to sunbathe unless you can get them going with prolonged feeding of mixers (and sometimes even that doesn't work).

Put some black foam on bro.

They're very different. The Sabre is basically the chodda but with an unturned eye. Could be considered a wide gape pattern. The Stinga is a curve shank, but not so aggressively curved as most others.

I agree mate. The spod reel takes some serious punishment and gets covered in bait. It's worth spending the extra to get something reliable.

Looks a minter as well buddy. Well done.

I think the Bling fish is actually quite a young one? I know a chap that had it a year or two ago. Don't think it was around when @emmcee fished it, if it was it would've been a little nipper?

I agree mate.

I think it's a good idea to leave them alone during AND after spawning. We spend all year taking advantage of one of the only things they need (food) to hook and land them, the least we can do is let them go about the other thing they need (to reproduce) without hassle. Not sure about that mate. The only time fish are NOT pregnant is a week or 2 after spawning. They immediately start rebuilding the ovaries and growing eggs. So if you don't want to fish for pregnant fish it's a case of giving up angling I'm afraid.

I agree, often you'll find there are many more fish in a water than you thought. Not always monsters either. This water I'm fishing is said to hold 30 originals and 30 stockies. Based on what I saw during spawning last year there are way more than that, it's just that many tend not to get caught.

Bear in mind the post you're replying to is 10 years old. A lot can change in that time fella.

Lovely colours mate.

Nearly correct. By law all peanuts (including bird food grade) have to be tested for aflatoxins to get into the UK. Assuming we buy from a reputable source they are all OK.

Totally agree mate. You'll take that mate. Well done.

Mid 40 common in the middle here.

That is very good advice. Even a lowly 20 mph wind feels like 40 by the time it's crossed these big open reservoirs. Just this winter I nearly got blown away in my Lo Pro. I bought a Tempest Air instead and bent all the poles on the first session in storm Ciara lol. Replaced that with a Tempest Brolly and am now very careful about how/where I set up.

It contains citronella 👍

💪Whallop!

Hows it looking Elmo? You seen owt?

Don't panic dude. I have experience with res fishing, you'll love it. First thing to do is completely ignore the advice of the manager (imo). Carp go where and do what they want. They may well feed mid water on fry from time to time but that is not how you should try to catch them imo. Carp are carp, and they like food (i.e. bait), so you should start with the method you're confident in. If that doesn't work start thinking about why it's not working and change accordingly. 10000 BRs will be fine mate (assuming you can hit your spots), you'll not run out of line, they are just normal carp in a bigger water. You will defo see them showing mate, but you might have to look harder. Basically you should approach it like any other water. First thing is to find them, don't even bother setting up unless you've done so or the blanks will soon mount up and you'll lose your head. Once you've found them, fish for them like you would any other carp. If you get the very basics right you will catch them. Don't over-complicate it. If over time you find they frequent certain areas, you can start pre-baiting and get good results very quickly. Have fun.

Baggy and tight - I've not heard action described like that before but is does actually describe how they feel lol.

I mean with a fluoro leader buddy, which is still widely considered 'naked'. You can certainly do it with fluro mainline but I'm not a fan tbh.

Tubing and helis doesn't work imo. The Korda heli/tubing kit was actually taken off the market as it was unsafe. If you want to avoid leadcore use fluoro imo. If you want to use Korda components then ideally you need: https://www.anglingactive.co.uk/korda-naked-chod-safety-system.html?sel=37448&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInNmAuv6t6QIVgrTtCh2few1-EAQYBSABEgIMpvD_BwE https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/korda-line-saver-bead?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq8yI1v6t6QIVRuztCh3C_ARxEAQYASABEgLZafD_BwE https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/korda-quick-change-ring-swivel-round?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt92c3_6t6QIViLPtCh2HjgyjEAQYASABEgIuUfD_BwE https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/korda-anti-tangle-sleeves https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/korda-heli-rubber There are hundreds of options out there tbh but this gives you an idea of what you need.