yonny

I agree, they are a very primitive design really. I'm sure they work to a degree but nowhere near as well as we think they do.

It's completely natural for carp to use the margins on most lakes bud.

To connect the stiff to the soft? I don't think it matters that much buddy. Both with and without a swivel will work well.

Exactly mate. I first read that phrase in Terry Hearns book many years ago. Me and a mate adopted it. It sounds best when you have the biggun in the net..... "see, it only takes one bite"!!!😃

Hi mate. It means the lead must be able to come off in the event of a snag (so drop off lead clip systems are perfect). By the way..... FTM🔴⚪🔴⚪💪

It's up to you mate. Do what you enjoy. I am also going through a lean spell on a hard water but I know that all I have to do is put a hookbait in front a feeding fish (trickier than it sounds sometimes) and I will catch. If I keep going it will happen. When it does I'll be buzzing. I've struggled before and I'll struggle again. It's just part of fishing for special fish. Earlier in the year I went on a social to a day ticket lake. I caught a bunch. Did I get the buzz? Of course not lol. It was fun but I was bored after the 2nd or third fish and was thinking about my hard water.

Have a go with 6s buddy. Good for smaller fish too mate and you tend not to lose them which is always a risk with zigs👍

Deep waters tend to shut up shop in winter, they hold those cold temps and even the best conditions cant warm them up. Shallower waters have the chance to respond to higher winter temps. Either way, I've spent many a winter on low stock pits. One fish a year is a mega result. Most years it's no fish. If you have the balls then go for it but nowadays I tend to go for higher stocked waters in winter. Any fish is a result when the temps drop imo. Good luck bud👍👍

They dont show you the blanks on social media. Dont go thinking the top boys dont blank because they do. Fish for yourself buddy. It's not a competition. Focus on your own fishing and enjoy it. Your time will come🐋

As a very experienced winter angler I'd recommend finding a significantly shallower, higher stocked pit to target. But it's your call buddy 👍👍

When you have a real biggun or special one the look one your face in the pics is the last thing on your mind tbh. I try to smile but sometimes it comes out as a grimace 😂

Not according to the fish I've caught on it buddy. Carp dont know what a hook is imo.

Big for me. 2s and 4s. I use 6s for zigs.

Well I guess you can't get much surer than that 🤣

That's news to me mate. You sure you're not on about the Fox NTXRs? They had a well documented issue with sticky cases on the first models.

A couple of quid.... 3 quid..... I don't think an extra 100 pennies makes mush of a difference. I am not trying to disagree or anything buddy but I think any business charging 3 quid a day for kids and/or adults doesn't deserves to be called rip-off merchants. In this day and age 3 quid for a day out is pretty good if you ask me.

3 quid a rod. I'd say that's an absolute steal for adults rather than a rip-off for kids.

No harm in giving it a go buddy but I think you're bamboozling yourself. Imo your multi would do the job perfectly well and you can't get much easier than that👍 Rigs, within reason, aint that important imo. It's putting them in front of feeding fish that is the make-or-break factor.

No it wont buddy. A hook is basically spring. It can flex a lot until it yields. As long as the yield strength is not exceeded during testing of rigs the hook cannot be weakened in any way. Once the yield is exceeded (i.e. if the hook bends even slightly) the hook will weaken significantly. Some guys modify hooks be bending them - it's a bad idea. But testing rigs to the point the hook is "near bending" is absolutely fine👍

I think it's because the photo is a record of the fish, not the angler. Which I totally get. But I agree, doesn't hurt to smile.

Me too, without a doubt mate. It's not possible to really tune into a water when fishing with mates imo. I love a good social but my 'proper' fishing is done on my own. I'm miles more effective as an angler when it's just me giving my all.

You have targeted/caught big fish from tricky waters Nick so you know all about the dedication required. That comment surprises me from you. I always smile in my trophy shots. Some don't. I do not believe that should open them up to questions about their source of motivation. Those who have been there and done it should know full well that numbers and sponsors are simply not enough to put yourself through what it can take to catch some of these fish. End of the day if you don't ABSOLUTELY LOVE the thrill of the chase, the highs and lows, the hardships and the successes..... you simply will not succeed in targeting big fish (unless you choose to fish and instant big fish water full of fake bigguns - which will no longer get you a sponsor in this day and age). Imo the suggestion that numbers and sponsors are on the mind of a guy that has just caught a fish he's spent weeks/months/years working for is quite ludicrous and for me shows a massive underestimation of the dedication these guys posses. Those that have not been there and done it should have a go before passing judgement on those that do. Targeting big fish is tricky, it can be rock hard in fact, and most simply don't enjoy angling enough to hack it.

Yeah that makes me chuckle that one. With carp angling you either get it or you don't. And trying to explain it to someone that doesn't get it is impossible.

Family comes first, always. I take pride in my life balance. But if I lose a target fish you will see me upset. VERY upset😂

The definition of angling is "the sport or pastime of fishing with a rod and line". I think that just about sums up my approach.