yonny

Fair play fella

I didn't question if it would work buddy, or if it was any good. I asked if you would be confident having next to no idea what bait you're using. Absolute confidence in bait, for me, is top of the tree in terms of importance. Bait is the one thing that you simply should not have to question during your decision making processes. The randoms are basically over-runs of custom mixes so they could be fishmeals, birdfoods, milks, in any number and combination of flavours, with numerous different attaractors added. They say it's just freezer baits but I guarantee you the over-runs of the shelfies get chucked in too. I've no doubt they're all decent baits but I bet you the first thing you'll question when the going gets tough is the bait. Who wouldn't? I'd use them for pre-baiting but there's no way you'd find me fishing with anything other than something I had absolute confidence in.

You would be confident having next to no idea what bait you're using?

That. I whacked a load in some dodgy old mainline glug (bound to be glycerin based) with a load of Goo I had knocking around. Must be 4 years old and still going strong believe it or not. There's some brazils in there too, also still good enough to eat.

Trent Baits do them I believe.

@greekskii the boots suggested in @dayvid's post are about as warm as you'll get for winter wellies imo bud.

I captured a Kingfisher on my rods this year, finally, a really good pic too, only took me 20+ years lol

I use them all winter but I wouldn't consider them full on winter boots Vik. The lining is surprisingly warm for its weight but they'll not keep your feet toasty in really cold conditions. Imo the key to warm feet in winter is keeping your body warm. Once your body temps start to drop, blood will not be pumped to the extremities (fingers, toes) as effectively as it would normally. Rather it is used to maintain core temps. Therefore, if you can keep your core body temps up, the body will pump warm blood around the hands and feet keeping them warm. I've been through loads of options for keeping feet warm in winter (various socks and boots etc) but the most effective solution by a mile was thermal salopettes. They keep the legs/body toasty which in turn keeps the feet warm. You can get the Snugpak ones for less than 100 quid on the bay which seems pricey but once you've used them for a winter you'll think they're a bargain, believe me.

@crucian I use them myself. Silly light, surprisingly warm, and cheap as chips.

Absolutely @bluelabel. Most people think fishing is just about catching fish. It's not. Catching is obviously a big part of it, but what you're talking about is just as important imo. With a baby on the way my fishing time will be severely limited this next few years. I can handle not catching fish but I really do worry about how I'll cope without the sunrises and the mist crawling across the surface. It's what keeps me sane!

I don't think they don't appreciate it, I just don't think they realise it's there. That's not just the younger generation either. Those moments that us anglers take for granted, the sunrise and the awakening of nature that comes with it..... most people never see that. And they think we're the weirdos lol.

I thought you could. But I'm also no expert lol.

You're sure you're not using micro swivels? I've never seen a hook ring swivel that won't fit a size 2, let alone an 8.

Carp tackle firms don't make shoes/boots. They just put their badge on stuff from China and sell them at 5 times what they're worth. If you want decent boots go to a firm that makes boots mate. Merrel or Salomon or someone like that.

Agree. I think growing up having fished for carp and carp alone can lead to a blinkered approach. Those that have fished for different species in a variety of waterways will be more adaptable. That said, you also see certain skills amplified. I've seen young guys on day ticket waters that have grown up using zigs as they couldn't afford bait as nippers. Their zig skills are something else. Honed to perfection.

Both. They're hand stitched so all a little different. I am generally a large so bought my SJ9 in L and it fits perfectly. I think I was lucky though - lots of guys have to try 2 or 3 to get the right one.

They are the same boot mate. Navitas ripped them off (same supplier), whacked their badge on them, and sell them for cheaper. Hence, get the Navitas - same thing but cheaper.

I actually back off on pellet in winter. Nowhere near as effective as in summer due to the high oil content in cold water, depending on what type you use obviously. It was me yes mate, see below. As long as you keep them dry and cool, sealed as best you can, they'll be ok for up to a year mate. https://www.fishingbaitworld.co.uk/skretting-elite-trout-pellets-85mm-25kg.ir

Pellets are a good one for keeping in the car lads. You can fit kilos and kilos in an airtight bucket and they last all season. A few tins of corn are a must too!

That. Some peoples approach is fundamentally flawed for me: Agree, and this is where this discussion becomes irrelevant. It doesn't matter what baiting tactics one uses if that is the approach one takes. It doesn't matter whether it's island, open water, margins..... the rod'll not go if there's no carp there. It's just pure luck what happens. We need to fish (i.e. bait) where the carp are prepared to feed. It can take time to establish where that is, but once you've found it, smash the rods over there, fill it in, and start getting excited!!!

Likewise, you only need to run out of bait half way through the session of a lifetime once to learn that lesson lol. Same here mate.

Spodding is my least favourite method in practise but it's probably the method I use the most. The water I've been fishing really requires it for best results.

I think it's supposed to prevent unwanted movement once the hook is engaged in the flesh Phil. Don't think they claim that it adds to mechanics in anyway. @nigewoodcock would know?

You see all of these will work on their day but a good angler knows when to use them. A good angler has all of the above up their sleeve and uses them when suitable to make the most of the situation in front of them. Those that write off heavy baiting are sacrificing bites in certain situations. Lots of bites. That's a fact imo. Similarly, heavy baiting in the wrong situation will kill it stone dead.

Prefer the catty at close quarters, the stick for area-baiting at longer range, and the spod for baiting tight at longer range. All depends on what the fish are doing innit. If they're shoaled up in the middle then I'm not going to be using the catty close is. My preferred method is the one that gets the bait to to the fish I'm fishing for. If we spin the question round and ask what type of fishing situation I prefer, it's definitely close quarters with the catty. Up close and personal stuff, if I can see the spot from up a tree, and can see them feeding, I'm happy as Larry.