yonny

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.

Nope, not worth swapping imo. Why get rid of a rod that can do everything and replace it with a rod that can only do what you need it to at this moment in time? So why go shorter mate? You will hit 80 with short rods, but not much further with accuracy Imo.

Sharpest on the market. Fact. I've used a few of Jason's, I love the Specialist Sharpened Choddas. They're evil sharp. Price is evil too but you get what you pay for. Again, these are a one-fish hook but if you're after a special fish these are the ones.

They are a single-use hook for sure mate.

If Farlows and Orchid can be considered Southern then you absolutely have to consider Christchurch on the Linch Hill complex. Some of the best looking carp in the country imo.

Burghfield Blue Pool?

Hell of a fish mate👌

That☝️ I never put more than 250 yards of new line on my UK spools, the rest is just cheapo rubbish line to pack the spool out.

Agree, it's a real good'n. I liked his second one too. To the OP: Oz Holness' book is really good. Darrel Peck's is better than I thought it would be too, brutally honest in parts. A quick fix for inspirational stories is Forgotten Chapters by Gaz Fareham. It's basically a bunch of guest chapters about special captures. Really, really good. However, 8-10 quid won't get you these👎 @emmcee There's a chapter about Dinton in Forgotten Chapters and there's a pic of a bloke with an awesome 44 lb mirror. Unless I'm mistaken. is that you????

I did that for years. I now put 3 where the fish are. Catches me loads more lol.

It's not a system though buddy. He'd need the Hide-Out. Tempest Brolly v2 is a good suggestion.

I see this asked a lot. It's a no-brainer. As long as you can fish 3 rods effectively in a given swim, you should use 3. It's not an extra chance imo - it's an extra fish, or more, if used correctly when on the fish. I carry 3, if a swim is too small to use 3 effectively I'll use 2. Sometime I'll use just one in a diddy little corner under a bush. But the fact of the matter is if I can fish 3 effectively I will do - it catches more fish. Simple fact buddy!

Nothing to see here then lol

They just followed up their marker, spod and zig vids with one about weed fishing. On youtube now. Very interesting stuff (although nowt we didn't know already tbh), worth a watch lads.