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G'Day Greg, If you do mate it to QLD, there will be only limited availability of decent carping. Most of the good fishing is in the southern states associated with murray darling river system and a few other rivers...Definately bring as much gear as you can, but be careful to follow AQIS rules.... http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/travel/entering-australia/didymo There is a burgeoning carp fraternity in Australia so rest assured once here you will have opportunities to catch some amazing fish, in awesome surrounds, with great mates! Take it easy, Ben

G'Day Bruce, Not sure if I've had the pleasure but welcome and much appreciate your enthusiasm! If you are serious about setting up a commercial operation ie specimen lake I think you'd have some interested bods about for sure; myself being one of them. It has been my dream ever since embracing this wonderful sport to set up my own specimen lake. If you ever want to pursue this seriously, let me know, I am similar in my expectations too. No massive profit in it but the absolute pleasure of managing a water? Priceless!! I have no doubt either that with Australia's environment, the growth rates of the local strains, and maybe the odd 'special' stocking it would be possible to develop a world class fishery. Keep us posted, Mate. Dare to dream! Take it easy, Ben

G'Day John, I must say it was an absolute pleasure being on the bank with you, and thanks again for the invite to your 'fun fishing' spot! It was probably the most idyllic spot I have ever fished, just magical. What you forgot to mention was that you gave me a lesson in situation specific angling! Was it 8 fish to my blank?! I think so, possibly more!! Can't wait to get back down there mate, possibly weekend after next if it suits you? Thanks again, great company, great day, lovely fish! Take it easy, Ben p.s. I'll be leaving the broomsticks at home next time!!

Hey John, Sorry I missed your call the other day. We must get on the bank together soon!!! Are you sure about that weight? That would be one heffalump indeed! If documented would be an Aussie record. Don't go telling anyone where that spot is or you'll have all and sundry down there trying to either bonk it on the head or fry it up for dinner!! Been chucking the bait in my favourite swims recently as well hoping for the big Autumn lumps to show their faces. Hope springs eternal indeed!!! Take it easy, Ben

G'day and welcome to the forum! If you've indeed had a flood event, depending on the water quality prior, there could be a massive change in the water quality since. Especially if the lake is subject to run-off from surrounding estates etc. This will definitely put the fish down for awhile. It's a bit hit and miss though, if the influx in new water stirs up the water column releasing need food into the system then you could see an increase in feeding behaviour. Too much agitation of the system could see a 'black water' event or close to which would shut down the system completely. I'd wait till there is some consistent calm high pressure weather patterns. Bait up during this time and then fish the change of pattern ie. Low pressure front. This will give you a better idea of whether the fish are still there. It's also mid summer when feeding rates of carp do plateau, in the next couple of months you'll see an increase in feeding leading into winter. Spawning is definitely over until late Nov/Dec so you can rule that out I would reckon. Hope this helps, Ben

Top work Andy!!! You just keep on keeping on mate, your dedication has to be admired. Two great results mean a proper red letter day! I always enjoy reading your posts, and find solace in your endeavours that keep me trudging out the door at ungodly hours to top up my spots. Nice gut on that 16 too mate, hungry bastard!! Congratulations again on your Aussie PB! Take it easy, Ben

G'day Jan, As the boys have let you know, it will be a whole new kettle of fish for you when you arrive. Can't fault one piece of advice they have given you. Prepare your gear properly and you'll sail through AQIS, that may be the easiest part of your carp quest in Oz! I have done a bit of scouting around Brissie and the Gold Coast and can point the way to a couple of spots. Mind you these were before the floods but hopefully the fish didn't get flung too far and wide. QLD is hard for regular angling opportunities and you may have to travel several hours west and/or south to get into better fishing. There are big fish in Oz, but we don't give them name and they're not in overfished mud puddles, in fact you'd be hard pressed for anyone to tell you where they are at all but that's another story!! But we are a brotherhood of committed anglers and once we know you we will help when/how we can to get your bobbins swinging!! Cheers, Ben

Cracking read as always mate, sounds like you are really covering the ground down your way. I take it most of your exploration is by kayak? Love it that you are just plugging away, my kind of fishing. Keep at it mate, I'm sure the carping gods will shine on you soon! Take it easy, Ben p.s. just looking back over your posts...I am loving those tiles man...groovy!

G'day Pitch and welcome to the forum mate! I've been a bit quiet on here as have been relocating back to home soil from the UK. Epic! That cruc/common, certainly has different features than your normal boolarra strain...almost king carp like tbh...nice fish! Nice mirrors too.. oohh I'm starting to itch now waiting for my tackle to arrive from London!! Cheers, Ben

Steve, Some absolute beauties there!! I recognise you from somewhere....hhmmmm!! Prof, Welcome to the forum and nice fish!! PM sent. Cheers, Ben

When I move back with my gear there may may need to be some minor alterations and Macgyver machinations! I'll know who to call for help though, Paul. You Aussie carpers sure are ingenious!!

Well, this one did indeed go like the proverbial!! I like to call him 'Silent Bob' mainly for the reason that someone 'who shall remain nameless' forgot to switch on the delk after recasting. As I glanced a lazy eye over my setup some minutes later I noticed my rod had an alarming sideways bend and the line was scything thru the water like a hot knife thru butter!! After a mad scramble and quite a few sweaty moments....viola...PB!! Stoked!

Steve, I don't know if you're having a subtle boast or not.... but double figure mirrors are a little special in anyone's book especially fully scaled. So you really are gonna have to back up those claims with some photos! Gotta say I really enjoy this sudden influx of photos too!! My Aussie PB is a fully scaled but I think it is predominately Koi not common. Open to opinions though! And before you ask, I've masked the location as it is pretty special! And somewhere i was taken by a good mate who developed the spot thru much hard graft and a lot of time! And yes, it is in NSW. I will get myself a QLD double, I will, I will, I WILL!!!! Ben Ben

That looks so carpy, i gotta get down to fish that!! Nice photo!

Stoke....mate.....those are some nice photos, where you been hiding all of 'em?!! That looks rather nice fishing down there, room to move! Is it bucket between the legs in that kayak when you bait up? Must make paddling a bit difficult! What kind of distance do you fish at? Great to see photos up mate, really gives a feel to your campaigning. Noice!! Love that Wellington photo. Ben

Paul, That pelagic reel, how do they go? That is a nice deep, long spool almost basia-like. haven't seen that on any other reels available over here. Ten bearings too from the website. what kind of lb/yd can you get on 15lb line? Good luck with the chopshop on that rod tho!! Ben

G'day Mate, I am currently on the Gold Coast but only till next Thursday and my only chance for a fish may be this weekend. The spot is about 30min drive from Nerang if you are interested. It is a shame about that lake in B'leigh eh?! [censored]s stuff it up for the rest of us! let us know if your keen to get out this weekend. Cheers, Ben

oooh those mirrors are nice! There ya go Stoke a bit of 'finspiration' for you!! TBH Paul I am not sure when that will be. I fly back to the UK on the 22nd so it will be as soon as poss after that. Will get a team photo up as soon we hook up!! Ben

I can echo your feelings about the size of fish, my current Aussie PB is only just over 16lbs so no monster! I do think that the biomass of carp in some of our systems is really hampering us finding big fish. So many mouths to feed they just don't get a chance to grow. Just a tip, and I may be telling you to suck eggs, to post a photo on here it has to already be hosted on the web. So you can't upload straight from your computer to the forum. It has to be via a web-based photo site like picasa, flickr, photobucket etc. Once it's uploaded make sure the photo is publicly accessible and find its link. Paste that link into your reply box, double click to highlite it then hit the Img button above. that will put two img tags either end of link and voila! I am no computer genius at all btw. But I couldn't find photo posting advice on the forum. Good luck on that target mirror mate, you don't get many of those in Oz!! Ben

Hippos, donkeys, beasts.....at least that's what I've heard!! Definitely 20+, poss 30+, those that know don't show..at least on forums anyway. But when I get one i will be showing it that's for sure. It's still all a bit too cloak and dagger for me. If you keep the shot simple so as not to show location why not post it!

So you are using sweet corn? Do you use a hair rig or on the hook? Do you prebait? Have you tried stinky maize? As to your presentation running rigs in winter are good as fish don't feed as aggressively. So baits presented with as little resistance as poss will be more likely to be picked up. If you hair rig, a bit of yellow foam(or buoyant fake corn) sandwiched between two kernals will help the bait fly into the carps mouth. Bit more on maize- http://www.carp.com/article44.html They're not lazy just with the colder water temps their metabolism slows down hence less need to feed so often. They will also feed in regular time windows, depends on location but find that time and you've got a better chance of a bite; even on harder winter waters. Good luck, and keep us posted! Ben

I didn't mean it to sound like big-noting. As I said the 140m was just a demonstration of what can be achieved. About me I am a big boy, 6'3, 110kg(240lb), been beach fishing since year dot blah blah blah so it is different for everybody. There is also a newish method of delivering method balls huge distances via a sling arrangement. Was on the Korda DVD with Tom 'I'm a bit delicate' Dove, may be an old technique tho, as you know Korda! As to hemp, it's been a contentious issue in Oz for awhile. Commercial scale farming of hemp for fibre production, seed oil etc has been bogged down state by state because of the percieved (small minded) concerns of the public and regulatory issues. So, it may take a few emails to sort out whether or not it is available. Though you'll prob pay a premium as it is used for seed oil production not fish feed. State of play http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/field/field-crops/fibres/hemp/commercial-production Possible supplier http://www.ecofibre.com.au/ Two of the bigger grain feed producers, you'll need to find suppliers in your area. http://www.alloragrain.com.au/products.htm http://www.agriproducts.com.au/agri/default.asp have a look through there ranges for an alternative to hemp maybe? You'll need a decent oil content I would imagine which will narrow the choices. Been reading your angling diary as it were, Stoke. Top stuff mate, it is really inspiring to read about someone spending the time discovering fish and then taking the time to write it up too. Keep it up!! Cheers, Ben

Interesting, will have to have a look at that when my eyes aren't square! wish i was here longer otherwise I'd take him fishing up here in QLD but I fly back to the UK next week. Someone should put the invitation out tho. I'll email him anyway. Cheers, mate.

Ah gotcha, I know near where I grew up in CQ they used to fish near the outlet of a power station for big barra. Produced monsters too!! Bream are certainly getting bashed of late. 'Oh,we've got a species we haven't completely annihilated, lets make it the next big sportfish and do the job properly!'

I've found a quick light feather of the cast after launch gets rid of the wobbles, lessens your distance a little but contains payload better. Dunno what aerodynamic principle that applies but hey ho! Like the kayak quip btw.....took me awhile but I got there!!