emmcee

That is always happening. I've seen numerous "sponsored " anglers catch fish on a certain bait only to put in the mags' it was caught on his sponsored bait. I kind of expect it from some of them but one of them I couldn't believe had done it as I held him in high regard and thought everything he said was always accurate. In fact this one particular angler also represents a tackle manufacturer (esp,ecially end tackle, you might guess who from this) but his hooks were from a totally different company stating that they were much sharper than the ones he was sponsored by. I stopped buying magazines from then on.

Ive only used hydros. Be that krill, salmon, shrimp and a shore crab one. I've used them all and no one is any better than the other. I've blended them also. The only thing I noticed over a few seasons were the results were better in the spring time using these glugs. And it's not just the hookbaits that were glugged, all my bait would have been glugged (boilies I mean).

If I'm honest, I hardly ever use a marker float any way. I just lead about. I don't need a marker. I just use a far margin point of reference and how many wraps and Job done. As long as you are in line with said reference point and clipped up you will hit the same spot each time. Simples

Totally agree nick. I'm not fazed by a bit of weed nor a lot of weed for that matter. But I'd say most people use a marker to show where a clear spot is and a large ringed swivel might just let the float up in an area there is some weed etc. Its also another reason I don't use a boom section for the lead, a boom will keep the float out of any weed and potentially misguide the person into thinking the area is clean when in fact it isn't. . And as with most things, if everyone is finding/ fishing clear spots then I'm aiming to do the complete opposite anyway.

If or when I've used a marker the last thing I do is put a large eyed swivel on. I just use a regular swivel simply because the large eye swivel might let the float up even if there is some weed/rubbish on the lake bed. If the float comes up with a regular swivel on then there's a much bigger chance that the area is clear.

You've met a right character there in Fat Al'. He catches them though. But he's certainly right.

That's Simon's fish for you. As a lot of us said who fished dinton, his fish are born with a brain. On white and no doubt on black there are fish that Simon assumes have died and they come out many years after their last capture. The fish known as triple row in white, my mate caught it at 8lb many years ago and then appears next at upper 30. The surrounding ponds on the dinton pastures country park are all full of whackers. Un fed and just left to grow. Every now and then some one will be tasked with catching one to stock into white or black. A very good stocking policy and very well run. Just a shame it's become so pressured.

yes simon knows his stuff for sure. i had a gold card for a couple of seasons and like you fished mainly black in those couple of seasons. both hold special fish indeed.

Yes you have spike and saddle back, both upper 40lb linears if not 50lb. God knows how many 40's now to back them up. All the big fish in there were all mid to upper 30's or just hitting 40 when I was on there. As for white swan, possibly 3 x 50's and numerous 40's . Most of which are proper stunners. I left white hating the place. When I first joined it i Ioved it but it became full of fish at all cost anglers, desperate wannabes. My name is on the list for white again but can't see me rejoining, unless I could fish mid week.

You looking at white swan or black swan? Some proper beasts in both now

If you want to keep disturbance down then lead/plumb all the swims on your lake whilst not fishing. Take a note pad with you and write down far margin markers and wraps to spots you find. Then if you turn up and fish are showing in a certain swim you don't have to plumb it. Distance sticks, note pad and job done with minimal disturbance. I did this on my current lake. Once I obtained my ticket I walked the lake and mapped every other swim pretty much. It helped me no end. You can have a fish on the bank sometimes before your second rods out.

I love a mallet Haha. And as for my old syndicate lake, one member was nicknamed "white tshirt man" haha. It didn't stop him catching though. And a good mate of mine nearly always wears a bright yellow tshirt. He's been called a noddy for wearing it but he's had 3 x UK 50lb carp so not a noddy at all.

Some experienced/named anglers need every little edge as without them they wouldn't catch half the fish they do. Enough of them pull strokes, break rules to catch fish or to give themselves a higher chance of catching than the average angler, because "they have to catch". And I'd be as bold to say without these edges/rule bending they would be noddys. But going back to the head ranger on my old lake, he is of the opinion that if you need one of these fish finder things to fish then you've no business being on his lake. Harsh to some maybe but that's his rules and I haven't a problem with it.

Not only the chance of losing it but some lakes I know don't allow them. My old syndicate lake for example, if you were caught with one or anything similar you would get banned. As the ranger said, they're for noddy's. Also if you rely on such a gadget and you do go onto a lake that does not allow them then I'd say you will be at a major disadvantage by the boy's that know and have learnt their watercraft. Without a doubt my watercraft knowledge is my biggest asset. Watercraft is more than just seeing a fish show or finding fish. Its what the fish do on certain winds, certain air pressures, times of the year, amongst other things etc etc etc. I've had countless occasions where I've fished a totally different part of the lake to the majority of anglers on the lake on that day and caught when most of the rest have failed all because I've seen something they haven't or worked out where they will be. If a carp doesn't show then most anglers I'd say are stumped on where they are but there are lots of other signs to look for which not even a deeper will show you anyway. Learn these things and you'll catch more, simple.

Amen 🙏

I've had my most successful winters fishing the shallows. Always natural about, they might just have to root about more for it. I recall walking around my old syndicate over the xmas holidays a number of years back to see a mate. Got to the shallows, 3ft - 5ft deep (lake is primarily 10ft - 15 ft deep) to find the an area about 15yds round the colour of tea. Properly being smashed up by the fish. That was midday on a bright wind less day, sun shining on the shallows.

I'd say he puts more back into angling than most. And he doesn't want to be acknowledged for a lot of it. He does a hell of a lot for angling that goes unannounced and he wants it unannounced. Most would want their name plastered or spouted about if they do something but not in his case. Yes he has his company and others plastered all over some of his dvd/ youtube videos etc but then so do all the rest of the tackle/bait firms who make DVDs etc.

I really can't get into this book. Hope you enjoy it.

Merry Christmas to one and all.

Cheers for that, but I'm already a member of that forum. I fish the south coast beaches. Mainly hayling island but I do venture to hurst castle, Milford on sea, hordle cliffs, highcliff and occasionally climping.

I've got one lake 30mins away, the other is 45mins and yet I drive for 90mins to go to the coast. And I do enjoy it, much more than I do carp fishing at the moment. And I've had bigger buzzes and satisfaction from catching new species of sea fish, some the size of the palm of my hand and proper buzzing about than a 30 or 40lb carp. My target is a double figure smoothie for sure this year.

Well reading through the posts I'm seeing the things im normally planning etc for the coming year. But this year, instead of wondering how much bait, when to hit it hard etc I'm actually thinking hard as to whether to keep my syndicate ticket. With my new found love of sea fishing, I really can't see me going much next year. I had a pair of beach rods custom built for me in September which cost more for the pair than my 3 Harrison chimeras. Carp fishing doesn't seem to be at the front of my thoughts, never thought I'd say that. I've got a cheap club ticket which I'd never let go as in a few years it's going to be a hell of a water with stacks of 30's and 40's just like it had in the 80's and 90's. But my syndicate I can do guest weekends if I wanted to go. I only really fished for carp in the spring this year but I've learnt that spring time is the time for Plaice and the smooth hounds start to run and these smooth hounds are the most amazing fights I've had from any fish. 40-50yd initial runs followed by a powerful fight against fish and tide, I had a 15minute battle all for a 7lber. I want more of that. They reckon a double figure one is like that but on steroids. I want some of that. So I've got some serious thinking to do.

I've got quite a few mates who have chub rods, although they all went the 13ft 3.5lb Tc. I think when they hot theirs they got them for something like £50 or £60 per rod, they've since gone up I gather. Baring in mind these mates have top range rods they virtually only ever use their chubs. 2 own the free spirit hi.s ives, 1 has the Harrison trebuchet lites, 1 has the daiwa magnum tapers and the other has Harrison torix te's. My next rods will definitely be a set of these, though I'll get the 12ft.

I had the 4 magnet rollers on my nevilles and I'd never have them again. You get some weed on your line with a bit of chop on the water and you'll have constant beeping, drives you insane.

Had a set of 3 for years now with the V2 sounder box and never had a single problem . I've had delkims, stevie Neville alarms, top of the range fox alarms in the past but wouldn't swap my atts' for any of them.