ianain

Shreds it, I don't think it's supposed to

Sounds like a job for baits that you can strike out of, i.e. a bait that will stay on your hook for so long, but will come off with a good strike; paste baits and bread are good starters.

It's probably a powder from the coating treatment to stop it sticking.

Thanks guys

If it's a feel for the place kind of fishing, I'd suggest float fishing, keep whatever bait dripping in and see what happens. Maybe a mixture of hemp, sweetcorn or caster. Try bread (punched and flake), maize, large particles as bait. Have a second (maybe even a third) rod with variations on as suggested above.

Thanks guys, there are some good ideas there.

Does anyone have any bright ideas for storing silicon tube when bought in lengths, I keep getting it all tangled?

Beg to differ, but I would say your rig is not presented well unless you are fishing for birds Don't mean any offence by that ginge. http://www.carp.com/topic/13598-waterfowl/?hl=%2Bproblems+%2Bwith+%2Bbirds#entry151724 may help as well as NM's link above.

Just did a search "pop up swivel rig"; memory served Have a look and see if that rings any bells or gives you other ideas.

I've seen it described for pop-ups; you thread the pop-up using floss (or similar) all the way so that the swivel is inside the bait and tie it off. I've never used it so can't comment on how effective or otherwise it is. It maybe that the swivel puts a bit of extra weight on your bait can't recall where I saw it.

I think swivels are more of a convenience, they have a large hole so that the line can pass through easily. I think I'm right in saying that swivels primary use was for lure fishing where because the thing [lure] is designed to spin round, the swivel actually has a chance to work as intended; as Nick said above, the swivels probably don't spin anyway.

Swivels are or can be used float fishing, some use them change floats quickly and some use them to attach their hook-length to as a final dropper. Do a search on g for "float adaptors" and you'll see a vast array

With regards to stocking, you will need to find out what the local laws are. The reasons for people going to particular lakes varies. Might be size, quantity or species. Have a look at what your local lakes are doing and further a field to get an idea of what works and hopefully what doesn't. Holiday villas, b&b, lodges, family friendly, individuals and small groups. If possible try to speak to the owners of places similar to what you hope to achieve. Anglers are probably the worst people to ask as we are all tied up in our own little world of what works for us, but this means you should be in the best place as you are not blinkered at the moment on what is the best thing to do.

Jimboo, in what way do you think that n-trap good for the fishing that you do and how is it better than suffix in those ways?

Do you know this as fact? When I spoke to the owner, he said they were still stocking the lakes. There seem to be a lot of lakes that are having the same problem [tongue in cheek] Fish nicked by other fishery - Hopsford just down the road has better stock[/tongue in cheek]

I fished it a few months ago and have been too busy to go back there (as in I will fish it again.) Walk around and speak to the other anglers there. Talk to the bailiff Trust in your own ability Ignore trolls I got on very well there, had a good night; no monsters but plenty of action. There are bream in there so you will most likely catch one or two along with some other breeds of fish. Tight lines! and welcome to the forum.

Yes she is, your daughter should come along, there is a match a week on Saturday 13th, not sure where though.

I've taken my daughter there a couple of times on school matches, I think it's the Sapphire lake we went on(the furthest one away.) All the usual species in there, as you say nothing big, but good fun float fishing using maggot just over a rod length out. They are still stocking them up from speaking to the owner. I believe that the lakes have been there a fair while and they were taken over a little while ago. There are some regulars there so it can't be that bad. There is a portaloo there but I hate the thought of my daughter using it

Have a flick through this post, it may be helpful to you; I used to go past there most days but have changed job so don't any-more There was quite a while that you had to chuck your bait as far as possible as this is a busy venue most of the year. The far end of the lake may pay dividends as most people can't be bothered to walk that far and just fish along the road wall next to their car.

It all depends on how they are tied, both can be made un-safe and both can be safe.

It seems a lot of venues are hit and miss at the moment

I don't agree. Most of my fishing is with size 4s, regardless of bait. same as. I want a big bit of metal to nail'em, regardless the size of hookbait. Size 4's & 5's my favourites. Infact done 1 season using size 2's. They didnt get away;-) Yep each to their own. Am I safe in saying that you would generally use large baits (18mm+)? Bait size is a starting point; using a hook that is bigger or smaller than the bait then becomes choice or method. The other problem is that there is a big difference between the physical size of manufacturers hooks and the stated size, even within their own ranges.

You're right for a starting point, the hook size should match the bait. There are other factors though: the length of hair / hook link, how big the fishes mouths are and weed for starters. Perhaps a better way of thinking is that the hook size should be big enough to hook the fish taking into account how it will achieve that in relation the the bait used. If the hook needs to pull through the bait the wire diameter needs taking into account and so on. The old adage still applies: If the fish are there and feeding and you are not catching, you're doing something wrong. So change something be it hook length, hair length, bait size, hook size etc..

Swivels: barrel, snap links, quick change links Bait stops: where grass is not good enough - spaghetti, the coloured stops that look like corn etc., quick stops; Korum or Drennan with their pusher tool in various colours and sizes Baiting needles: Long, short, latching (and, as above, pusher tool for quick stops) Leads: or weights of various shapes sizes PVA: with funnel tubing - some use bags which have been improved recently so don't discount the idea if you have a bad time with it before Bait: tinned meat, maggots, particles, bread and maybe boilies (a complete minefield in and of itself) depending on where you are fishing; keep it simple location is still number one requirement Practice at home tying the rigs: A metaphorical one really but still needed

I would give bread a serious go. Try floating bread crust (providing there are not too many ducks around). You will be able to test this out by just throwing bits in and see what happens. Once they have a bit of confidence, you can then try to catch one.