smufter

As stated, if you are using bolies then a stinky fishmeal would be best... something with crab in it???? Or a lump of luncheon meat. Tasty to both carp and cats. One of the reasons we don't use fishmeal baits on our water is the fact that there is a massive Cat in there, along with a few Pike and Eels. We try to avoid those.

East Sussex mate. Near Hastings, sleepy little town called Bexhill on Sea.

No problem mate. Just stick with the two, you'll do fine. And they are both easy to tie. Even I can do it, and I'm a numpty. 😉

When I first started out, I found YouTube invaluable for picking up hints and tips on baiting, and more importantly rigs. The number of rigs out there are frightening, and enough to put a novice off... it seems a whole, different language. My advice to you would be to stick to one, maybe two rigs at most, and keep them simple. For bottom baits, a simple "blow back" rig will cover all scenarios.... https://www.carpology.net/articles/rigs/step-by-step-guide-to-the-blowback-rig If you fancy fishing pop ups, or a "wafter" (cross between a bottom bait rig and a pop up), then I suggest a simple "D rig" and they don't get much easier than this, utilising a Korda D rig kicker. Seriously, these are the only rigs you'll need when you're starting out.

At the time I thought it was a good thing... Never caught a glimpse of the fish, so will never know

My lake only allows barbed hooks although I have had a go with them at White Cottage. Got snagged in the pads, Bailiff went out to try to free fish, fish got off, he had a pop at me for using barbless. 😱

Try the Pallatrax "Gripz" hooks. A new take on barbless. I used them in France, no problems at all. And they are wickedly sharp.

What's wrong with your VaderX??? They are a pretty good rod ❓❓❓

Argues the toss??? I don't think anyone on here, (except you obviously), could ever call me argumentative...... I just said I find shorter rods more accurate. I hardly call that argumentative......?????????????

Your wish is my command..... 😣

It certainly does in my hand....... because that's what I'm used to 😉

I'd vacate the swim and wish the new guy coming in all the best! I get what you mean, but I only fish set sessions anyway. No real difference to fishing a day ticket water with set times of 7 til 7.

It's never happened yet. But I suppose it could.... 😉

Casting distances, yes... but accuracy? I'd argue the point. And as for playing.... again I'd argue that point. My current 11 footers, (FreeSpirit TS's) and my previous Chub Outkast Smallwaters are/were brilliant "players" rods. And the little shorter length helps with netting fish, which surely is all part of playing???

But getting to the lake and finding there are no swims available can.......😉 I'd rather fish a pre-booked swim than none at all.

Only any good to you Yonny if you want to do what a 12 footer could do 😉

The only time I've seen our Bailiff fish was in France a couple of weeks ago mate. Look at it from another angle. Say you had booked your "favourite" swim to then turn up and see that somebody else has been in there 10 minutes before you, filling it in???

To avoid swims being double booked mate

On the lake I fish, you have to book a swim in advance. It's not a massive water, only 8 swims in total, and I tend to alternate between my two favourites, depending on the time of year. There's no stalking, and officially you are not supposed to move swims once there, but the lake is fairly quiet mid-week (when I fish) so if another swim is free you are able to move in, you just need to clear it with the bailiff. It also has a tubing rule. I'd much rather fish without it, but dem's the rules. Our fish are absolutely pristine. I fished a lake the other week. It's a membership water. No hard and fast rules. Caught 6, but they were in a terrible state. Deformed mouths, some of the worst I have seen. I'd rather stick it out and blank on my lake than pull 6 of those poor things out every visit.

When I was younger and first starting out, I used a variety of rods, but they were mainly 9' or 10' leger or float rods. That has stayed with me through later life, and I find shorter rods much easier to handle than 12 footers. I personally use 11 footers, and find them absolutely perfect for the fishing I do, mainly smaller, estate type lakes, overhanging trees, tight swims, where accuracy is far more important than distance. Having said that, I've just returned from a French trip with 5 mates and certainly didn't feel disadvantaged against them using their longer rods. I got my bait where I needed to get it to! They don't save me any room in the car by the way, as I use a 12' rod sleeve for them.... have never been able to find an 11' one!

The ones I took with me THIS year cost me the same so I haven't got a problem with that. And I only got through 3 kilos all week so I'll just buy 1 kilo of theirs 😉😉😉

For nearly all of my terminal tackle I'll use "Bank Tackle". They have never let me down, and their delivery is spot on. Prices are good and their products, especially their hooks, are very good quality. Eric's Angling have always been good too, but sadly it looks like they have recently been taken over. Because of my work hours I don't get to use local stores, but the last one I tried gave such shoddy service I would much rather buy online anyway. That particular one has gone bust now, I wonder why??? (Sometimes it's not all about the prices).

Can't get easier than this surely?????

Thinking of booking up here for a week. Looks idyllic, and only £1,200.00 for a week's exclusive for 4 (including accommodation for anybody that doesn't want to "rough it"). Has anybody been from on here???? https://www.etangdeslandes.co.uk/

In France the other week I was fishing my chosen swim (3) and after 3 days had had nothing. A few bleeps, but that was it. The swim directly opposite (12) was free, and I had noticed showing fish in there for some time, so I upped sticks and moved in. Rewarded with a 40lb Mirror and a 35lb Common, and lost two others.