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Here's a picture of my cat, Lottie. We got her 6 months a go from a cat rescue place. She's one of the friendliest cats I've ever met. We'll often see her out the window being petted by passers bys and the neighbours without a care in the world. My friends when they visit say she's more like a dog as she rolls over and wants her tummy rubbed all the time.

I'm sure there is resistance and probably more than we would like. I tend to have a quite simple view on it that run rigs don't use the weight of the lead as the primary means of setting the hook. A lead clip set up relies much more on the lead setting the weight and so weight of lead really does play a role with hook holds. A 5oz lead will do a much better job securing a hold and holding it against a carp shaking their head.

My understanding of running rigs is that you're not relying on the lead to do the hooking. So weight is irrelevant except to get the distance, guide the line and provide resistance to the bobbin to give indication. Using a heavier lead can cause more problems getting plugged in silt, light weed or clay and clog the run ring effectively creating a bolt rig. If you re getting takes, I'd probably look at the rig and tweaking it as you're obviously doing something right. You say you've tried longer hairs, how much longer? Have you tried doubling the seperation? Say 5mm at a time? If your catching it's probably minor changes that will make a difference so whether it's hook, hair, line alined do it one at a time so you understand what's been changed and the effect it has.

Cheers...I also remember the other reason having done a search. You had much more experienced anglers such as Jemsue5 commenting on the fact that trench is a very difficult water. So thought it would be way out of my league.

I forget all the ones I went to see last year. I think the only one I didn't was trench, which is probably the best from what I've read but also heard banks are pretty treacherous, so didnt visit on that basis. Having only moved to shifnal last year it's trying to find good pools. I liked the look of the wulac waters but no night fishing and the bait rules kind of put me off. The waters look lovely and set in some beautiful country side but the rules kind of put me off.

Hi Liam, it was a bit of a one off for this weekend due to the fish spawning on a syndicate I fish. I generally fish there or will travel back to London to fish with friends on day tickets down there. I don't mind putting in the work if I can fish somewhere regularly and get to know the place. I'd blanked 5 or 6 times on the syndicate and my first catch was after spending a couple of weeks doing a two hour return trip three times a week to pre-bait a few spots. I'll also work on improving my casting, baiting, rigs etc but if a place is busy I tend to fish within my comfort zone so as not to annoy other people fishing. I've had a look at the telford waters on the taa and have been to visit most of them. I just had a feeling that many wouldn't be safe to leave my car at or about being hassled on the bank. Maybe they're perfectly fine but I'm unsure if I'd feel 100% safe on them.

Was going to try merrington but they're booked out so back to the drawing board again. I was thinking of the river and then remembered the close season is still in effect.

Hi Cyborx I'd like to look into it if you can send the details. By pm is fine if you don't want to broadcast. I mainly fish a small syndicate but know they are spawning and having managed to get the time from the mrs to go I don't want to miss out. I'd like to get on the severn somewhere as my angling apprenticeship was served fishing the Colne in West London. I haven't fished a river for ages and would love the chance to go target some chub and barbel again.

I've never been to Merrington...picked up mixed reviews on here about it but they may be old threads? They've tended to be on fish stocks but it may be different now? Blackthorn has a no alcohol rule and I do enjoy 2-3 beers of an evening with dinner and watching the sun go down. I only moved to Shifnal last year as it's where the mrs is from so I'm not particularly clued up on waters nearby that allow night fishing.

I'm still undecided but thanks for the suggestions. Bluebell is too far as was planning on fishing to monday morning and need to be at home to work from 9. I have a place in west london and also Shropshire so the m40 corridor is preferred as I can make it to either in a suitable time frame. M25 in rush hour on a Monday morning is a nightmare.

Can anyone recommend a decent day ticket water between the west midlands and london for this weekend? Ideally not to far from the m6, m1 or m40. I know a few places linear and stanwick that aren't to far but have a feeling linear will be packed and unsure whether with my experience thesl lakes may be too difficult? Ideally looking for somewhere that isn't a runs water but also still suitable for someone who is learning and will prove a challenge so I learn but still have a chance of a fish or two. Also preferably somewhere that doesn't get overcrowded. I only ask as the fish are spawning where I'd planned to fish and would prefer to leave them do their thing than try to fish for them.

I'm not sure if I'm correct in my thinking but if your wanting to put everything into a bag, lead, hookbait the lot the best rig would be relatively short and supple as others have said. Personally i think a shorter hook link would work better than a longer one. When it's placed in the bag it's folded on itself and so the longer the rig the more slack until the carp provides any indication at the rod. Also when layering the hooklink into the bag with the bait. I'd think a supple braid would work better as stiffer materials may kink when being folded into the bag and result in a rig that is presented awkwardly. If I wanted to fish a rig with a stiff section and achieve a similar baiting result, I'd probably go with a stick mix which can be threaded on maintaining a straight line.

Thanks mate, I only saw the bottom bay on Randlay as was more interested in the blue pool having read other comments on here. I think mainly from Jemsue5 on fishing the deep margins although from google maps looks like they are on the far side that runs parallell to the Randlay road and you can't access due to that bank being fenced off. I then walked across to Randlay pool but only saw the end opposite the steps, as had to get home to get out for the evening. Well looks like I'll definitely be upgrading my line and will probably try to get down to one of them next Tuesday/Wednesday for an evening session.

Thanks for the reply, I'm not after lumps at the moment more interested in getting used to handling the fish on my own and building confidence in tying my own rigs and ensuring that they are safe. I visited Randlay and Blue Pool on Saturday and they looked quite weedy but didn't spend too long there. Also been to have a look at Dandy pools, castle pools and Holmer Lake. I'll definitely go have a look at Wrekin reservoir as having read some other threads on here it sounds like it is set in pleasant country side. The lakes all carry more weed than what I am used to, especially Blue and Randlay. Do you have any tips on presentation for them and dealing with the weed? I think the carp will love rooting in the weed for naturals but a little concerned for the fish and ensuring I can get them out safely. As I said I'm relatively new to carp fishing and I want to ensure that what I do minimises any potential harm to the fish. I presently have 12lb mono on my reels, should I increase this and change to fluoro to help?

Hi.. I've just moved from London where I used to go carp fishing with a friend to some local lakes and have relocated to a place called Shifnal, just outside Telford. I'm still relatively new to carp fishing and was looking for some local waters. I've read a few of the posts on some of the local pools and have visited a number of the lakes for a look around. The other day I visited blue pool and it looks as if half of it has been fenced off. I've found lots of helpful comments and advice but nothing that is that recent. Does anyone have any advice on which pools are good to fish for a relative new comer to the sport. Ideally was looking for some quiet waters, which from my visits and reading of other threads seems like it may be a bit of an ask for the area.