InteraX

TBH, I recon now the temps have eased off a bit the fish are up for a feed. I don't think they've been feeding much whilst it's been so bright and hot, not there's a bit of a breeze, the temps have dropped and we're getting occasional cloud cover, they've got to feed in some shape or other. If you're luck enough to be there when they switch on and can keep them in the area, you'll get a great result. I haven't been back to my local pond to check water temps since last weekend, but I hope they've dropped a bit and I hope the breeze has helped oxygenate the water a bit.

As I'm not allowed to fish my local lake, I thought I would stop by to see what's happening. As expected, there's people using it as a swimming pool/somewhere to go paddle boarding/sunbathing. I bought an aquarium thermometer off amazon just so I know what the water temperature is. I was shocked to find the surface water between 26.1C and 26.3C. Hopefully the temps are going to start dropping soon. That can't be good for the fish.

I was out Sunday early and had a good result whilst it was overcast (see July Catch Reports), but ibthink that was very much down to local conditions. The club shut all fishing as of 11pm last night die to hugh water temps and their concern over DO, so I can't fish my preferred venue. I'm not sure I would go out locally right now. Its 30 outside as I write this and forecast up to 33/34 later today and throughout the week. Just unpacking the car, getting to the swim and setting up can be very unpleasant in this weather.

Happy birthday Kev.

I was out on Friday evening from about 6 on my local lake (old deep clay quarry) with nothing to show. It was funny listening to and watching the teenage kids in one of the posh houses opposite having a party. Once they started swimming and diving into the lake it was game over, but I kept on for another hour before reeling in. Back out again early doors 6.30am this morning. Previously bites have dried up by 9. I had 2 strange aborted takes where the bobbins pulled tight to the alarms and then stopped around 9. Once it got to 10, I though it was too late, but thought I was planning to go until lunch, so let's give it a while longer. 11AM and my right hand rod screamed off. A nice little 12lb 12oz lightly scaled mirror. That was a nice surprise for the time, but I noticed it was overcast so that may have played into it. 30 mins later and the right hand rod was off again. A 12lb 14oz zip linear this time. As I was bent over returning the fish, my left hand rod screamed into life. After releasing the fish, I went to pick up my other rod, then remembered my net was still broken down, so left it to run for a bit whilst I sorted that out. The run slowed to a stop then sped away again by the time I could get to my rod. I tightened down the clutch and pulled into it and could feel a much stronger pull back. After a 10 minute fight, I managed to get it in the net and could see it was a much bigger fish. I secured the net with a bankstick whilst I refreshed my bucket and prepared everything. A lovely long lean 25lb 4oz fully scaled mirror. It's about the size of the largest fish in the lake. I'm not sure if it's the 'big one' or if that's a common, but I'm more than happy. I returned it as soon as I had finished with everything and then sat down deciding I'd had my fill and the fishing gods had been more than generous. That and the fact I had other things to do this afternoon. Overall, even though it started out quiet, it was a really good session.

Hi all, Locally (SW London & Surrey), I have 1 club that's closed all fishing until 24 hours after the heat alerts have been cleared (currently means late Sunday), I have another that's closed fishing due to low oxygen and a local day ticket shut up shop last weekend due to the weather. Whilst I fully understand low oxygen resulting in fish welfare concerns, I don't understand the club closing all fishing. Apparently it's for the member's safety and fish welfare. Fish welfare, OK maybe if the water has low oxygen, but as for member's safety, we're adults. Is this a widespread issue? If we are to start getting this type of weather going forward, what will it mean for us? I've been starting work early and doing some extra hours this week with the hope that I'll be able to get out tomorrow PM for a session. It doesn't look like I'll be able to now or if I can, the venue will probably be rammed. How do they manage it on the continent? Surely they have worse issues, but they don't seem to have to shut down because of it.

Welcome! I had to look up 'Fischerprüfung'. How on earth do tourists get to fish in Germany if you have to take a course and then pass an exam before fishing? That sounds a bit too much, but maybe it would keep out some of the less desirable fishermen. 😁

Mainline straight through to the lead. Personally, I wouldn't trust that any bead or similar could make it over any knot for any leader. I've only recently started trying out a helicopter style rig and found that mainline straight through seems to be good enough for me so far. What is the purpose of the leader in your setup?

Shh.... You don't want to jinx it!. 😁

That's great to limit account creation, but can you set new users to moderated (all posts need to be approved by a modertor). That may be the only way to stop the current issues. It looks like the spammers have found a new way to hit the forum en-mass.

Has a geo-ip block or something been implemented to try to prevent a reoccurrence?

I was going to say yes, but got it confused with Tanyard/Latchetts Lakes/Frogmore Lakes. It looks nice though and is on my list of places to try.

I have a Trakker brolly system that's been stored in a shed for the past couple of years unused. I think it's got damp in storage at some point and now has an acrid smell to it with white patches all over it that I think is some kind of mould. I've tried washing it off with plain water and airing it for a few days and whilst it's a lot better, the marks and smell are still there. What's the best way to clean the whole lot and get rid of the smell?

A few new purchases for the new year.... NGT XPR Brolly System - I got my old Trakker brolly out to check it over and it was covered in mould. I've been trying to clean it, but can't seem to get rid of the acrid smell. 3 x Daiwa 22 Whisker 45 SCW QD OT reels - It's time to replace my old Shimano 5000 baitrunners that I've had for 18+ years. They are great reels, but I need something to pair better with my current rods and I felt they were starting to affect my casting distance, so some big pit style reels were called for. I've only had them out for a few test casts on a local pond and I'm definitely feel like I'm getting further. OMC 3 Rod Wide Elbowz in stainless. I've got the standard width version but they were a little bit narrow for my baitrunner reels and they won't sell just the longer cross bar to convert it, so had to go for a new full set. I'll probably sell the old set now....

I visited a local commercial fishery yesterday to visit the on-site tackle shop. Driving in, the lake next to the entrance was 'closed due to spawning'. I know a lot of things feel to me like they're happening early this year, but I would have thought it's far too early for spawning. Doesn't spawning usually happen around May time?

I've had a bit of a lead around the past day or 2. It's definitely very deep compared to other places I've fished, with an occasional clump of weed in places but I'm not sure 100ft is quite true, unless it's a hole I've not found yet. Someone I met on the bank yesterday said 60ft which may be more accurate. There's definitely some shallower slopes and ledges around the edge and people have said they've had fish up to 22lb in the past couple of weeks, so maybe it's not as hard as I expect. The difficulty is going to be making sure I'm not too deep.

Hi all, I've got a local water I want to target. It's the nearest water to home with decent fish in it, but it's very deep from what I read. On the surface, it's about 200m by 130, but it's apparently up to 100ft deep. It's an old brick works and there's apparently some old buildings and machinery at the bottom, so it I want to try to avoid the deepest parts. I can only access about 1/2 of the bank as there's housing around the other side and we aren't allowed to cast near the gardens. How would you target this type of water? Thanks for your advice.

Do we know where the spammers are coming from? Can they be geo blocked? What about new user moderation? Whilst I know this will put more work onto you moderators, it seems to be getting worse ATM.

That's why I only bought 1 to try it out. Damn expensive for what it is. I said so. Apparently they have a patent on it, otherwise one of the other tackle companies would do a cheaper clone.

Hi all, How much does line diameter affect casting distance? Is there any empirical evidence or tests that have been carried out? I was out a few weeks ago and found that I couldn't cast as far as I expected, but then when I checked my line, I found that I had 18lb (0.4) loaded on my spools. I think this was because I was struggling to get any 12lb (0.33)/15lb (0.37) Daiwa Sensor Brown line last year. I have a feeling that if I use 15lb or 12lb line, I should be able to cast significantly further.

I've bought myself one of the new Reel Rapz at the Big One. It seems like a great idea if it does what it says on the tin (makes monos much more supple and heavier), but there are a few questions I have that you outstanding gent might be able to help me with. Firstly, does soaking a line affect it's diameter or breaking strain in any way? Secondly, does a soaked line cast any further/differently to an unsoaked line? Looking at The Tackle Box line tests and the stated line strength, I'm guessing those are based on dry lines. Does anyone know if breaking strength has been compared when dry vs when soaked?

It's been a long hard 6 months of Autmn & Winter. I haven't been able to get out since last August. Glad to finally be back at it again. Its a rock hard water, but today's not about catching. It's about being out and enjoying life for a few hours. Tight lines anyone else out there today. I hope this isn't a false spring......

I'm not on social media, except for the professional one. I much prefer the chilled out vibe we get here. A lot less 'look at me' and agro.

I found a lovely new happy place half way down France on holiday over the summer. It was a lovely place in the middle of the countryside, space for the family, a pool and a lovely little lake and enough around to keep the family amused as I get a load of fishing in. I think I unlocked the key just as I was running out of time. Coming back to work has been the hardest it's ever been. TBH, I'm sat here looking at the weather and thinking 'what the hell's happened'! I suppose it couldn't last.

I try, but am struggling to get out fishing ATM.