greekskii

I Had the same over winter and in to spring mate, just seemed to be going through the motions and didn't get that same feeling as I used to. I've pinned it down to not really wanting to fish the water I was on anymore but stuck without a back up. I've finally got myself out the rut by doing a bit of floater fishing at close range, only for small single figure fish but just getting that excitement back that you can lose sitting behind alarms all the time.

if they arent doing it they are certainly grouped up ready

some form of pressed hemp? wouldn't that be just ideal!

I get you in a sense, I use the multi rig in two different styles for most of my fishing at lengths normally between 7-11 inches, this only varies when I know I am in deeper silt (where I use a light lead and heli set up to counter it on the most part as you say). I normally use 8 or 9 inch hooklengths, only going shorter for stalking with heavy leads at close range. Don't think you can say there is no need at all to adjust rig length though, that's a pretty definitive statement. Fishing a 1ft hooklength on a small spot at close range would be more ineffective than a short 6 inch hooklength. And before you say anything, I've witnessed the difference with my own eyes at hooking potential, the shorter hooklength converts far more times in this situation. But I agree with you that changing the lead set up will help combat weed or deep silt more than just increasing hook length size. Be interesting to get you take on zigs and floater fishing hooklength sizes.

https://www.harrings-bio-weights.co.uk/

careful @yonny that might be misunderstood as everything else has been so far

the website is up and running, £7.75 for a 5 pack of 2oz leads. That's £1.55 each... not the same price as 55p each I get my leads for.

Not sure about how silty Biggin is but it's a runs water for sure so catching shouldn't be a major problem. I'd say the feeder probably does sink in silt if it's soft, maybe obscuring the hook length. Nice light leads and/or small PVA bags are probably a good way to go. My friend went last year and had 13 fish in a few hours fishing in the margins under the rod tips. As with anywhere, find the fish before setting up.

got a bag full of them in the garage. Not used them much recently tbh. They are nowhere near the quality of proper jobs, they are soft but still very buoyant because it's just plain pop-up mix and liquids. and not rolled perfectly. no way sellable...

I used to love the banana ones and they did me a few fish, then he stopped making them in the matt orange colour and the yellows didn't seem to work as well. Prompted me to make my own in the same colour.

Me and a few friends used to ring each other if we saw them lumping out on each other's pre-baited areas to let them know the fish were there if they could get down to the lake, it was then up to them to give the nod for you to fish it if you couldn't, but we all felt the same and rarely did even with the green light. We'd all want the one who's put the effort in to catch the fish. We did largely have the pit to ourselves though around a few day members.

That! you’ll be lucky to get on anywhere this time of year. Especially if you’re not on the waiting list already. Bluebell as yonny said. Maybe lucky to get a ticket for elsons instead of paying day ticket rates. They used to sell some and I’m sure they will for the right price. Might be worth trying the houghton lakes, the ticket is April-end of September only but it’s only just kicked in so might be one going. There’s an estate lake which starts in June but might not be what you’re after. If you want a challenge you could always invest that spare cash in a small boat and target the river when it opens. Fishing from the boat means you might be able to fish areas for free.

dont fall in to the myth of higher test curve if it's snaggy. I've been using my 2.75tc rods for years now, probably more like 2.5s now. I've had little problems with landing fish to 40lb in serious weed and snags. The softness of the rod can absorb a lot of the pressure and turn fish quicker. You'll get less hook pulls anyway.

Got to work out if/how it will be connected to the main river and how I can get it fenced prior to stocking it. Big old adventure it will be but defo be worth it in the long term. Wont be hearing from him for another year minimum though.

same.... although I have my eye on one and have first refusal for a lease when it comes available. newly dug pit so it's a start from scratch affair.

they've leased half of Peterborough haven't they

Most importantly, are there any carp in it? Find them and fish for them where they are.

you wont say it was silly if you get cut off an inch above the tubing though. I use 5-6ft leaders or tubing to give plenty of abrasion resistance

A couple winters ago it was in all the mags that an angler had taken apart a tricky water by watching where the iced thawed first, indicating the warmest area of the lake. He then fished it and had numerous big fish. Can't remember his name though. I've done something similar but on a commercial.

just had a look at the other products on offer, pair of salopettes for £25, wont be a touch on the likes of snugpak but i'm sure for spring/autumn they'll be spot on.

Arrived today. Just had my little boy grab it and play with it so I can say it’s durable! Interestingly we filled it with some small toys and dropped it so it opened up. Which it did every time without fail. I then dropped it empty from the same height and it didn’t open. So it must operate on weight or something. Interesting find though. I even threw it on the floor and got the same results. Looks well made and can’t wait to give it some proper use.

make sure you dry them well in between glugs, or you'll have wafters

Yeah it looks impossible but my mates opened every time, no matter how it hit the water! I wouldn't be surprised if they wear over use and become a bit weaker (wont do it any harm!)

Got one of these on order. Should have it in the next week or so. My mate has one. Very decent and open every time upon impact, even though magnets seem too strong when you try open it on your hand. I never spomb/spod during winter so I won’t be using it until March when I start prepping spots for spring. Although I might have a play one session before that.

open to most places then, you could always give Rockford a go? Club water but well known big fish water. I only spent 3 years in Hampshire and didn't fish much apart from Peewit in Winchester and a couple of sneaky trips over to a small pond, so don't have much knowledge. A few lads fished in the New Forest area though. I believe the South Downs has some big old lakes but not sure on names. Yately isn't far? Frensham?