commonly

Excellent winter bait, get the odd pike and perch too. I've noticed a lot of waters now will limit the amount, 4pints a day? They must mess with the eco system I guess?

I had the same problem with the trekker big snooze, only used it handful of times and the shop where I bought it said it was wear and tear!! My avid one is holding up a lot better, been through the wash a few times & no sign of wear and tear!

Thanks for the link yonny. Good reading there. My water is a drop the lead rule, instant ban! So after a bit of experimenting, & due to the mountainous canadian weed. I am naked to a drop off fox in line, with a sinker wrapped in putty 2ft up the line. I use 4-4,5oz up to 100 yds. 4_5"combi rig with a large split shot where the braid is stripped off the fluro of Hydrolink, to set the hook. Pop up or snowman. I tend to get the hook bait 2-3" off the bottom, with a few freebies in stocking, which helps avoid tangles. I will play around with lengths & not necessarily drop the lead on other waters. I often get liners, but put that down to fish & movement of the weed. With this setup I definitely know when it's a take & have a 100% land rate & confidence in it. From the rotary, in my early days of fishing & carping I used to use a small 1/2 oz in line ball lead to devistating effect. Fond memories and stirs up the grey matter to uses nowadays.

Well here's hoping someone knows a bit more about Belgium now!!! One off my bucketlist., I'd love to go & fish for a few days before or after the F1, which is the last weekend of August. I've looked at blues Lake, very nice but very busy. Does anyone know of any good carp lakes in that part of the world?

Forget the small one at that range, go medium or large. You'll have a lot more control on the cast & you won't have to put so much in. Imo the small ones are for margins. I use the Albright knot to join lines.

The lengths we go to!! Some might say your mad!!

I use 15lb subline (Korda) mainly to satisfy syndi 0.4mm rule. It's very weedy & I have confidence in it, sinks like a brick, but can go springy. I always cut off 2-3 rod lengths, more if I've had a good scrap! I must admit though, it's pure laziness that I use it, as it's the only line in the local tackle shop, that meets the diameter rule.

Yes, Arma mesh. It has its uses, I tried it for a sesh at my syndi, with luncheon meat, trying to be different! Had a mid double, angry pike. The mesh stayed on the hair even in the mouth full of those gnarly teeth!

I've used it for floater fishing this year, wow, roll up a chunk of the ol' tiger loaf. No worries about it coming off & casting is a dream. I am a little concerned about how it may effect the fish ingestive system, should it be swallowed? Not such an issue with surface fishing, underwater may become more of an issue, but assume the manufacturer has taken this into consideration or else certain venues would ban it, should it be harmful to the fish.

I agree, just interested in there claim & to see if Charlieg had landed any. I'm firmly in the microbarb camp. But, If it's as good as it claims, it could result in less mouth damage & I'll do everything possible to avoid that.

That's interesting, I normally prefer a 6 & they seem out of stock on the bay, so 4's may be a good shout. Did you land every time?

Has anyone tried this brand? If so any good? https://www.pallatrax.co.uk/product/gripz-straight-point-hooks-size-6/

Apologies for the use of the word species, when it should of been strains.. I am intrigued by the responses & understand that certain fish will prefer a certain bait. This is evident at my water, with some angler's having recaptures in a season. As I mentioned above, there are a few commons in there that are very rarely caught. Scopex squid! There's a name I haven't heard in a while 🤔

One of my waters has well known fish, mostly commons! The lads that go 2/3 times a week have only caught a few! So that leaves it to luck for me doing the odd night here & there. I know one or two of the baits going in.The 1st few years, I went my own way, this year I'm using the better known bait, had a small stocky linear, which was OK. I want the Redmire commons though & if the wealth of angling knowledge available here can offer me an edge, I'm all ears.

I have begun to wonder wether certain baits/flavours are preferred by say a common to a mirror? I only ask as I love to catch commons & seem to of only landed mirrors of late. Both waters I fish have decent sized commons, but they are eluding me. Any suggestions welcome.

Plenty of great advice above. I use fox bags, tied with Korda tape. I tend to use them only if I'm unsure of the debris or weed on the bottom though. If you know it's clear just use pva stocking, it's much quicker, less mess, easier to cast & goes straight on the hook, so if you miss your spot, you can put another one on in seconds. I protect the hook point with a pva nugget.

Good content. I use my marker rod for floater fishing at distance. It's 3lb tc. & actually prefer the feel of it to my main roads, for surface fishing, not so sure it'd be as responsive with stronger mainline, lead, etc.

Always sad to see. Very difficult to control. From what I have been told, this is as much to do with the fishery as the angler. Their desire for cash over welfare will always take president. I believe, to eliminate the desease properly is a question of draining and liming the lake. Obviously causing huge cost & loss of income for the fishery. Mmm, it's not going to happen! As above I ensure all my gear is thoroughly dried, it's all I can do.

Sound advice above fella. A lot of these clips & links are a bit of a gimmick. I saw a video showing how much movement there is on a lead clip to the hair. I will now only use it in silty conditions when you may need that kind of movement. I am a firm believer in keeping things simple. Mainline with running or drop off leads. Bead to swivel & hook link. It takes seconds to tie, keeps terminal tackle cost down & is less likely to cause tangles. I know some venues require a leader of sorts. Wouldn't fish them personally.,but a good angler I know swears by lead core, if used correctly.

I used to use iq2 in varying breaking strains. Now use rigmarole as its slightly stiffer & doesnt need steaming to straighten out, just pulling tools. My go to rig is size 6 curved shank tied with 3 turn bloodknot. Micro swivel held onshank with hook bead. Floss the bait to the outer swivel ring, slightly off it for added movement. Various lengths dependant on lake bed. Anti tangle sleeve & tie 3 turn blood knot to swivel. Have a look at rigmarole hydro link. Again this is fluro coated with braid. So pull fluro through to form a supple hooklink section. Shot or putty where the fluro stops. Excellnt combi rig. Watch underwater 7 & 8 if you want convincing that a stiff hook link ca nail more bites.

Got the same one. Bit annoyed the middle bickle ripped all the stitching. Trekker didnt even respond when i complained about it, & a landing net pole, so won't be giving them any of my moneysany time soon.

Avid. Nice n warm