The_Viking_Angler

Yeah i think it was the lads first time on the lake and everyone had told him the margins produce a lot both day and night. Swans i find to be the worst for that sort of thing, This is a 9acre lake and only 2 swans on it and they'll only swim near the anglers.

Speaking off annoying birds, How do you guys deal with swans and geese diving on your bait in very shallow water?. I was fishing the other day with a mate and saw a swan dive over this lads patch of bait in the margins, only about 3 foot deep, As i stood up to shout over to him as he was sorting something out in his bivvy, it was too late, the swan had managed to wrap the hooklink and lead around his neck like a necklace. Luckily, we after a few minutes with the bail arm open, the swan started rolling in the water and dropped everything but it would of been a pain in the backside to try and free it. Also How would you go about unhooking one? I've never hooked one luckily and don't really want to as i have a bit of a fear of them when their angry, they can be viscous beasts!

I don't agree with that fella, the basic test i always do is feel the quality, if it marks easily ect. It doesn't tell you much but it can tell you enough to say its a maybe or a no at least, having used super cheap line in the past and other lines considered top brand, you can tell a difference by having them side by side. I do agree that recommendation is hugely important. If i gave the impression that i wasn't taking the recommendations on board then that certainly isn't the case. I am interested to see what everyone else uses. i went in to the tackle shop yesterday to buy the new line and funnily enough i went with a completely different option, ESP Syncro Loaded EX in 15lb in the end. As he didn't have the GTHD stuff in stock but the owner recommended the ESP stuff and as i know the owner is a die hard Gardner fan and he has made the switch, i took his advice that he finds it has much better sinking properties. As Smufter said, i'll find out for myself once i've used it a few times.

I'll definitely check this out mate before i make an final decision. But looks like the gardner HD is getting the most votes. The main decision maker will be when i see them in the shops and can see the actual line.

Do you think i'll need a shock leader if i was to use say 80lb mono? Yeah that was exactly my thoughts, i have a couple old bait runners lying about so i'll start using one of them, do you use braid on the marker rod for finding the features or do you still use mono on that too mate?

Thanks mate. think i'll go with the mono option then, i didn't think there be an issue but it's always nice to hear someone does it too

Hey Guys, A two part question. I'm just getting into spodding and need to put line on my spod reel, i know casting braid can be tricky with wind knots and such and had an idea of using a sea mono line at around 60-80lb breaking strain straight through without a shock leader, has anyone used mono for spodding? I know it probably wont be any good for marker work due to the strecth in it... or maybe it would be, i have never done much marker work either! My thought process is that sea line is designed to cast leads going up to 8/9oz which is more than a large spomb is when its full i'd imagine so should easily take casting a spod/spomb. i have a big pit for my spod rod so the larger diameter line isn't an issue. And i'm thinking of using a standard carp reel for my marker work, as most of my fishing is done at no more than 60-80 yards at max and majority of time it's more like 50 yard and i can easily cast a standard reel that far. Anyone see any potential issues i may have with this?

Hi Guys, So i'm changing the main line on my reels and just wondering everyone's thoughts on the two above. I have been using Korda ~Subline but looking for a change.

Yes mate, I always use a blop of putty on the bottom of the rig mate.

It's absolutely fine using it straight on mono mate, i used it like that for years before moving onto a water that allows leaders and even now i seldom use them. Just make sure you use a buffer sleeve like in the post above and you're grand.

I've recently fallen in love with firetrap boots, I have used them in all conditions whether i'm fishing or at a music festival in the great British weather! Super comfortable and very reasonably priced, you can get a pair for around 40 quid.

If you have no luck on traditional selling sites, i find that i always sell everything i ever take to a car boot, you may not get as much as selling it online but least it's something as opposed to them just taking up space and never being used.

Thanks Lads, Was just curious of other peoples opinions. I have a big Daiwa beany mat somewhere which i think i'll start using again for stalking. I'll see if i can find it.

Thanks dude!

Hey Guys, I'm hoping to fish the canal/stalk alot more this year and i was just wondering what you guys use mat/cradle wise to stay mobile. I have a cradle but it's a pain to carry along with a rod/net/buckets ect.

Yeah Terry is definitely a character! Yeah the margins look really good there for a bait and on my last session, my only activity came from my margin rod. How weedy does it generally get?

I almost always use shelf life bollies and have never had a issue. Plenty of companies, sticky, nash, crafty catcher ect all use decent ingredients and i always read the ingredients on the back of the package before buying any new bait.

Hey Guys, So i recently joined Luton angling club and was just wondering if anyone has fished North House Lake or the river section at Wyboston. I'm likely going to be mainly targeting North House and with the river being literally next to it, ill likely do a good few hours on there too. Anyone got any info or tips about the waters?

I have and will use both where needed but i much prefer bank sticks for the versatility of them. I also find them much more stable and secure, especially fishing close in. With a pod, i find that you are limited on control as all your rod tips will face the same way, regardless of where your're fishing. I have had a pod tip over on me when fishing right close to the margins and when i had a particularly violent take, it pulled the rod and the whole pod went. Also with bank sticks, i keep my alarms, bobbins ect on them all the time so its always ready to go.