B.C.

Depends how much you want to spend buddy. And what sort of fishing you are doing. As Smufter says, they all do pretty much the same. You might want to consider something with an "arm" option, which helps to stop false bleeps in the wind, or something with a clip that actually grips the line and doesn't just hang on it, if bites are finicky..... If it's an actuall "upgrade" and not just a change. Then , personally I'd push the boat out and spend a bit on something that will never need to be upgraded again. If I were to upgrade and was looking for something to cover all situations, then the Solar Titanium would be my choice. Not the cheapest, but shouldn't need replacing, ever...... These are on my hit list for later in the year. https://johnsonrosstackle.co.uk/solar-indicators/15027-solar-tackle-titanium-indicator-arm.html#/choose-short Been using Matrix Dinky Hot Heads forever, but they don't sit still in high winds, hence me looking for something like the above..... Nick uses them and rates them highly, which is good enough for me as a recommendation.

No worries Chill, I was in rant mode earlier.... Had a chilled out walk round a lake to clear my head.... All good.

Basing it on a few waters that I know of that haven't been completely wiped out, still unfenced, otters moved on. There's loads of cases like this. BTW, I wasn't arguing, just airing my views........ Been on club lakes for a while and seen what some of them are doing to their lakes, turning them into the equivelant of carp only lakes, making a mockery of carp angling, big head of carp and no so called nuisance fish. Catching, not fishing....... That's a shame, it no doubt fed on other fish 20lb bream for instance and wasn't soley their for the carp but finally got them. Maybe if their was a hundred carp to begin with there would be a few left. Just wondering how you know there were exactly 7 carp in a water that size, perhaps 7 "known" carp. My question is, why base a livelihood around something you can't control? Natural variables compared to man made variables, there's your difference in era's I'm not claiming to be an expert on otters, and with the exception of Frank, I haven't come across anyone on this forum that knows a great deal, in depth, on the subject. All our views are based on our own experiences or whatever strikes a chord from what other's say, an opinion is an opinion at the end of the day. There are always exceptional examples, such as the lake you mentioned above. There are a lot of lakes in my area, perhaps why they move on before killing everything, but their presence is clear....... There's no need to have a pop at anyone at all, on any subject on this forum. The distance fishing comment, no need for it, people were trying to help. We are not all experts at everything, My thoughts are never set in stone, free thinker, open to new ideas and opinions. My OP, well, that's just the way I feel about it all atm.

There are more carp in our lakes and waterways than ever before. Lakes that were once mixed fisheries are being netted for Tench,Bream silvers, to create "Carp" waters, all in the name of business.... If, as a businessman, you wish to cross swords with nature itself, then expect the unexpected. The rules of business mean nothing to Mother nature. Don't cry if your business gets flooded out, hit by a hurricane or decimated by a wild animal, it happens..... You've picked a fight with a giant that you can never control...... So take it on the chin or move on. The more I think about it, (and I have done lately due to various threads), the more I believe that otters could well be the saviour that true carp fishing needs. IMO, the industry has created a monster, too many anglers fishing for too many fish, 30lbers ten a penny, lakes with nothing under 20lb. An industry that feeds more Asians than Brits. The true ethos of angling, be that hunting or trapping, and the skills that come with it, being lost to people shooting fish in a barrel. The odd runs water, fine for youngsters to learn how to handle double figure fish..... Lakes with 80 plus carp per acre, no thanks. Nature would have nothing to do with that and reminds us every now and then by natural culling, via disease or predation, low oxygen etc.... Yes, otters were reintroduced, but not all of them. They've bred successfully and spread around the country because of the rich pickings that the businessman has put on a plate for them. Ask these questions, Do otters damage businesses?............... Can do. Does otter predation damage angling?...........Nope, not in my opinion. Not for the sort of angling I enjoy. There are still fish to be caught and in more natural numbers. If fewer fish leads to a decline in anglers on the bank then bring it on. It will be an acid test to see what people are really in it for.... The pleasure or the man made glory. I'd wager, that when the balance is achieved, with healthy numbers of otters and fish side by side, that there will still be 100 times more carp than there used to be. But whilst we are still stuffing more fish into our lakes,(again, all in the name of business) that balance will be hard to achieve. They say "Don't mix business with pleasure", I'd go further to say "Don't mix business with nature"

I think it depends what you want out of your fishing and how much the ticket costs..... If they are getting caught, then why not have a go for them. If it's one particular fish you are targeting and you are not sure if it is still in there, that could mess with your head. If you are looking for a bite a chuck, probably not the best place to fish either..(but who want's that anyway?) Here's the thing, a place gets a reputation for being ottered, loads of anglers drop off, more bank space, still enough fish to go at. It's not all bad.... You'll get a better idea of what's left when they group up to spawn. If it's a big enough water, the otter may have found easier pickings elsewhere having thinned the numbers out on your lake. And just like the otter, the glory hunters will look for easier pickings too, imo, making the few anglers that fish it, easy to be around. A real buzz catching one too, as you don't know what's left. In some ways like fishing for the unknown... So, "yes" to your question. As long as price and expectations are set accordingly imo.

I find that if the stripped off bit is too long once the rig is tied, just push it back through the eye and give it a couple more wraps round the shank and then pull back through the eye again. If the stripped section is too short when the rig is tied, just push the coating up a bit with finger nails. You will soon get it spot on.

A few things come into play imo. how big a loop you want on the hair, how many times you want to wrap around the shank, how much stripped braid you want leaving the eye of the hook, what size bait/hair length. Trial and error really, but once you are settled on a favourite rig/presentation and tried tying a few, you'll soon get a feel for how much to strip off.

I put a couple of spares in each rod bag. I recently decided to stick to one shape as much as I can, "square pears" in 2.5/3 oz, covers 99% of my fishing..... Like you Bluelabel, I used to carry loads, 20 plus and all shapes, sizes and coatings... Some tiny 1/2 oz inlines, that I forgot I had... Once you get to that stage, you may as well give them away, which is exactly what I did.

There was a similar hook out years back, pre knotless knot. Not sure who made it, but it was called a hair rig hook and there was more like a small ring soldered onto the shank. It may well have been Mustard who made it. But the knotless knot made the hook redundant....... Those pictured will be useful for anyone who can't tie a "D" rig. Wouldn't mind seeing the metal work starting further away from the eye, the extra weight at the business end might help the hook point drop into place more effectively imo....... Someone will find these useful, but hooks are rarely used multiple times, so, for me, they are a bit pricey.

That's pretty mad.. Never took the time to test it before. I should think that , as mentioned, whatever the loop is attached to ,will pull it down......... I sometimes will put a small section of thin gauge heat shrink tubing half way along the hook link. Mainly to help with tangles on the cast if I'm using a longer hook link. But also to help straighten the rig out on the deck, as long as i'm using a slow sinking bait or pop up.. Heavy bottom baits will sink quickly and potentially loop things up a bit. Anti tangle sleeves also help the rig straighten out imo, again, with a slow sinking bait. One thing I haven't used yet for a boom section, and I keep meaning to, is the lead free leader materials.(Nash, cling on, for instance) I'd class a small section of that as semi stiff, and it will hug the bottom.

I don't really cast more than 80yds for most of my fishing, so as long as I've got 200/250 yrds of line on the spool, and it's loaded to the lip of the spool, I'm happy.... Some people pack the spool out first with some old line or string or wool I've even used electricians tape to do this, if you have deep spools...

Probably a bit of both mate. .... I'm judging flouro from at least a decade back, can't remember for sure which brand, Kryston I think and also Korda's at the time. Didn't really get on with them. But like you say, with the improvements, might be worth a revisit.

I haven't had a chance to use the Carp R us, but it is meant to have a bit of stretch in it compared to other flouros that are a bit brittle IMO, and a slight nick will often see them part. TBH, I'm not a massive fan of flouro and have slated it before. But me seeing this stuff coincided with one of my mates catching a few , slack lining with a flouro mainline. I'll remember that knot when I get round to using it, cheers....... When you are on a run of blanks, it's easy to blame anything from mainline to hooks to bait etc. I'm a sucker for trying new bits, gets me in a pickle sometimes..

Tell you what though, I did pay £40 for 400mtres of Carp-R-Us flouro quite a while back....... Lost a couple of fish to flouro hooklinks, and went of the idea of using it on the water I was fishing.... Still on the spool in the shed.

Have you ordered the "soft" Dave?..... If so, let us know what you think mate. I've only used it in the "semi stiff"

I've bought 2 bulk spools in the last 6 mnths for around £18 a spool, which is about the going rate if you look around..... £40? no chance.

1 bulk spool of the 6.1kg, which is roughly 13 lb breaking strain, is 1500 mtres..... That's plenty. Half of what you put on will never see daylight, so you can just flip the line round next time you re spool. Great spot Smuft....... Just paid £17 a few days ago.

Sorry mate , can't help on that. But if it's a really supple braid you are after I can vouch for the Korda Supernatural..... For coated, ESP Tungsten Loaded. Not really the answer you wanted, but thought I'd mention it.

Yeah he really is... The original owners thought he was vicious. But it was because they'd fed him loads of sweets and biscuits and some of his teeth were rotten and his jaw was swollen as a result... He wouldn't let anyone too near him, especially other dogs. But once I got his teeth sorted and a few taken out he was a completely different dog. I think he's just grateful to have a pain free life now. He always looks scruffy, he's got real character.

I thought they looked a bit vicious when they came out mate. There was a mixed response from a FB group I was on. Haven't used them myself, quite happy with the ESP Cryogen range. I have to say that I'm a big fan of Gardner in general and it's the first time I can remember questioning one of their bits. It's lazy angling really imo. As a more freindly version can be created with a bit of shrink tube , whereby the shrink tube will straighten out under the tension of a take. These are a crafty way of getting round the "bent hook", which are banned on most waters imo.

Funny thing is, they'll chase it if it moves.... If it stops they are clueless..... The cat learned that one..... Archie just looks confused when the cat stops and stares at him..... Rodents will keep on the move, that's why they get caught

Solar seem to have all bases covered with these indicators..... Wish I'd seem them before a recent "stow" purchase...... I like the look of these for versatility. https://www.total-fishing-tackle.com/solar-titanium-long-arm-indicator

If you can get away with banksticks, I'd go down that rout. I've got a stainless pod/goalpost/cross bar set up. And although it's indestructible and has lots of options, they do tend to be quite heavy. It was the best I could afford at the time (12 yrs ago ).... If I was buying today, the Fox Black label pod and sticks would be my preferred choice, just because it's light and compact and descreet. And suits the smaller lakes that I tend to fish. But you also have to take into account that you may want to use it on more than one water which might involve carrying a few different options , regarding front sticks, so price and weight, will come into play when you want to make additions to your set up. This is where the higher end stainless will cost a few bob and weigh a bit more with extras. My first choice is sticks, followed by sticks with stage stands (if the swim will accommodate), then if I can't use either, then the cross bars come out and the sticks with snag bars are converted into a pod, which I try to avoid as it can be a little fiddly if you are OCD with getting it all plumb..... Stainless will last you a life time and looks and feels brand new with a clean up, even after 12 years of abuse. ( Matrix Super Slinky, was my choice a good while back ).... One thing I'll add is, don't be taken in by cheaper stainless options, you'll find the screws, threads and overall build quality is far more inferior compared to a higher end set up which will be more solid and "tighter", if you know what I mean.

Outcasts or Fox Warrors...... Both good for the money and around £60 a pop.

Have to agree Nick. 5 of my 6 six fish this year have come from the margins, I mean 2/3 feet from the bank and not a couple of rod lengths out.... Unfortunately I have only been able to fish like this through the night due to the fish moving out into open water during the days.... I love fishing like this, easier to present a bait and pre bait when no one is about/awake. The takes are absolute one toners that get your heart racing.