B.C.

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.

Good advice CM. It shall be One or the other.... I can always remember float fishing a sprat at about half depth on the river as a kid. This huge pike, must have been all of 6lb, came up through the cabbages from beneath. It was around the time the film "Jaws" came out, and it's exactly what it reminded me of. One of those sweet moments that you never forget, growing up. Needless to say it missed my sprat and on telling the tale it was more like 30lb. There are no cats present, but I'll take the advice from this thread and just do one or the other.

Thanks Nick. I'll probably just start by putting a third rod out with a popped up Mackeral to start with. The carp are still on the munch at the moment. But when they slow down I'll have a little dabble at the pike. I'm sure there's quite a few in there. That is odd about your lakes. I expect there are many tricks to learn as with all species, light levels, air pressure , topography , thermals etc. I have stubbornly stuck it out solely for carp in winters past. But when things go really quiet , it's all to easy to miss the odd trip. And having just started enjoying myself on the bank again this year, I really don't want to slow it down too much. Bit of pike fishing might help keep the toes warmer. Cheers for the tips.

Cheers buddy. That's what I was thinking. Didn't really fancy having to recast every hour or so, too much disturbance.

Having not done much Still water pike fishing, I was wondering how active they were once the temperatures drop? I intend having a rod out for pike this winter with a dead bait approach. How often would you re-cast if you had no action? I've fished for pike on rivers where I have kept on the move and on still waters with lures and spinners. Not done much dead baiting on a still water. It would be nice to see a decent sized pike on the mat. Haven't fished for them for over a decade. Caught them to low doubles in the past on the river. But one of the carp anglers landed an 18 on a fish meal boilie in June. Think this lake has the potential to do one or two big pike. But they are largely ignored.Any suggestions most welcome. cheers.

Agree, but whenever a bulk load was needed, me and a couple of mates would all club together for ingredients and make a night of it with a few beers.. Like a mini assembly line, four of us 60 / 80KG in about 6hrs at around £2.50/kg, with bulk loads you really need a few of you when you're using basic equipment.

There are loads of little local bait firms that are around £5/6 kg. But chances are every angler locally is on the same bait....You can make a decent bait for around £3 a kg that will catch fish. And for £5 a kg you can make a top bait with quality ingredients. If I'm making bait, then I'm fishing. So I'd never factor in my own time as a cost as it would be one small part of a pastime that pretty much takes up all of my time. Also, you can tweak your own bait be it with ingredients, shape, size ,all the time to suit circumstances, most bait firms charge for this. I think if you're concerned about a few hours bait making being expensive, then you would probably have to ask yourself, How much does each fish I catch cost me? Basically, if you enjoy making your own bait and gain confidence from it, you will make it. If you're not really into it, then you'll probably look for a reason not to do it. The first time I saw fish boshing over my home mades gave me a real buzz.