B.C.

So many variables, size of water, stock numbers, other species.... If there are tench and bream in numbers, I might be thinking my rig wasn't sitting pretty after 24hrs without a sniff..... I'd rather leave it, but once those negs enter your head, it's hard not to re cast..... The birdlife can do that , sometimes without a bleep..... You need rock hard hookers and a rig that resets itself if you are going to leave it out for 24 hrs plus..... I've been done by the coots too many times and found that most shop bought pop ups can soften up quite quickly. OK on runs waters, but prob need checking after 24hrs... By this time , they can sometimes come off on the retrieve, especially with bait screws..

TBH, if I have had a few liners or seen/heard fish on the spot, and not been picked up I'd be inclined to think something was wrong. perhaps a bad lie with the rig and I'd probably reel in just to check.... But I do think we often reel in and re-cast for the sake of it...… I don't mind leaving one out for as long as my hook bait will stand. If there have been no signs to signal that I may have been done, I mean, if you are confident of where and how it landed first time round, no point in making more commotion imo, just to try to replicate your first cast..... In fact, I'd be more inclined to move swims altogether if I was to do anything at all..... (Which basically means , i'm leaving it lol) On busy waters, I've found, letting things quieten right down in my swims water whilst others are doing the obligatory recasts and baiting, I've picked up the odd fish, often well outside the usual bite times, completely out of the blue.... I recon you've said it all in those 2 quotes...… Bloomin hard to sit on your hands sometimes though.. Depends how well you know the water and it's residents imo….. If I think they are likely to pass through and I'm confident in my first chuck, I'm leaving it where it is...

And there's me thinking you were hard core (or just plain nuts)……. As Uncle Albert said in Only Fools, " It was so cold, the flame on my lighter froze"...…. Now that's cold lol...

I think the larger outlets are always trying to push newer products.... I get it from my local little shop, he's usually got a couple of spools in stock. or can get it within a week or so...

I know what you are saying, but I don't think the bad stuff kicked I until Feb and the two previous winters, double figures through the night in December from memory...……. I sat out last Winter, sometimes you just know..😉. (Or claim to)...

You'd be amazed at what they can find a few inches buried in silt or weed. A lot of their natural food is in just such places..... I can see how a buried bait can knock your confidence a bit though. Just depends on what sort of water you fish really. Some waters, a bright, over flavoured pop up just above the muck will get you a bite, some places, it may be a bit blatant and you could struggle for a bite..... TBH, silt can be a head ache in general. I feel more confident if I can find a slightly firmer spot where the silt isn't so deep, or even better, the seam where the silt patch meets gravel or clay...…. That's not to say I catch any more lol... I just feel better about the situation 🙂….

The first batch I had in 15lb maybe about 3 years ago and it just kept coiling up.... I remember there being some mega hot weather for a month or so and the only thing I could put it down to was leaving my spools exposed in the heat and sun... It deffo wasn't line twist as I took it on and off the spool a couple of times to try and sort it...….. Second time round was in 12lb , cast brilliant, but , seemed to just crinkle at the slightest touch of weed etc...…... I like Gardner as a company and their stuff pretty much does what it says on the tin in general imo without the usual marketing gimmiks chucked in by some firms.... I just haven't had great luck with the GTHD...…. Anything else I've had from them, has served me well...

Personally I prefer fish meals over seed/nut baits...…… A simple fishmeal bait is easy to put together and roll and in recent years, ingredients like Pre digested fish meal and liquid and powdered hydro's, make fishmeal baits far more soluble and digestible, which in turn makes them far more attractive imo, than some of the older recipes, even in cooler temps...…... I've not used ABS baits, but from what I've heard about their bait and the people that put it together, I'd have a lot of confidence in using it...…. This subject has come up recently, ie fishmeals….. Are they really fish meals?... ( I'm talking about some of the big names in bait)….. The general feeling is that they cut corners and fish meal inclusion could be as little as 10%-15%, with the rest made up with cheaper bulk ingredients..... Doesn't matter too much, as long as you are catching. But a proper fishmeal bait with 40plus % quality "blended" fishmeals included , some soluble , some with a little oil content, With some decent milks at lowish levels.... is a good good bait imo, that just won't blow. And no flavours needed to mask the lack of fishmeals…….. I have half a dustbin full of base mix atm, with a moderate amount of fishmeals in the mix, at around 35%. If I lift the lid off, it smells like a fish market. Compare that to the fish meal base mixes sold by some firms and you are struggling to sniff the fish meals in the mix...… I love a fish meal bait, the general profile of "decent fish meals" provides virtually all a fish needs nutritionally (give or take). The fish know this and will keep eating it, as long as there are no corners cut imo..... So, the other thing to consider is the type of water you fish...... Newer fisheries with hand reared fish stocked in at doubles or higher... Chances are , these fish will have been reared on fish meal pellets or similar and will be drawn to the fishy baits, recognising them as a natural food source.......... As Emcee mentioned, though,...... Doesn't matter what you use, you need to put the right amount, in the right place, at the right time. Harder than it sounds to consistently get right, even with the best bait in the world...

We have a thing in this country, jokingly referred to as "carp tax" lol...………. Basically, stick the words carp or carp fishing in the description , at it is sold, for far more, than it's actual worth...…. 😀.

I've tried fermenting particle, there's no doubt it works, but does it work loads better than just straight prep with some added molasses?...… Maybe I haven't given it a good enough go for a longer period?... One thing is for sure, the fact that the particle breaks down during the fermentation process, gives it a nice attractive cloud as it hits and falls through the water. A nice cloud of attraction, but also a fare amount of pre-occupation by the fish on the particle and with bite times being short and sweet through the Winter, imo, not the best tactic, during this time...……. Just my op' after sitting there with fish all over me several times in warmer weather and no pick up over particle, silt plumes, bubblers and the odd Tench.. grrr I'll be giving it a good go this Winter, until it gets silly cold, after sitting out last winter And I'll be going down the sweet , sugary route. After conversations on here and other places over the last couple of years, there is a general consensus that a quick energy hit would most likely keep a few fish more active, as long as they don't just shut down completely, with a really cold snap...….. Have to say, I'm not a "salt Disciple"...… I class it as a preservative with no real nutritional value.. IMO, it will hinder enzyme activity around a baited area and especially in a fishes digestive tract, meaning that they will be getting less nutrition and energy from anything eaten, possibly leading to them shutting down earlier. These are just my views and I suppose it depends on what your views on bait and nutrition are as to whether or not you agree with this...…. I leave salt and such like until Spring time, used at very low levels, if at all, at a time when they may actually need it...…….. As far as preservatives go, the only exception to the rule imo, is sugar, or simple sugars to be precise.... They offer something more than preservation of bait, an energy hit and a sparing effect on any protein consumed, which can be used for growth and tissue repair, instead of burned off as fuel..... With maize being starchy, I would be looking to convert some of the starches to simple sugars with some active yeast/Amylase...… Prep as normal and squash a few bits up to help the yeast do its thing.(maybe liquidise a cup ful) Leave, just about covered in the tepid water they were boiled in, in a bucket, with the added yeast (up to you how much you use, depending on it's strength and how quickly you want things to start breaking down) for a couple of days, lid on loose, Indoors is best for a better temperature...……. The yeast will work from the off, give it a stir now and then. I've found this to be a quicker and easier way than full on fermenting, which can be a bit stinky..... You should now have some prepped maize, with part of the carbs converted to simple sugars...……. For hook baits, I'd soak some unprepped maize in something like Talin or Thaumatin-B...……. The above is not a million miles from what I'm going to be giving a go this Winter, except I'll be using boilies and possibly Tigers instead of maize...…….. Good luck with your Winter fishing...……… TBH, if I can get anything between November and Feb, then I'll be chuffed, but I'm actually going to give it a proper go this Winter..🙂

Having a look at a couple of waters sometime before Sunday.... Reduction in ticket prices at this time of year (if there are any left) and with recent Winters being fairly mild for the most part, I think you can get a bit of value in Winter tickets these days.... Least ways, either place has got to be better than the last debacle I joined...…. Both about 1hr away on a clear run. Wanting to make a day of it really, if I can free up enough time. Good 3 to 4 hours wandering the banks on each and hopefully a quick chat with anyone fishing...…. Fingers crossed for a new water...🙂

I've got a cheapy dehydrator..... Firstly , they are bigger than they look in the pics and the stacking shelves are fairly shallow,(on my one) around 1 inch deep on my one, the top shelf with the lid on, being about 2 inches deep...…. I don't see why you couldn't use it to air dry boilies, although it may not hold as many as you'd like, but it could certainly get them started off...…. I haven't used mine for this purpose, but to dry out some fruit matter to produce fruit powders at low temps.....Pineapple, papaya and strawberries to be exact...… Although you can use them to dry out meats for the same purpose, which I haven't done yet,,,(Had liver in mind),...…. TBH, if it was to just help dry out some boilies, then I'd save your 20-25 quid and use some air dry bags or mushroom trays (which you can pick up for free at a green grocers)…….. As far as dehydrating fruits...….. 1 whole pineapple plus one whole green papaya, which takes up all the trays on my one, will take a good 48hrs on a low setting to get everything dry enough to powder up in a seed mill and will yield a massive... half a pop up tub of powder...….. The intense fruity flavour is to die for and at low temps the enzymes should still be entacted ..... But a lot of effort for a little amount...….. If you are having trouble finding affordable air dry bags...…. Just look for "mesh laundry bags" on Ebay, or grab some trays from your grocer...….🙂

This is where I'm probably feeling most comfortable, if I'm not using a heli rig.. You still have some resistance to help the hook stick, but the lead can move away from the fish on a take, initially, Not sure if you've read it yet @Brutus, but there is a rotary thread on lead set ups, very informative opening post from @greekskii and some good tips on the follow up posts..... I found it very useful for a few pointers. Worth a read if you haven't already. 🙂

I must be the only bloke on the planet that's had this problem with the Gardner GT-HD, plus a lot of crinkling...…….. It gets rave reviews from some serious anglers, Nige Sharp for instance. But I just haven't gotten on with it...(Twice..lol.)….. This is what I've had to do with the GT-HD...…. Pain in the butt at 3am when it's chucking down and you just want a quick re-cast, and unnecessary torch light on the bank, one of my pet hates.....🙂.

I like the GR60, it's one I've gone back to a couple of times if I've ever strayed or been sucked in by the marketing on other gear.. Now that the weed is clear and the water will be getting clearer as the weather cools, I have some Carp-R-Us Flouro that I might give a go through the winter on a small water I fish...….. Must of had it over 2 yrs and it is still in the wrapper... Not a massive fan of flouro's, but this one is supposed to have a little stretch in it.... Reason I steer away from them most of the time, is that my waters have become so weedy over the years, flouros tend to sink right into the weed and resemble a washing line with weed hanging off it when you are into a fish. And , being stretched, they are a bit brittle imo for fishing in and around weed. Some guys I know use it in heavy breaking strains of 18-20lb to avoid cut offs, but, tbh, imo, a fish trailing 20lb flouro, if it does break off,... Isn't far off trailing lead core.

Some things, you just can't buy...……… Good to have a few lads on here willing to share their knowledge for the benefit of everyone...……..

Love that...…..🙂

Thanks for the detailed reply buddy.....

Hi mate.... Does this stuff "ride up/down" the mainline at all ?...… Or does the stainless weave keep it from crinkling?...…. It could be the answer to my prayers. For years I've used the outer skin of lead core as tubing on leader free venues and also tried lead free leaders threaded up the line, which are both great for blending in, but tend to slip down the mainline on the retrieve or when playing fish and need sorting out a bit with each cast. A small pinch of putty helps, but isn't safe enough imo for beads to slide off safely, so can only really be fished with lead clips...… Does the sheath on this gear help to keep the tubing tucked snug under a buffer bead or similar for a heli set up?..... Is it quite supple?...…..Sorry to bombard you with a load of questions, but I very nearly pushed the "pay now button" lol..... Just thought I'd grill you a bit first 😃 I , too, find brown to be the best all round colour for 99% of lake beds. And I'm quite the fan of Rig Moral products..... I did dabble with some Kudos tungsten tubing earlier in the season. It's really supple, but I found that once you went over 30cm in length, it could be a little difficult to thread... Braided tubing imo, looks and feels more organic in the water. And not only will it take on silt to blend in better, but it will also take on liquid attractors pre cast, when dry. A little confidence boost, when fishing singles imo.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Summit-LED-Superbright-Nightstorm-600-Headlights-Camping-Festival-Fishing-x-2/223137888320?hash=item33f40df840:g:bdEAAOSwX9FZFJrk Follow the link , 2 for 13 quid..... Been using these for about 4 years now. I originally bought one for a fiver in Tesco when they were on offer...… Still use the original, but bought a couple of spares a while back, in case they get discontinued...…. You can pick up a single one for about 7-8 quid on Ebay….. I rate these little head lights, plenty of brightness options in both the white or red light settings......

If I definitely wasn't going for a while, I'd remove the batteries just in case..... I'd also take the opportunity to give my buzzers a general clean up and leave them in the airing cupboard for a week or so with the backs off to thoroughly get rid of any moisture that may be lurking...….. I would most definitely be replacing the batteries with some new ones, once back on the bank..... I trust Duracell batteries to last a bit longer and as soon as one starts to go (usually the receiver), then I will change all of them at once.. 3 alarms and receiver...….

Yes, these are my thoughts too.... Being scavengers they will eat pretty much anything once.... But I'm a great believer in fish "conditioning" themselves to promote good health and ultimately the survival of their species. It makes sense to me that a fish with scales may need slight dietary variation in order to maintain and repair scales...……. This subject came up in conversation elsewhere recently...… Now, I may have mentioned before that me and a mate used to fish together on the same lake, with the same bait, except I would leave some crushed egg shell in mine..... I caught a hell of a lot more commons they he did and he caught quite a few of the elusive mirrors that resided in the lake, I'm convinced that the egg shell played a part, it's slightly soluble and I believe they were drawn to it...…. Another guy (who's opinion I respect), recently went through some old catch diaries going back a few years and noticed that he'd had more commons on baits that contained ingredients containing higher levels of calcium, which , of course, rang a bell to me regarding the egg shell...……. These catches, coincidence? Who knows... I think we can sometimes have tunnel vision and read into something, the things we want to believe...… But , if it gives you confidence in the hunt for a particular fish, then it can only be a good thing imo……. With tin hat on I'm going to say that imo a common carp is a carp in it's purest form, that's why I like em...

I think, even on a commercial, you still need to try and find where the fish will be...….. If they've been getting hammered on certain spots through the summer, they may shy away from these spots to actually feed..... As we move into Autumn their habits will change a bit too. With weed dropping (if there is any present), the channels that funnelled fish into certain areas earlier in the year will disappear making the fish a bit more nomadic imo, giving them the opportunity to find fresh, natural, feeding spots...….. It's easy to turn up and go through the motions of previous sessions, especially when you've had a result beforehand...… Imo, as the seasons change, the fish behaviour/movement will change..... If you've had fish on your current bait then I wouldn't be pointing the finger straight at that. I'd probably work a bit on locating them in numbers. And not turn up with a swim or area in mind...….. Don't worry about the blanks, it happens..... Couple of laps with a keen eye, should put you on some fish.....

I've got a pretty short attention span and reading a book cover to cover, well, hardly ever happens...… Hutches recommendation Carp Strikes Back, I found and easy read as each chapter is a tale in it's self, quite a light read, very funny in places and also very informative on the fishing front, without being instructional. Currently reading for the second time and picked my copy up off ebay, paper back, brand new for a tenner (original !st edition copies in good nick cost a bomb). But re prints are more affordable...….. If you really want to treat yourself, then, by far the best carp angling book I've read is Terry Hearns first book, In Pursuit of the Largest... Had me rivetted from start to finish, several times, just for the sheer adventure of it, and like I say, I'm not great at finishing books...….. Not sure what they go for now, about 30 brand new, but well worth paying 20 for a used one if you see one.... Sorry, I know it's over budget, but well worth it imo..

There is an interesting statement on ABS Face Book page...… Active Bait Solutions...….. Regarding GK's previous business relationship with TD and Urban Baits..... Can't copy and paste it..... Basically stating that one party wanted to cut corners on bait ingredients, whilst the other did not...…. A good example of stealing a recipe, re-naming it and chopping it with cr8p or leaving out a couple of the expensive ingredients...… This comes straight from the horses mouth and does not surprise me at all...….