Struggles?

[jules007]

I am having a bit of an issue with getting new rods, the lake i am fishing is proving to be dam near impossible to catch a carp, been at it since october and so far nothing and spent a small fortune on replacing my gear/new end tackle and so on, but there is the smaller pool on the complex that has plenty of fish and are catchable!

Starting to feel like i should just call it a day on big lake and stick to small pool, and stop spending on all this gear, that said the Hutchy Sceptre rods are very well priced, decisions decisions

[elmoputney]

 

 

1 hour ago, jules007 said:

I am having a bit of an issue with getting new rods, the lake i am fishing is proving to be dam near impossible to catch a carp, been at it since october and so far nothing and spent a small fortune on replacing my gear/new end tackle and so on, but there is the smaller pool on the complex that has plenty of fish and are catchable!

Starting to feel like i should just call it a day on big lake and stick to small pool, and stop spending on all this gear, that said the Hutchy Sceptre rods are very well priced, decisions decisions

I went through that too when I restarted. I've had about 5 sets of rods in the last 6 or 7 years, sonik, wychwood, daiwa, sonik, free spirit, 

In my opinion you are best off just buying the set you really want now and save yourself going through loads of cheap rods. I had 10ft 3lb soniks and within about 6 months of use they had gone a bit soft. 

Also the weather is now turning in your favour, just stick at it, find the fish, bait them and you will catch them, 

[salokcinnodrog]

2 hours ago, jules007 said:

I am having a bit of an issue with getting new rods, the lake i am fishing is proving to be dam near impossible to catch a carp, been at it since october and so far nothing and spent a small fortune on replacing my gear/new end tackle and so on, but there is the smaller pool on the complex that has plenty of fish and are catchable!

Starting to feel like i should just call it a day on big lake and stick to small pool, and stop spending on all this gear, that said the Hutchy Sceptre rods are very well priced, decisions decisions

I had that on my syndicate lake, for almost a whole year. 

I joined in September 2020, and did not catch a carp until August 2021, just before renewal when I had a double and a 20 in the same night. It was a stressful struggle. I got to the stage of if it could go wrong, it would go wrong.

The next few years were gradually learning the lake, a few more carp, and pike in winter or on the occasional pop-up, but getting to understand the place. That learning, just when you think you have it sussed, it turns around and sends you gremlins.

 

[jules007]

51 minutes ago, salokcinnodrog said:

I had that on my syndicate lake, for almost a whole year. 

I joined in September 2020, and did not catch a carp until August 2021, just before renewal when I had a double and a 20 in the same night. It was a stressful struggle. I got to the stage of if it could go wrong, it would go wrong.

The next few years were gradually learning the lake, a few more carp, and pike in winter or on the occasional pop-up, but getting to understand the place. That learning, just when you think you have it sussed, it turns around and sends you gremlins.

 

Well said mate, good words of wisdom, its odd i used to fish this lake way back and felt i knew the lake but just seems every session is a new learning curve, will stick with it

[framey]

old school

Pay the lake … 👍👍

 

[salokcinnodrog]

On 21/04/2025 at 09:21, jules007 said:

Well said mate, good words of wisdom, its odd i used to fish this lake way back and felt i knew the lake but just seems every session is a new learning curve, will stick with it

The funny thing is that the lake I'm on gives so many difficulties; 185 carp in 45acres, with loads of natural food, so not overstocked. It is very weedy, and has plenty of birdlife, which the swans can be a right pain as it is not particularly deep.

The carp aren't spread equally, the water can be devoid of fish in certain areas, and they don't show regularly. It has a pretty much East to West orientation and the east end is the shallowest, so a westerly wind doesn't push them all the way.

Then we have the syndicate, I can be the only person on there for a whole week, and see absolutely nobody. I walk Sky round almost every day I am there, as it's a 2mile circuit, a slow walk so I can watch the water and look for fish.

Then we have bait, the fish don't need it, but you might need to bait heavily to compete with naturals, or the hi-viz attractor bait. BUT, don't bait up on them as they are wary and will move away.

I should say that this is the hardest lake I have ever fished, but you know when it comes right.

 

[yonny]

I tend to fish harder lakes with very limited time so blanking is part of the furniture. Sure it can be frustrating, but it doesn't break me and I never question my tactics (unless I see something that tells my I'm using the wrong tactics which in itself I would consider to be a result.... critical info learned innit).

Ultimately, I'm not going to get the buzz I seek from easy, heavily stocked waters. If that means I have to go for longer periods without catching then so be it. I'd rather spend my one night a month doing everything in my power to find and catch something special than queuing up on a day ticket to catch a fish that comes out once a week.

On 21/04/2025 at 05:43, jules007 said:

Starting to feel like i should just call it a day on big lake and stick to small pool

Again - I don't get this. In years gone I've retreated to easier waters when it looks like a blank year is on the cards but the result is always the same - catch a few doubles or twenties that mean very little to me..... feel like I've wasted precious time that could've been spent chasing the proper ones...... go back to the hard lake and stay there until I've achieved what I wanted to achieve. Basically a pointless exercise. 

Of course it's all personal choice but for me: the harder the task, the bigger the buzz when it's job done. That's in all walks of life imo - not just fishing.

[kevtaylor]

I'm like Ian in this respect, if it's easy what's the point?

Blanking is a natural part of the process and even if I were top rod on the venue there would still be lots of blanks going on.  The only people bothered by me blanking are friends and family who think it matters, I'm perfectly happy learning in my own time and enjoying the experience.  Looking back now I'd have hated to catch my target early, almost a fluke, not understanding what it means to be so fortunate - if and when my time comes it will mean more to me than 10,000 fish from easy waters.

Back in my 20s we fished a fairly large water, choked with weed and only 37 Leneys stocked in the 70s, we blanked for over a year but loved the lake, learning and social elements.  It took away any pressure to catch coz everyone knew the size of the challenge, we didn't really think about that or understand what we'd signed up to - we just enjoyed it.  We didn't know how lucky we were looking back was a great early experience that I still draw on now.

[salokcinnodrog]

That's my point, when it comes right it does mean so much.

The common went in in 2018 at 18lb, it's now over 30lb, the linear was a 2020 stocking that was double figures.

Last season I did have a very good year, although a 6 fish session really made my season

3 minutes ago, kevtaylor said:

I'm like Ian in this respect, if it's easy what's the point?

Blanking is a natural part of the process and even if I were top rod on the venue there would still be lots of blanks going on.  The only people bothered by me blanking are friends and family who think it matters, I'm perfectly happy learning in my own time and enjoying the experience.  Looking back now I'd have hated to catch my target early, almost a fluke, not understanding what it means to be so fortunate - if and when my time comes it will mean more to me than 10,000 fish from easy waters.

Back in my 20s we fished a fairly large water, choked with weed and only 37 Leneys stocked in the 70s, we blanked for over a year but loved the lake, learning and social elements.  It took away any pressure to catch coz everyone knew the size of the challenge, we didn't really think about that or understand what we'd signed up to - we just enjoyed it.  We didn't know how lucky we were looking back was a great early experience that I still draw on now.

 

2 hours ago, yonny said:

See I don't get this. I tend to fish harder lakes with very limited time so blanking is part of the furniture. Sure it can be frustrating, but it doesn't break me and I never question my tactics (unless I see something that tells my I'm using the wrong tactics which in itself I would consider to be a result.... critical info learned innit).

Ultimately, I'm not going to get the buzz I seek from easy, heavily stocked waters. If that means I have to go for longer periods without catching then so be it. I'd rather spend my one night a month doing everything in my power to find and catch something special than queuing up on a day ticket to catch a fish that comes out once a week.

Again - I don't get this. In years gone I've retreated to easier waters when it looks like a blank year is on the cards but the result is always the same - catch a few doubles or twenties that mean very little to me..... feel like I've wasted precious time that could've been spent chasing the proper ones...... go back to the hard lake and stay there until I've achieved what I wanted to achieve. Basically a pointless exercise. 

Of course it's all personal choice but for me: the harder the task, the bigger the buzz when it's job done. That's in all walks of life imo - not just fishing.

 

[yonny]

25 minutes ago, kevtaylor said:

Back in my 20s we fished a fairly large water, choked with weed and only 37 Leneys stocked in the 70s, we blanked for over a year but loved the lake, learning and social elements.  It took away any pressure to catch coz everyone knew the size of the challenge, we didn't really think about that or understand what we'd signed up to - we just enjoyed it.  We didn't know how lucky we were looking back was a great early experience that I still draw on now.

I can relate to this massively. It was an 80 acre nature reserve with a very low stock that did it for me. I was nowhere near ready for it and blanked for a whole season before catching one right at the end (to this day one of the best I've ever caught). What a learning curve it was. The buzz from catching that carp set me on a path that I could never go back from.

There are very few blanks that wind me up. As long as I learn something (i.e. literally anything) about the lake or its inhabitants on a blank, I'm not bothered. Every now I'll have a blank session where nothing is learned and that's the only time I'll be a little peeved. Best thing for that is get back down there and bag one!

[kevtaylor]

50 minutes ago, yonny said:

There are very few blanks that wind me up. As long as I learn something (i.e. literally anything) about the lake or its inhabitants on a blank, I'm not bothered. Every now I'll have a blank session where nothing is learned and that's the only time I'll be a little peeved. Best thing for that is get back down there and bag one!

I agree totally, blanking but learning is progress, knowing what you did wrong is as important as getting it right I guess - the bigger picture of understanding.

I think the pressure of catching spoils it for many or they allow it to, but I'm doing this for me no one else, so I set the bar!

[yonny]

9 minutes ago, kevtaylor said:

knowing what you did wrong is as important as getting it right I guess

Spot on.

[jules007]

Im in a better place regarding the lake and the blanks, yes every blank session is a learning session, and i have tweaked my tactics and bait, to a point where i am getting odd half hearted takes, maybe nuisance fish but things are improving, thing is at 3 1/2 acres and heavy stock it should be a pretty easy venue, but i do enjoy being at the lake even if i dont catch

[salokcinnodrog]

5 hours ago, jules007 said:

Im in a better place regarding the lake and the blanks, yes every blank session is a learning session, and i have tweaked my tactics and bait, to a point where i am getting odd half hearted takes, maybe nuisance fish but things are improving, thing is at 3 1/2 acres and heavy stock it should be a pretty easy venue, but i do enjoy being at the lake even if i dont catch

I find smaller lakes harder than bigger less pressured waters.

The fish tend to be more wary, more rig aware, even more bait aware, so getting ahead of both the fish and other anglers.

It is so much harder getting rigs that the fish aren't 'used to', although current fashions can make things a little easier if everyone is on spinner or Ronnie rigs, and you can come up with something different.

When I first went onto Brackens Pool I knew it was heavily pressured, and nobody used much bait due to the rules of no catapulting or throwing bait in, everything had to be attached to PVA. I came up with my sliding revolving ring presentation (an adaptation of something I had seen Rob Maylin write about), and used plenty of big stringers, 30 boilies at a time, and would put in as many as 20casts of stringers before my hookbait cast.

The first fish I caught was in a swim that was often ignored and was 30lb. 

[yonny]

7 minutes ago, salokcinnodrog said:

I find smaller lakes harder than bigger less pressured waters.

I agree. Big waters are a case of find them, catch them. Small waters, anglers are on them all the time. You need a little time to figure it out.

[jules007]

17 minutes ago, salokcinnodrog said:

I find smaller lakes harder than bigger less pressured waters.

The fish tend to be more wary, more rig aware, even more bait aware, so getting ahead of both the fish and other anglers.

It is so much harder getting rigs that the fish aren't 'used to', although current fashions can make things a little easier if everyone is on spinner or Ronnie rigs, and you can come up with something different.

When I first went onto Brackens Pool I knew it was heavily pressured, and nobody used much bait due to the rules of no catapulting or throwing bait in, everything had to be attached to PVA. I came up with my sliding revolving ring presentation (an adaptation of something I had seen Rob Maylin write about), and used plenty of big stringers, 30 boilies at a time, and would put in as many as 20casts of stringers before my hookbait cast.

The first fish I caught was in a swim that was often ignored and was 30lb. 

Well im on the alternative rig, most anglers are like you say ronnie, spinner and slip D, i have gone back to full on Choddy, light lead with lead free leader and blatent pop up , i had a eureka moment and realised the lake is perfect for chod rig, and now im getting the odd take, plus im happy with my bait choice i think its a matter of time before i get a few out of main lake 

[jh92]

Whatever floats your boat init lol, I love catching Carp on the ressies, fishing at distance. When you lift into something feeling solid 100 yards, just feels wicked 👌 then it starts stripping you when youve got it half way back🤣 I find they fight so well on the ressies, 100% my favourite way to target carp lol. @yonnyit was your advice years ago that helped me get some of my first captures on a 90 acre water, which is now my favourite place to fish 🤣

I do try to mix it up a bit though, I go to a 4 acre estate lake with my dad, it's pretty easy to get a bite once you've cracked it, but tbf it's more about spending some time with him 👍

This year I've joined a complex with some stunning fish, I've managed 3 20s this year on the 4.5 acre lake, but still struggling on the 9 acre, not a single fish yet lol, they are very weedy lakes and just learning how to fish on them has been a massive learning curve and that's just presenting a bait 🤣

[elmoputney]

Struggles pah! 

If I don't catch the biggun after this , there is no carp god. 

Lost 2 to cut offs, bivvied up next to a rats nest, caught a 12oz rudd on a zig, managed to get the extra night, went to the shops, was having a look round the lake, when I came back thousands of wasps are flying round the same rat tree. I've taken a rod, net, mat and the hand of god baiting pole and I'm currently perched on a boat. If it wasn't fishing I would have quit, but it beats a day at work so I will enjoy it anyway. There is still time for my luck to change.