Rod Shots

[Paul S]

From a few years ago. 

[kevtaylor]

Last week in Belgium, rods far and wide on a lake booking between me and my son.

[yonny]

43 minutes ago, kevtaylor said:

rods far and wide

You've certainly got the swim covered lad!

[kevtaylor]

10 minutes ago, yonny said:

You've certainly got the swim covered lad!

Tru dat, didn't give them an inch to hide lol

[Paul S]

One from this weekend.. Only taken on a phone but with some editing they can look ok.. 

[kevtaylor]

An overnighter sat/sun felt that I was on for a big-un, 9pm a big fish rolled on the right tree line which got me going.  7am a take and I cant get out the bivvy quick enough coz of a dead arm and it manages to take line off a very tight clutch and makes the trees resulting in a cut off - absolutely gutted tbh, should have been up sat by the rod as I knew 7am was bite time!

Oh well next time I guess.

[yonny]

Saturday morning at the big pit. Big blank to go with it.

[kevtaylor]

11 minutes ago, yonny said:

Saturday morning at the big pit. Big blank to go with it.

Place looks mega!

[yonny]

18 minutes ago, kevtaylor said:

Place looks mega!

It is mate. I actually found the carp this time too... chilling out not 30y out in a weed bed. Unfortunately I only had 4oz leads on me and the carp weren't to fond of them crashing onto their heads. Schoolboy error. Got straight on the phone to order a bunch of 2 and 2.5oz for next time.

I was convinced they'd be back the next day but they didn't show up. To rub it in I found them all in the shallows on my trek back to the car to go home. 

[kevtaylor]

9 minutes ago, yonny said:

It is mate. I actually found the carp this time too... chilling out not 30y out in a weed bed. Unfortunately I only had 4oz leads on me and the carp weren't to fond of them crashing onto their heads. Schoolboy error. Got straight on the phone to order a bunch of 2 and 2.5oz for next time.

I was convinced they'd be back the next day but they didn't show up. To rub it in I found them all in the shallows on my trek back to the car to go home. 

I used my baiting pole to get them out nice and quiet this trip, might have worked in your situation, I know you don't like tech but it's only a stick with a cup on the end lol

I was pretty amazed to find I was fishing an easy underarm, turned out to be 24 metres, looked more like 10 max

[yonny]

1 minute ago, kevtaylor said:

I used my baiting pole to get them out nice and quiet this trip, might have worked in your situation, I know you don't like tech but it's only a stick with a cup on the end lol

I have one! Thing is it's miles round this lake so taking everything isn't really an option. In fact I'm taking as little as I can get away with! I'm even leaving the brew kit at home 😧

[kevtaylor]

2 minutes ago, yonny said:

I have one! Thing is it's miles round this lake so taking everything isn't really an option. In fact I'm taking as little as I can get away with! I'm even leaving the brew kit at home 😧

WHAT?!?! now that's dedication right there 🙌

[Paul S]

Moody one from the weekend..

[Paul S]

8 hours ago, yonny said:

Saturday morning at the big pit. Big blank to go with it.

Looks awesome; know how you feel.. 

 

[crusian]

On 24/08/2026 at 09:19, kevtaylor said:

An overnighter sat/sun felt that I was on for a big-un, 9pm a big fish rolled on the right tree line which got me going.  7am a take and I cant get out the bivvy quick enough coz of a dead arm and it manages to take line off a very tight clutch and makes the trees resulting in a cut off - absolutely gutted tbh, should have been up sat by the rod as I knew 7am was bite time!

Oh well next time I guess.

Well Jack doesn't need to say anything for you to see he is not impressed with your decision to be in your bivvy at bite time ! .

[kevtaylor]

3 minutes ago, crusian said:

Well Jack doesn't need to say anything for you to see he is not impressed with your decision to be in your bivvy at bite time ! .

He's right though, noddy move, this one will stay with me for a long time.  I had a feeling I was on for a big-un and the power of the take suggests it was just that!!!

Fishing is cruel at times, the losses haunt me!  I remember the worst losses more than the successful ones

[Golden Paws]

On 24/08/2026 at 10:13, kevtaylor said:

I used my baiting pole to get them out nice and quiet this trip, might have worked in your situation, I know you don't like tech but it's only a stick with a cup on the end lol

Baiting poles seems such a faff to me. OK if you are fishing very short but any sort of distance and you're like a plumber on a big job! Add a slight breeze and the thing is snaking around like a good 'un and the chances of getting  close to your spot are pretty low.

I know you hate boats Yonny but the stealth, accuracy and tight baiting they provide can't be beaten in my opinion. When they first came out I was apprehensive but I've embraced the positives they offer and I don't think it's a co-incidence that my catch rates have improved dramatically in the last few years.

Cheating? Maybe but are you still using par boiled potatoes and silver foil for indicators? If the technology exists and other people are using it, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage if you don't use it

Just my opinion, of course..  

[kevtaylor]

5 minutes ago, Golden Paws said:

Baiting poles seems such a faff to me. OK if you are fishing very short but any sort of distance and you're like a plumber on a big job! Add a slight breeze and the thing is snaking around like a good 'un and the chances of getting  close to your spot are pretty low.

I know you hate boats Yonny but the stealth, accuracy and tight baiting they provide can't be beaten in my opinion. When they first came out I was apprehensive but I've embraced the positives they offer and I don't think it's a co-incidence that my catch rates have improved dramatically in the last few years.

Cheating? Maybe but are you still using par boiled potatoes and silver foil for indicators? If the technology exists and other people are using it, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage if you don't use it

Just my opinion, of course..  

Baiting poles are a real faff I must agree, I've barely used mine due to the reasons you say, but for the swim I was going to be targeting, just perfect.  I do have a bait boat with good sonar and yes it has caught me some extra fish where I couldn't have casted - or would have spoiled it casting too much to find the very best area.  But like the baiting pole I don't usually use it or even take it with me most of the time.  New venues I will take it coz you don't know what you'll be faced with.

You're wasting your time on Yonny - he will NEVER own such a thing and doesn't need any help catching, I know I've fished with him.

I buy things because I'm bored and want some retail therapy not because I NEED them, as you'll have seen in the new purchases thread 🤣