|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #10
Seems like I am one of the few that have managed this 
I cant remember exactly, but I think I had 6 or 7 off the top. Five takes and four landed in first two hours... I had the lake to myself, and so the fish were not feeling pressure.
No need to complicate this. Out with mixers, and see if they take. If they do, then standard floater gear with bolt-bubble will do it. If not, then try again and again or just fold your cards...
I could not get a take off the top on the one lake, as they were only taking mixers close to a natural safe-zone where it was difficult to cast a bait to. They were also being a bit cute. In the other lake where I did get fish, it was middle of open water and the feeding frenzy with 30-50 carp going for it was something else. However, I did also try putting out floaters in the shallows in that same lake, and there they were seriously cagey. I think I would have struggled to catch one there, even though they were taking freebies occasionally. But casting and drawing back was just too obvious to them and they drifted away in the end.
One of the mange observations I had (I was sitting beside the dam and above the fish so saw everything) - was that even freebie bread they did not seem to like. Several times I watched then turn from bread while sucking in mixers like crazy. In this lake, I am pretty sure no one has caught one off the top (and probably not tried either).
There is also a third lake, with only modest stocking density and seriously old fish, where I know they have caught a 50 off the top. We did not try when were there, but they looked somehow catchable. Pretty sure we saw one or two mouth the surface and we had not put out anything. In my experience, if they mouth surface, then they are surface-catchable. Mixers are going with us in September...!!!!
Kevin
|
|
| | | Belch | | Posts: 4128 |  | | MODERATOR | |
|
In reply to Post #1
. . .think it does depend on the lake / stock / fish history but all the lakes I've ever fished in France floater fishing has been a bit of a waste of time. Think it was the old baliff on Redmill who told me that stockies in France are reared on sinking pellet only whereas UK fish have a combination of sinking/floating so they are hardwired into surface feeding . .
Logic would however say all French carp must feed on hatches / surface bugs etc but slurping up mixers is perhaps not in their DNA? One method (if its allowed) worth trying is the beachcaster set up - never used it myself in France but probably worth a punt if your bored / struggling - it really confuses UK carp and if you cannot catch them off the top with that method then I def wouldn't bother!
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #10
 you'll have to report back now 👍
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #9
Its interesting the different experiences lads have had with surface fishing over there, proper chalk and cheese!!! Im making it my mission to take one off the top when I get there but being the worst surface angler going im not holding out much hope!
|
|
|
|
|
I've never had 1 off the top and I've never seen anyone else trying. I'd say the fish simply aren't used to it in general, but where they are I'd see no good reason they wouldn't, anywhere in the world.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #7
YES !!!!!!!!!
and I have been to loads of French lakes where they wont touch a top bait free ones fed for a week have not been touched fact !
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
I remember the Carpforum social to La Botte in 2005. It was red hot, loads of carp were in a corner bay with overhanging trees. Would they take floaters? Would they buggery. The bailiff said we could have a free holiday if we could catch one off the top 
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
If people say "they don't take floaters" 100% they take floaters
It's as if French carp suddenly lose their instinct to feed on Mayfly hatches just because they live a hundred miles south of Dover 
On one occasion I turned up and the first thing I done was get the mixers out. My morning routine that week was usually to stick the kettle on, light up a Benson, and let an oily floater drift along the surface within the mist. Great memories!
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #2
Ha ha thanks for the info lads im defo gonna have a go in a couple of weeks then, temps in ljmoges nearly 40 degrees atm!!! 
|
|
|
|
|
Hope you have packed biscuits pour chiens and a bit of le pain or you’ll be getting nowhere with those french fish.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
Just finished packing mine to take tomorrow. People say French carp dont take floaters but they do, they are carp after all
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
Hi
I have had them taking floaters in two lakes in France. For several reasons, these are the only two lakes in France where I have tried this.... So 100% success then - tee hee.
In one of the lakes I also managed to capture a few off the top - despite the owner indicating that they did not take floaters. I simply started to catapult dog floaters and they sucked them down like sweeties. First take almost instantly. They soon wised up however, which is a story in itself as I still cannot fathom out how they managed to wise up to the hook bait despite never being fished for on the top, and that they were still taking freebies like crazy.
If the conditions are right, the fish are up for it, then you don’t have to change tactics from UK. Bottom line, ping out some floaters and see what happens.....
Kevin
|
|
|
|
|
As above, does everyone religiously take their floater gear to France with them or not? You don't see many people doing it when over there I've found. Can anyone share their experiences of doing so in france and is there anything different I should consider as I'm off over there in a few wks and I'm taking my floater gear. Cheers
|
|
General Carp Discussion