Upon entering a relatively enclosed swim for the first time in which both, or "multiple" margins would be fishable, I've often caught myself instinctively thinking that the far margin looks more attractive than the near margin upon which I am stood. However, it has often crossed my mind that if I was, in fact, stood upon the far margin instead then the margin upon which I was initially stood would probably look equally attractive. I've always been interested in whether it might be the emotional part of my brain trumping the logical part of my brain by being more intrigued by the mystery associated with something away from where I am currently positioned, rather than any objective reasoning.

I was wondering if anybody else suffered from a similar condition and whether they would be kind enough to try to explain why they think this may happen?

In reply to Post #1
For me I'd like to think it's the logical part of my brain , as quiet as I think I am or not trying to put a shadow over the water or no doubt one of the other members will call into my swim to say hello I like to edge my bets onto the far margin no matter which side I'm at .......but knowing my luck someone will stand opposite and give me a wave 😐

In reply to Post #1
I know what you mean. But Location is everything.
Depends on how quiet you are upon entering the swim with polaroid glasses on. Sometimes you don't need to look at the far margin.

Sometime it is far easier, quieter and stealthier to lower them in bang on the money. Get a quick bite and re-evaluate after that.

In reply to Post #1
Over the years I've probably had over 40% of my captures from the near margin. Where possible I do like to a bait on both the near and far margins. I've just always liked how precise you can be with rig placement (often by hand) and baiting.

In reply to Post #1
I know exactly what you mean, don't do it myself, never have done, but it seems a 'norm' to todays angler. I sometimes think it's a cop out for the younger generations, make as much noise on your bank as it doesn't really matter, I'm not fishing there. It's what I see, not just a derogatory unbased comment.

Case in question, Baden Hall main pool, it used to be a very good match water, probably still is, more a Carp water as of the last 10 years. I fished very quietly in the margins, no need to fish far out. Last visit 6 younger (20-mid 20's) Carpers trudged between me and my rods after coming back from a caf breaky, spooking fish about 2' out I'd worked hard to stay quiet for, they stopped pointed at the spooked fish, chatted then walked on...says it all really.

I'd never ignore the margins, especially on tough waters, the fish will go where there's least pressure in my experience. On some of the Cheshire match venues I've fished (often overlooked by Carp anglers) the fish will be under your peg, literally under the wooden platform, popping out for a much when they feel like it.

In reply to Post #1
My local lake is just like that. I fish one rod on the far bank and the other on the near. The near often does the business, I'm sure that more accurate baiting and less disturbance pays dividends.

In reply to Post #1
My tip?

Always look sideways...

Tge margins to your left and right can be just as enticing and effective

In reply to Post #1
My wife has said this for years as I always fish the far margin and she has always said why not set up on the other side

In reply to Post #1
My wife has said this for years as I always fish the far margin and she has always said why not set up on the other side. Don't know why this was posted twice

In reply to Post #1
Where I can I always have a rod in the near margin. Usually get a better line lay, more discreet and easier to bait (I hate having to walk half way around the pond to bait up, and lots of waters I fish I wouldn't be able to do it with my rods in the water anyway)

On the near margin you could easily use a method feeder, if only that worked on carp.

every time I fished a pressured water in France I would get a rod at night and exactly as you would if you were rebaiting a rod and under armed the old bait a lob into the lake

and put it there we are talking 2 to 3 metres max I often have caught the biggest fish on this rod clearly a regular supply of baits go there with people constantly chucking their baits in

funny enough if your sea fishing on a pier and want to catch a big crafty old bass under the pier simply put a mackerel head on the hook as everyone fishes and cut the fillets off the side to fish with and chuck the heads in the crafty big bass know this and love the heads anyway

In reply to Post #12
I actually had a similar experience. Fishing tight to a far margin overhanging tree on an overnighter between work. Had a few fish before dark and got my head down. Woke up to a screaming take which ended up being a low double. I couldnt be bothered to risk rechucking it to the far margin and snagging in the tree as i was tired, so i literally flicked it down my close margin thinking im not even bothered about that rod anymore. Next thing i got a take off that rod..... turned out to be the lakes biggest resident! It was literally a pub chuck in the margin no more than 5 yards away from my rod tip. Most anglers assume .. even on pressured busy waters that the carp wont come in close...... but they do and no one catches them there because no one fishes for them there. I dare say on pressured busy waters you are more likely to see carp close in because they are so used to the noise and hussle of busy swims. Def a massive edge fishing the close margins, i think many just like to see their rig fly through the air and have that satisfaction of an accurate cast and it dropping perfectly just off the far margin and thinking "thats a bite" before laying it on the rest and setting their bobbins.

In reply to Post #1
On my last session I had a carp sat inches off the bank directly under one of my rods. Sat there for ages. I could have picked it up with my hands if I wanted. At first I was quiet and slow around it to not spook it and tried to feed it, but after a while I just ignored it and carried on, I even recast the rod that was right above it and it didn't phase it. Did eventually swim off but then came back again the next day.

Have a pic of it but can't work out how to post it.

I much prefer fishing the near margins, on my waters they are always overlooked, especially as the far margins are SSSI sites so people can't enter that bank, everyone casts tight to the far margin, yet the near margin is where their left over bait or the boilie you take off the hair on a recast ends up. Last session, I fished both rods on the far margin to begin with, but baited the near marginal bushes, moving one rod into the near margin produced 4 takes, the far margin on the “going spot” produced one take - which I lost! Most of my biggest carp have come to a rod flicked up the side.

I like to set up across the front of my shelter and close to the waters edge open fronted.

The amount of times I'm woken by a carp slurping inches from my head. Water level and bank permitting.

When I fish somewhere like that I have one rod much further back with the tip
Level with the bank, some slack line and bait dropped inches out. Only works first thing before you get up.

Fishing the near .margin is often overlooked, however it's really worthwhile if you're in a swim which doesn't get many visitors, or by-passers especially if you are quiet at night. Too many so called anglers are just out fir a jolly good social and have no chance of catching under their feet. One guy on a lake if fished put signs up 40 yds up the bank on either side telling people walking by that he was margin fishing and not to approach, or speak to him and to be very careful as they walked by