In reply to Post #14
There's loads of good advice in the posts below and i'll just one other thing as i don't think anyone has mentioned it.
It sounds like you're new to carp fishing - so try and talk to some of the other anglers if there are any about. At worst they tell you nothing that hasn't been mentioned here....at best someone takes the time to help you out with feeling the lead down, finding spots, what bait work, what areas the fish get caught from etc, etc.
As several have mentioned - theory is one thing, being there and seeing the lake and situation is sometimes quite different.
Hope you catch and start to build some confidence.
Matt
There's loads of good advice in the posts below and i'll just one other thing as i don't think anyone has mentioned it.
It sounds like you're new to carp fishing - so try and talk to some of the other anglers if there are any about. At worst they tell you nothing that hasn't been mentioned here....at best someone takes the time to help you out with feeling the lead down, finding spots, what bait work, what areas the fish get caught from etc, etc.
As several have mentioned - theory is one thing, being there and seeing the lake and situation is sometimes quite different.
Hope you catch and start to build some confidence.
Matt
I can use any amount from a single kilo of bait to 5 or more.
That 5kg may be 4kg of Vitalin, pellets or particles or a mix of them, and a kilo of boilies, and possibly a bag of dog biscuits.
This is dependant on how many rods you can use as well, as I would fish slightly differently between two or three rods.
The first thing I do is have a good look around, looking for fish before even getting the gear out of the car.
Three rods:
If they are showing obviously, then I set up on them, and fish just a stringer or bag. If they are not showing then I pick an area. One rod will still go out with just a stringer or bag, and another with a hi-attract hi-viz pop-up.
The third rod would have me baiting up with a fair bit of the groundbait, away from the others, and then fishing on top of that.
If it is a two rod water the heavy baiting rod will not be used, and I play it by ear on the other rods. If nothing after an hour or two I will pile it in to see if that brings any action.
No matter what, during the day I would be firing in some dog biscuits to see if I can get them onto the surface. If they do then a quiet rod (or both) is reeled in, and I go surface fishing.
That 5kg may be 4kg of Vitalin, pellets or particles or a mix of them, and a kilo of boilies, and possibly a bag of dog biscuits.
This is dependant on how many rods you can use as well, as I would fish slightly differently between two or three rods.
The first thing I do is have a good look around, looking for fish before even getting the gear out of the car.
Three rods:
If they are showing obviously, then I set up on them, and fish just a stringer or bag. If they are not showing then I pick an area. One rod will still go out with just a stringer or bag, and another with a hi-attract hi-viz pop-up.
The third rod would have me baiting up with a fair bit of the groundbait, away from the others, and then fishing on top of that.
If it is a two rod water the heavy baiting rod will not be used, and I play it by ear on the other rods. If nothing after an hour or two I will pile it in to see if that brings any action.
No matter what, during the day I would be firing in some dog biscuits to see if I can get them onto the surface. If they do then a quiet rod (or both) is reeled in, and I go surface fishing.
In reply to Post #16
Yep, fished since I was a kid but new to carp fishing. Stopped fishing for a few years but wan't to get back into it and spend some more time outside.
I actually can't believe how many questions I've had. I work in IT where everything is matter of fact (e.g. if you do this, this will happen) so my OCD brain is blowing up with all these ifs/buts/maybes.
Did a lot of course fishing last year as well but definitely going to focus on carp a lot more this year. Learned a lot already so even though I might not have caught an awful lot I'm still feeling confident that I'll get there eventually.
Yep, fished since I was a kid but new to carp fishing. Stopped fishing for a few years but wan't to get back into it and spend some more time outside.
I actually can't believe how many questions I've had. I work in IT where everything is matter of fact (e.g. if you do this, this will happen) so my OCD brain is blowing up with all these ifs/buts/maybes.
Did a lot of course fishing last year as well but definitely going to focus on carp a lot more this year. Learned a lot already so even though I might not have caught an awful lot I'm still feeling confident that I'll get there eventually.
In reply to Post #18
cross reading this along with the post lockdown thread, it would seem that chucking in a load of bait right now is a waste of time and money. Loads of anglers on the banks chucking loads of bait in. not point adding to that really
I'd be looking at the water for any signs of activity, maybe trying to get into areas that look less fished but possibly on 'patrol' routes. a few freebies around your hookbait in a good margin spot could be just as effective as a kilo of bait in the same kind of areas as everyone else...
cross reading this along with the post lockdown thread, it would seem that chucking in a load of bait right now is a waste of time and money. Loads of anglers on the banks chucking loads of bait in. not point adding to that really
I'd be looking at the water for any signs of activity, maybe trying to get into areas that look less fished but possibly on 'patrol' routes. a few freebies around your hookbait in a good margin spot could be just as effective as a kilo of bait in the same kind of areas as everyone else...
There's been some really good advice on this thread.
The only thing i can add is that a good analogy to use with carp fishing is to think of the whole picture as a combination lock.
Each thing you get right brings you one step closer to unlocking the combination.
So: location, bait, bait application, presentation, rig, rig mechanics, time of year, time of day/night etc. all play a part, and the challenge is getting all those factors (and perhaps some others too) correct to unlock what works.
If you need to find the answers to the above you have to find out what works on the particular venue you are fishing, by either trying different approaches yourself and/or asking other successful anglers on there.
Putting bait out on fish can be the kiss of death on some venues, but it can also be like ringing a dinner bell on other venues.
I would always advise caution with the amount of bait you use on a new venue in the beginning, when you are fishing you are trying to catch them, not feed them up.
If you want to feed them and get them used to your bait it's best to do that when you are not fishing so they gain confidence in getting a free meal without a trip to the bank.
The only thing i can add is that a good analogy to use with carp fishing is to think of the whole picture as a combination lock.
Each thing you get right brings you one step closer to unlocking the combination.
So: location, bait, bait application, presentation, rig, rig mechanics, time of year, time of day/night etc. all play a part, and the challenge is getting all those factors (and perhaps some others too) correct to unlock what works.
If you need to find the answers to the above you have to find out what works on the particular venue you are fishing, by either trying different approaches yourself and/or asking other successful anglers on there.
Putting bait out on fish can be the kiss of death on some venues, but it can also be like ringing a dinner bell on other venues.
I would always advise caution with the amount of bait you use on a new venue in the beginning, when you are fishing you are trying to catch them, not feed them up.
If you want to feed them and get them used to your bait it's best to do that when you are not fishing so they gain confidence in getting a free meal without a trip to the bank.
Least is best.
Put it in as you leave and pre-bait if you can allowing you to fish lightly baited on the day.
Put it in as you leave and pre-bait if you can allowing you to fish lightly baited on the day.
I only do short sessions and mainly use particles. I pretty much exclusively fish the margins, the key for me is to bait as many likely looking spots as possible, i would usually use a palm full of bait in each with a couple of visible baits over the top. Im not trying to hold feeding fish in one spot as a lot of bait isnt conducive to quick bites. I then just keep checking the spots until i see signs of fish, or can see the visible baits have gone. For me its best to only use small quantities.
In reply to Post #18
hahaha OCD. I too work in that god foresaken industry.
I pacify my OCD being precise with my casting. I've changed my approach a bit this year and going back to my course style of fishing little and often approach with bait.
Was out last weekend and some guys were spodding the wassits out of the lake just because the bailiff said they love a bit of grub. Thanks for letting the fish in my swim
I use pva bags mate just to keep things simple purely down to not getting much bank time and need to get a bit of bait in from the off.
Good luck fella
ATB
hahaha OCD. I too work in that god foresaken industry.
I pacify my OCD being precise with my casting. I've changed my approach a bit this year and going back to my course style of fishing little and often approach with bait.
Was out last weekend and some guys were spodding the wassits out of the lake just because the bailiff said they love a bit of grub. Thanks for letting the fish in my swim
I use pva bags mate just to keep things simple purely down to not getting much bank time and need to get a bit of bait in from the off.
Good luck fella
ATB