Well today was another blank 😕 using Manilla and hemp. Really wanted to use maggots to top off my bait but annoyingly the shop on site had sold out. Spoke to a fella on the lake and he said he always used maggots on this particular lake. Me and my friend didn't have any luck all day casting to different spots, tweaking our Baits etc. At about 3pm the fella using the maggots shouted, hey, can you come to take a picture for me, we weighed the fish at 35 and a half pounds, a lovely mirror.
Maggots could be the key to catching winter carp. It certainly was today.
Maggots could be the key to catching winter carp. It certainly was today.
In reply to Post #16
Or matey using the maggots simply put them in the right place
The key to catching winter carp is to locate them... Granted, maggots may make a difference, but you'll still blank every trip if you're not in the right area.
Or matey using the maggots simply put them in the right place
The key to catching winter carp is to locate them... Granted, maggots may make a difference, but you'll still blank every trip if you're not in the right area.
In reply to Post #17
Couldn't agree more with this statement
Couldn't agree more with this statement
In reply to Post #18
Location is key above all else.
If you aren't on them, it won't matter what wonder/average/crap rig & bait you cast out it isn't going to rattle off
Location is key above all else.
If you aren't on them, it won't matter what wonder/average/crap rig & bait you cast out it isn't going to rattle off
In reply to Post #17
That sums it nicely👍
That sums it nicely👍
Completely agree. Shame the lake was so busy, no opportunity to move around to find the fish. Seems like everyone has taken up fishing 🎣 Hopefully next year there will be more space on the banks when people can holiday again 🤞
In reply to Post #1
Give MAD Baits a go if you fancy a change.
I've always done well on a mixture of pastel coloured baits over the winter. Their stable of NUTZ and Wicked Whites mixed together are perfect for the colour spectrum i'm after in the cold crystal clear water throughout winter.
I think they have some good deals on at the moment.
Give MAD Baits a go if you fancy a change.
I've always done well on a mixture of pastel coloured baits over the winter. Their stable of NUTZ and Wicked Whites mixed together are perfect for the colour spectrum i'm after in the cold crystal clear water throughout winter.
I think they have some good deals on at the moment.
In reply to Post #15
Ive just had free samples today by blakes flair play rhey gave me every boillie range and free tub of fruity orange pop ups. Never tried them beforr
Ive just had free samples today by blakes flair play rhey gave me every boillie range and free tub of fruity orange pop ups. Never tried them beforr
In reply to Post #23
Always had top service from Blake's.
Always had top service from Blake's.
In reply to Post #1
i use live system all year
i use live system all year
In reply to Post #15
That is a lovely bait, tastes amazing
I actually used it in the summer ironically and did really well on it.
So much choice out there!
That is a lovely bait, tastes amazing
I actually used it in the summer ironically and did really well on it.
So much choice out there!
In reply to Post #26
Blakes Snowberry or Mads Strawberry Whites?
2 lakes to choose from are a clear water with lots of dying weed this time of year 20+ acres with fish of my dreams in it but less stock, the other is a hardbottom better stocked 25+acre gravel pit with water colour mainly clear, although seems to change with the weather,(lightbulb moment!!) I think I just made my choice of lakes while writing this, for the winter anyway.
So its a 25+ acre gravel pit that'll be my winter lake, there's also a lot of cats to over 60lb, shouldn't be a problem this time of year, although you never know, so like to avoid these.
Both Snowberry & Strawberry Whites are on a special offer, but I cant decide which to buy, wish I could afford both but times are hard for all at the moment, so am asking for advice from you knowledgeable anglers which is better for my gravel pit?
I was going to delete the above but its how my brain works so I left it
Blakes Snowberry or Mads Strawberry Whites?
2 lakes to choose from are a clear water with lots of dying weed this time of year 20+ acres with fish of my dreams in it but less stock, the other is a hardbottom better stocked 25+acre gravel pit with water colour mainly clear, although seems to change with the weather,(lightbulb moment!!) I think I just made my choice of lakes while writing this, for the winter anyway.
So its a 25+ acre gravel pit that'll be my winter lake, there's also a lot of cats to over 60lb, shouldn't be a problem this time of year, although you never know, so like to avoid these.
Both Snowberry & Strawberry Whites are on a special offer, but I cant decide which to buy, wish I could afford both but times are hard for all at the moment, so am asking for advice from you knowledgeable anglers which is better for my gravel pit?
I was going to delete the above but its how my brain works so I left it
In reply to Post #27
Snowberry is a good bait but I'd be wary about it in a clear lake if there's lots of birds.
Snowberry is a good bait but I'd be wary about it in a clear lake if there's lots of birds.
In reply to Post #28
Well seeing as I actually make snowberry I can offer you some good inside advice! I find snowberry is either lethal on some lakes and on others it's the kiss of death! I have used the modern version for a few years and even Lewis read is getting some action on it at the moment. It's actually very well made for a 6 quid bait and contains some lovely peanut protein, milks and haiths clo and it tastes very nice. On waters where everyone is on maggots or particles I find I can always clump them on beds of 12mm snows. If you are the only one putting in white baits it's such a killer technique. The winter I spent on St. John's using it I was getting so many bites every night as I was the only one putting 4/5kg of little white baits out! But if I'm honest I have been to shallow lakes and it's been nothing but a waste of time as the birds can see it from outer space! Put it through a blender and you have what we call “magic fairy dust”........smells peanutty and fruity!
Well seeing as I actually make snowberry I can offer you some good inside advice! I find snowberry is either lethal on some lakes and on others it's the kiss of death! I have used the modern version for a few years and even Lewis read is getting some action on it at the moment. It's actually very well made for a 6 quid bait and contains some lovely peanut protein, milks and haiths clo and it tastes very nice. On waters where everyone is on maggots or particles I find I can always clump them on beds of 12mm snows. If you are the only one putting in white baits it's such a killer technique. The winter I spent on St. John's using it I was getting so many bites every night as I was the only one putting 4/5kg of little white baits out! But if I'm honest I have been to shallow lakes and it's been nothing but a waste of time as the birds can see it from outer space! Put it through a blender and you have what we call “magic fairy dust”........smells peanutty and fruity!
In reply to Post #29
Thank you both for your very helpful advice, some great advice for lakes everywhere.
I will be fishing in depths of 6ft-14ft so not many probs with birds in that respect, on the lake Ill be fishing its a disaster if you use a throwing stick, the gulls seem to be able to hear that sound the stick makes from miles away!!
I like the magic fairy dust, that sounds a fantastic little edge to have in your armoury.
Thank you both for your very helpful advice, some great advice for lakes everywhere.
I will be fishing in depths of 6ft-14ft so not many probs with birds in that respect, on the lake Ill be fishing its a disaster if you use a throwing stick, the gulls seem to be able to hear that sound the stick makes from miles away!!
I like the magic fairy dust, that sounds a fantastic little edge to have in your armoury.