In reply to Post #1
Are you seeing anything where you're fishing? Do you feel like you should have caught on your trips?
The only time you should start looking for an “edge” is when your consistently on feeding fish and aren't catching or feel you should have had more.
You could use any method/rig/bait in the world but if you're putting it in the wrong place it isn't going to make a blind bit of difference.
Listen to Mark and make sure you're finding them when they're feeding. There is no bigger “edge”.
Are you seeing anything where you're fishing? Do you feel like you should have caught on your trips?
The only time you should start looking for an “edge” is when your consistently on feeding fish and aren't catching or feel you should have had more.
You could use any method/rig/bait in the world but if you're putting it in the wrong place it isn't going to make a blind bit of difference.
Listen to Mark and make sure you're finding them when they're feeding. There is no bigger “edge”.
In reply to Post #1
Spend less time with the rods in the water and more time trying to find them. Find where they frequent...... ignore all the faddy rigs and methods.....a simple knotless knot rig in the right place is better than a spin wizzer anti flip anti eject fandango rig....in the wrong place.
Spend less time with the rods in the water and more time trying to find them. Find where they frequent...... ignore all the faddy rigs and methods.....a simple knotless knot rig in the right place is better than a spin wizzer anti flip anti eject fandango rig....in the wrong place.
My biggest edge is that I wear more carp branded clothing than anybody else on the lake. I also speak entirely in carp lingo whilst at the lake and I refuse to use any vowels at all so I can spend more time watching the water. Furthermore, I get a discount of 5 pence per kilo on my boilies (RRP £14.50 per kg) through my lucrative bait sponsorship deal with is obviously another big edge.
In reply to Post #18
Your on it,
Your on it,
In reply to Post #18
Finally some common sense thinking on fishing on this thread
Finally some common sense thinking on fishing on this thread
In reply to Post #1
I always think it's a lazy answer to say “be different” different for different sake is a nonsense.
I think the most underrated edge is DO EVERYTHING FOR A REASON what are the problems.
I've had beat myself up moments, but when you boil them down all are fairly easy in isolation, but all are different. Sometimes it's bait, rigs, line lay, presentation. If everyone's on 10mm baits it doesn't mean 20mm will work, if everyone is using 4oz leads aren't an edge.
An edge to me is where you look at the situation and work out the why and how..
If a water is dominated by maggots fish them better, different types of live baits, different traps - do the same but 10% better
My syndicate started to get really twitchy bites a couple of winters ago, it took a few weeks going back through things before you come up with it. My solution was probably very different to others but it was thought through.
I'm big on line lay and angles, it's only an edge if you can have the space to fish areas from different swims, on busier waters it's just not possible.
Dropping singles from a boat might be an edge, if the problem is distance and spots.
The method can be brilliant but you need to think why, same with chods, they were to overcome a problem, using them on clear spots will work but if they do think why, and make it better suited.
Every edge I've ever learnt is about understanding why the angler did it and what was the situation they were trying to overcome, then employ the lateral thinking NOT the exact solution.
I always think it's a lazy answer to say “be different” different for different sake is a nonsense.
I think the most underrated edge is DO EVERYTHING FOR A REASON what are the problems.
I've had beat myself up moments, but when you boil them down all are fairly easy in isolation, but all are different. Sometimes it's bait, rigs, line lay, presentation. If everyone's on 10mm baits it doesn't mean 20mm will work, if everyone is using 4oz leads aren't an edge.
An edge to me is where you look at the situation and work out the why and how..
If a water is dominated by maggots fish them better, different types of live baits, different traps - do the same but 10% better
My syndicate started to get really twitchy bites a couple of winters ago, it took a few weeks going back through things before you come up with it. My solution was probably very different to others but it was thought through.
I'm big on line lay and angles, it's only an edge if you can have the space to fish areas from different swims, on busier waters it's just not possible.
Dropping singles from a boat might be an edge, if the problem is distance and spots.
The method can be brilliant but you need to think why, same with chods, they were to overcome a problem, using them on clear spots will work but if they do think why, and make it better suited.
Every edge I've ever learnt is about understanding why the angler did it and what was the situation they were trying to overcome, then employ the lateral thinking NOT the exact solution.
In reply to Post #1
Forget edges. LOCATION of feeding fish IS THE EDGE.
ALWAYS Find the fish, cast out SIMPLE, proven non tangle rigs, with proven baits you are confident in, and watch and learn from there.
Work at it, get some good walking boots, and Binoculars.
Move swims as many times as you need to, to stay on the fish, using less bait helps you move .
So you have No FOMO on baited areas you have moved off of.... LOL
Good luck, you will catch them.
Forget edges. LOCATION of feeding fish IS THE EDGE.
ALWAYS Find the fish, cast out SIMPLE, proven non tangle rigs, with proven baits you are confident in, and watch and learn from there.
Work at it, get some good walking boots, and Binoculars.
Move swims as many times as you need to, to stay on the fish, using less bait helps you move .
So you have No FOMO on baited areas you have moved off of.... LOL
Good luck, you will catch them.
During the hours of daylight I find the fish are in the snags and pads,so called safe area's..
So,purely for scientific purposes ,I have a million candle power beam it's bright..I went lamping on this shallow lake I know well,put it this way ,none of the snags had fish in them ,and in the shallow,warm margins is where i found a few fish..the pads were not moving or shaking,anyway I was not a bit surprised to find a nice amount of fish right in close,as in ,tight ,working the margins ,looking for available food..
Basically ,the fish moved out,to feed ,and next time I fished,a good few days after,I had my simple traps right in tight,to my left and right,...and I got lucky..!
I realise ,I'm in a different position to most,lamping ,but it's an eye opener,just don't do it if others are fishing...its an education,you'll be very surprised where you think fish won't be ,but actually are..
I had a lovely Trewen common last week ,six feet along the bank just past the long top,,slack line ,super quiet movements around the swim,,and five baits..
My father and uncle always ,always rammed it home to me not just about carp fishing,but other species as well ,90% of anglers are fishing over the fish,ie,they come in closer than you think,
That's my edge...in the edge,and being quiet..
So,purely for scientific purposes ,I have a million candle power beam it's bright..I went lamping on this shallow lake I know well,put it this way ,none of the snags had fish in them ,and in the shallow,warm margins is where i found a few fish..the pads were not moving or shaking,anyway I was not a bit surprised to find a nice amount of fish right in close,as in ,tight ,working the margins ,looking for available food..
Basically ,the fish moved out,to feed ,and next time I fished,a good few days after,I had my simple traps right in tight,to my left and right,...and I got lucky..!
I realise ,I'm in a different position to most,lamping ,but it's an eye opener,just don't do it if others are fishing...its an education,you'll be very surprised where you think fish won't be ,but actually are..
I had a lovely Trewen common last week ,six feet along the bank just past the long top,,slack line ,super quiet movements around the swim,,and five baits..
My father and uncle always ,always rammed it home to me not just about carp fishing,but other species as well ,90% of anglers are fishing over the fish,ie,they come in closer than you think,
That's my edge...in the edge,and being quiet..
In reply to Post #1
12 acres is a small water - plot up in the margins in a swim that'll see good traffic of carp, be very quiet and use particles. Most waters I fish right now, everyone is doing the same thing - cast into the middle, spod out non stop and then moan about the poor fishing. I absolutely rinsed a club water recently where they all fished like that - I fished 2 rods where you can use 3, both in the edge, tigers and peanuts. 17 fish over 2 days, 14 were 20's, 2 of those over 30. Only one other person fishing even had a run. I find this scenario quite common on a lot of waters. People fish like robots.
12 acres is a small water - plot up in the margins in a swim that'll see good traffic of carp, be very quiet and use particles. Most waters I fish right now, everyone is doing the same thing - cast into the middle, spod out non stop and then moan about the poor fishing. I absolutely rinsed a club water recently where they all fished like that - I fished 2 rods where you can use 3, both in the edge, tigers and peanuts. 17 fish over 2 days, 14 were 20's, 2 of those over 30. Only one other person fishing even had a run. I find this scenario quite common on a lot of waters. People fish like robots.
In reply to Post #24
I've found that doesn't get fished often it's at the end of bank with swims that are really awkward to fish so I'm hoping less pressure will see them along this bank and onto my pre baited spot,I've baited it the last 2 weeks 4 nights a week clearing some of the weed while doing it with birds and carp I hope doing this,I'm dropping on tomorrow in the hope I'm in with a chance👍🏼
I've found that doesn't get fished often it's at the end of bank with swims that are really awkward to fish so I'm hoping less pressure will see them along this bank and onto my pre baited spot,I've baited it the last 2 weeks 4 nights a week clearing some of the weed while doing it with birds and carp I hope doing this,I'm dropping on tomorrow in the hope I'm in with a chance👍🏼
In reply to Post #23
During the hours of daylight I find the fish are in the snags and pads,so called safe area's..
On my syndicate lake from first light onwards you can see the fish go back from where they were feeding at night towards the weebeds, occasionally picking up a bait. 11am is pretty much cutoff time for bites unless you can find them.
There are the occasional few of the new stockies that stay out, but the originals are normally well hidden.
In winter though the fish do occasionally show during the day and to last light.
During the hours of daylight I find the fish are in the snags and pads,so called safe area's..
On my syndicate lake from first light onwards you can see the fish go back from where they were feeding at night towards the weebeds, occasionally picking up a bait. 11am is pretty much cutoff time for bites unless you can find them.
There are the occasional few of the new stockies that stay out, but the originals are normally well hidden.
In winter though the fish do occasionally show during the day and to last light.
Biggest edge you can have is time
In reply to Post #24
100% agree with this doing something different can give you bonus fish
100% agree with this doing something different can give you bonus fish
In reply to Post #24
Often difficult on my club lakes to be able to fish like that. I remember a few years ago one guy set up multiple signs on the path either side of his swim warning people he was margin fishing and to be quiet. That's the reality of fishing busy club waters. Stopping a Muppet casting into your swim from the opposite bank is a whole nuther kettle of fish.
Often difficult on my club lakes to be able to fish like that. I remember a few years ago one guy set up multiple signs on the path either side of his swim warning people he was margin fishing and to be quiet. That's the reality of fishing busy club waters. Stopping a Muppet casting into your swim from the opposite bank is a whole nuther kettle of fish.
Time is the biggest edge, can't catch fish while you are at work or doing family things 
You can however make things work for you by continuing to bait up every week for example. For years I have also planned my fishing around the weather, if it's red hot for example and I know not much is happening I will take the family out or do other things, if it's overcast with a good blow I will be planning some time off. As mentioned you need to be on FEEDING fish and you need to be there when they are FEEDING
Location is also the key and I have caught fish in literally minutes of turning up, right spot, right time
Get on a good bait with a track record if you are in any doubt then forget about bait
Another one, be ADAPTABLE, don't become numb to the situation, be ready to change, and NEVER become a sheep unless it's working otherwise you will just get what you get, baaaaaaaa
Spodamania, killed before started
Stay focused, watching the water and looking is the key
Over the years I have been distracted many times by doing other things, fishing other waters on socials with mates etc. It costs you fish.
As already mentioned, as carp anglers when we are on the bank we have plenty of time, early morning before first light and last thing at night are prime fish spotting times, you only need one sign in a lot of cases
I have also spent many a night listening to fish crashing out in others areas of the lake knowing I have got it wrong and I could be catching, that's fishing but learn from it
You can however make things work for you by continuing to bait up every week for example. For years I have also planned my fishing around the weather, if it's red hot for example and I know not much is happening I will take the family out or do other things, if it's overcast with a good blow I will be planning some time off. As mentioned you need to be on FEEDING fish and you need to be there when they are FEEDING
Location is also the key and I have caught fish in literally minutes of turning up, right spot, right time
Get on a good bait with a track record if you are in any doubt then forget about bait
Another one, be ADAPTABLE, don't become numb to the situation, be ready to change, and NEVER become a sheep unless it's working otherwise you will just get what you get, baaaaaaaa
Spodamania, killed before started
Stay focused, watching the water and looking is the key
Over the years I have been distracted many times by doing other things, fishing other waters on socials with mates etc. It costs you fish.
As already mentioned, as carp anglers when we are on the bank we have plenty of time, early morning before first light and last thing at night are prime fish spotting times, you only need one sign in a lot of cases
I have also spent many a night listening to fish crashing out in others areas of the lake knowing I have got it wrong and I could be catching, that's fishing but learn from it