In reply to Post #1
If you don't have a boat, I would suggest aiming for smaller gravel pits or canals/smaller rivers.
The bigger waters will be hard without a boat, especially over 3/4 days.
Even medium-sized public pits are less suited to bank-only fishing, just because the swims are much more spaced out.
If you don't have a boat, I would suggest aiming for smaller gravel pits or canals/smaller rivers.
The bigger waters will be hard without a boat, especially over 3/4 days.
Even medium-sized public pits are less suited to bank-only fishing, just because the swims are much more spaced out.
In reply to Post #1
Well the week is here, I've got a big list of things to pack, tunnel is booked, we have a map with some pins and Thursday night the adventure begins.
Looks like classic spring weather with sunny days and cool nights, fingers crossed for no spawning having read the other thread and also not finding every lake busy!
Worst case we'll have a fun time camping in the sun
Well the week is here, I've got a big list of things to pack, tunnel is booked, we have a map with some pins and Thursday night the adventure begins.
Looks like classic spring weather with sunny days and cool nights, fingers crossed for no spawning having read the other thread and also not finding every lake busy!
Worst case we'll have a fun time camping in the sun
In reply to Post #17
Cool. Wish I was going! Good luck.
Cool. Wish I was going! Good luck.
In reply to Post #17
I am in Central France currently and no spawning where I am but, it won't be long judging by the full fish and warm weather.
I am in Central France currently and no spawning where I am but, it won't be long judging by the full fish and warm weather.
In reply to Post #19
I am in Southern France at the moment and no sign of spawning, come to think of it, no sign of fish period!😀😀
I am in Southern France at the moment and no sign of spawning, come to think of it, no sign of fish period!😀😀
In reply to Post #20
Just heading back from two weeks in the Deep South. Temps have been between 22-29c the entire time we've been here. No spawning fish where we were.
Just heading back from two weeks in the Deep South. Temps have been between 22-29c the entire time we've been here. No spawning fish where we were.
In reply to Post #17
Got back last night from our trip, amazing 4 days away, hugely exceeded our goal of catching one each! Got on the tunnel at 10pm and arrived at the first lake just after 1am. Bit nerve-wracking arriving like that at a lake you don't know and not sure who's fishing etc. Pub chucked a couple of rods then got some sleep for a few hours.
In daylight made a small move and got fishing properly. Ended up with 5 carp between the 2 of us that first night that included my first and second ever 40's with the biggest 47lb and a cracking mid 30 common. Stayed there Saturday night as well and added another 3 carp including a 40 for my brother as well.
Could have easily have stayed the final night as well but decided we'd explore as we'd caught well already. Spent a whole day driving and walking canals without finding anything that felt right and saw no carp at all. Ended up on the River Somme in a lovely quiet spot so at least pleasant to camp! No carp but did catch PB barbel, Ide, Rudd and chub
plus lost what I think was probably a cat fish.
Only downside was the hour delay on our return train when we'd got there early hoping to get on an earlier one.
Biggest fish of the trip:
Got back last night from our trip, amazing 4 days away, hugely exceeded our goal of catching one each! Got on the tunnel at 10pm and arrived at the first lake just after 1am. Bit nerve-wracking arriving like that at a lake you don't know and not sure who's fishing etc. Pub chucked a couple of rods then got some sleep for a few hours.
In daylight made a small move and got fishing properly. Ended up with 5 carp between the 2 of us that first night that included my first and second ever 40's with the biggest 47lb and a cracking mid 30 common. Stayed there Saturday night as well and added another 3 carp including a 40 for my brother as well.
Could have easily have stayed the final night as well but decided we'd explore as we'd caught well already. Spent a whole day driving and walking canals without finding anything that felt right and saw no carp at all. Ended up on the River Somme in a lovely quiet spot so at least pleasant to camp! No carp but did catch PB barbel, Ide, Rudd and chub
plus lost what I think was probably a cat fish.Only downside was the hour delay on our return train when we'd got there early hoping to get on an earlier one.
Biggest fish of the trip:
That's a great result, bet the looking about was a lot of fun too, well done 
In reply to Post #22
Excellent!
Excellent!
In reply to Post #22
Congratulations to you both
Congratulations to you both
Good work
I'm due out Friday for my first of the year . Can't wait !
I'm due out Friday for my first of the year . Can't wait !
In reply to Post #22
Glad it worked out so well for you; I'm guessing the next trip is in the diary already..
Glad it worked out so well for you; I'm guessing the next trip is in the diary already..
What an excellent result
How did you find fishing without a boat?
Did you stay north of Paris with it being a short trip?
Ive never fished abroad before but would like to give a publics a go or even the canals in Beguim or Holland.
I'm not a boat angler and dont own a bait boat so automatically feel im at a disadvantage.
I know people say just find some blue on a map but I'd like to be better planned than that Ÿ¤£Ÿ¤£Ÿ¤£
How did you find fishing without a boat?
Did you stay north of Paris with it being a short trip?
Ive never fished abroad before but would like to give a publics a go or even the canals in Beguim or Holland.
I'm not a boat angler and dont own a bait boat so automatically feel im at a disadvantage.
I know people say just find some blue on a map but I'd like to be better planned than that Ÿ¤£Ÿ¤£Ÿ¤£
In reply to Post #28
We were never more than 2.5 hours from calais given the short trip, didn't want to waste time driving and plenty in that area in any case.
We had a bait boat which was useful with Deeper to check areas quickly but definitely not essential. Obviously you just choose smaller waters or canals so boat not needed.
It does take a lot of research, but most of the regions have some sort of interactive map for venues. We then created a list on google maps with pins. Had a few recommendations from a friend also which always helps. Then you just have to accept you'll spend some time driving around looking, but it is fun, just requires a different mindset.
Hardest bit is not actually knowing if a lake has decent fish in. It may say night carp fishing allowed but you could just be fishing for doubles!
We were never more than 2.5 hours from calais given the short trip, didn't want to waste time driving and plenty in that area in any case.
We had a bait boat which was useful with Deeper to check areas quickly but definitely not essential. Obviously you just choose smaller waters or canals so boat not needed.
It does take a lot of research, but most of the regions have some sort of interactive map for venues. We then created a list on google maps with pins. Had a few recommendations from a friend also which always helps. Then you just have to accept you'll spend some time driving around looking, but it is fun, just requires a different mindset.
Hardest bit is not actually knowing if a lake has decent fish in. It may say night carp fishing allowed but you could just be fishing for doubles!
In reply to Post #29
Yes thats what i was thinking if I was going to do a trip
Ive been thinking about one of the northern rivers such as Moselle or Meuse so would be looking for lakes around those as a back up, or vice versa!
Yes thats what i was thinking if I was going to do a trip
Ive been thinking about one of the northern rivers such as Moselle or Meuse so would be looking for lakes around those as a back up, or vice versa!