After watching fishing on lock down with my son inlaw we watched some guy catch a 3lb perch and his comment was thats only small i went on to explain why it wasnt just a small fish
Then read a comment redmire is just another lake got me thinking im i of a diffrent breed than most carp anglers in i like seeing fish for what they are and can add merit to a 3lb perch or a 5lb chubb or am i just seeing modern angling for what it is a numbers and biggest size is better attitude and everything other than a big carp or catfish is just a nuisance and an inconvenience
Then read a comment redmire is just another lake got me thinking im i of a diffrent breed than most carp anglers in i like seeing fish for what they are and can add merit to a 3lb perch or a 5lb chubb or am i just seeing modern angling for what it is a numbers and biggest size is better attitude and everything other than a big carp or catfish is just a nuisance and an inconvenience
In reply to Post #1
lots of similar comments on this over various threads
I'm with you. I've never caught a 3lb Perch (although I have had a 5lb Chub by accident when river fishing for barbel - no complaints from me there!)
There's a place for the 'must catch bigger' anglers - let's face it, all of the magazines focus on size, even the old stalwarts like Anglers Mail.
I honestly think that as one gets older, we learn to appreciate the wider aspects of just being on the bank. I think we'll all appreciate that more after recent events...
lots of similar comments on this over various threads
I'm with you. I've never caught a 3lb Perch (although I have had a 5lb Chub by accident when river fishing for barbel - no complaints from me there!)
There's a place for the 'must catch bigger' anglers - let's face it, all of the magazines focus on size, even the old stalwarts like Anglers Mail.
I honestly think that as one gets older, we learn to appreciate the wider aspects of just being on the bank. I think we'll all appreciate that more after recent events...
I think its not about age as much with me im 40 but have been this way inclined all my angling life started of pleasure fishing then carp fishing at around 18 started sea fishing shore and boat then 10 years after started carp again last year done my first dabble on the rivers which will become more intense this year
Got caught up wanting to catch a 30lb carp a couple of years ago and to me it was the worst time in my angling life i never set such specific targets and it destroyed me for 12 months until i did it was it worth it no not at all did i enjoy it no did i do it yes but never again
Got caught up wanting to catch a 30lb carp a couple of years ago and to me it was the worst time in my angling life i never set such specific targets and it destroyed me for 12 months until i did it was it worth it no not at all did i enjoy it no did i do it yes but never again
In reply to Post #1
I think we have conditioned anglers to expect everything to be carp size, or are even the only species worth fishing for.
A few years ago my son caught a large perch which I guesstimated at 2lb, looking at the pictures I did him out of a lot of ounces, but sadly I didn't have scales with us. I pointed out to him then, no matter what the weight, it was the fish of a lifetime, gives him something to beat in the future😆😉
The same with him catching 4lb chub, which I did weigh.
I would prefer to catch a 2lb roach, or 12lb tench (and have) than a 20lb carp, but think I am a minority, although carp fishing does appear to be losing its cult status.
I think we have conditioned anglers to expect everything to be carp size, or are even the only species worth fishing for.
A few years ago my son caught a large perch which I guesstimated at 2lb, looking at the pictures I did him out of a lot of ounces, but sadly I didn't have scales with us. I pointed out to him then, no matter what the weight, it was the fish of a lifetime, gives him something to beat in the future😆😉
The same with him catching 4lb chub, which I did weigh.
I would prefer to catch a 2lb roach, or 12lb tench (and have) than a 20lb carp, but think I am a minority, although carp fishing does appear to be losing its cult status.
I do agree i think carp fishing is dying off but only for what i class as anglers people who have experienced other types of fishing be that pleasure fishing for anything that comes along or targeting other specific species trench bream sea or game they see the influx of modern carp fishermen and its not enjoyable as said to much hung up on weights and numbers each to their own and not knocking anyone who likes it but for me carp angling has changed for the worst
My son in law this year is going to get given an angling apprenticeship i am going to teach him the finer things in fishing is targeting anything and everything from a all day maggot bashing roach rudd and perch to 3am starts for misty morning temch to actually learning how to trot a stickfloat on a river for dace somethink i personaly havent learnt yet myself
My son in law this year is going to get given an angling apprenticeship i am going to teach him the finer things in fishing is targeting anything and everything from a all day maggot bashing roach rudd and perch to 3am starts for misty morning temch to actually learning how to trot a stickfloat on a river for dace somethink i personaly havent learnt yet myself
In reply to Post #2
I honestly think that as one gets older, we learn to appreciate the wider aspects of just being on the bank. I think we'll all appreciate that more after recent events...
Loads have being saying the same over the past few months, in fact a lot longer to a degree.
Modern Carp Fishing has become viewed as a bit of a "Joke" to many I'm afraid, all the "Gimmicks" have not helped one bit - it does give an impression of a sever lack of skill- Drones, Bait boats, GPS, Sonar, Under water Camera's, even bloody Electric Hook Sharpeners, it all adds up and gives a horrible impression to those looking in from the out-side.
Personally I don't care what people do/use, but since I went right back to bare basics I truly enjoy my fishing a hell of a lot more, no matter what I'm fishing for.
I honestly think that as one gets older, we learn to appreciate the wider aspects of just being on the bank. I think we'll all appreciate that more after recent events...
Loads have being saying the same over the past few months, in fact a lot longer to a degree.
Modern Carp Fishing has become viewed as a bit of a "Joke" to many I'm afraid, all the "Gimmicks" have not helped one bit - it does give an impression of a sever lack of skill- Drones, Bait boats, GPS, Sonar, Under water Camera's, even bloody Electric Hook Sharpeners, it all adds up and gives a horrible impression to those looking in from the out-side.
Personally I don't care what people do/use, but since I went right back to bare basics I truly enjoy my fishing a hell of a lot more, no matter what I'm fishing for.
In reply to Post #6
i never really got away from the basics to be honest - can't afford all the fancy gizmos...
i never really got away from the basics to be honest - can't afford all the fancy gizmos...
In reply to Post #1
Don't get sucked in , do your own thing
Don't get sucked in , do your own thing
In reply to Post #8
Exactly that, to many fishing for numbers..
Exactly that, to many fishing for numbers..
In reply to Post #9
Carp fishing has changed dramatically and yes it has become a numbers game to many.... and we have created fisheries to pander to that desire. Linear and similarly heavily stocked waters are a good example. In fact most waters are over stocked when compared to how it was in the 70s when I got the bug. People have to catch to justify the large amounts that they have given to the Tackle industry.
It doesn't make it wrong.. it just makes it different. I dont have to like these over commercial times because every thing in this modern world changes.
It is a shame that the youngsters of today have not fished for other species .. but neither have I for over 35yrs.
What I miss most is the seclusion.
Carp fishing has changed dramatically and yes it has become a numbers game to many.... and we have created fisheries to pander to that desire. Linear and similarly heavily stocked waters are a good example. In fact most waters are over stocked when compared to how it was in the 70s when I got the bug. People have to catch to justify the large amounts that they have given to the Tackle industry.
It doesn't make it wrong.. it just makes it different. I dont have to like these over commercial times because every thing in this modern world changes.
It is a shame that the youngsters of today have not fished for other species .. but neither have I for over 35yrs.
What I miss most is the seclusion.
In reply to Post #10
I think it's down to what your bought up with. Most of us olders where bought up catching small roaches on a river or canal. We appreciate things more. 8lb tench 10lb bream are not a nuisance.
I started carping last year after 45yrs match fishing. Talking to a guy on my winter water he said he would not want a cat out. I said I'd rather a big cat than nothing.
I hit my first it was 48.12 my happiest day since the foxes won the prem.
I think it's down to what your bought up with. Most of us olders where bought up catching small roaches on a river or canal. We appreciate things more. 8lb tench 10lb bream are not a nuisance.
I started carping last year after 45yrs match fishing. Talking to a guy on my winter water he said he would not want a cat out. I said I'd rather a big cat than nothing.
I hit my first it was 48.12 my happiest day since the foxes won the prem.
I just think you need to take from it what you need for your own enjoyment at that particular time. I have times where I go and fish day tickets for smaller fish and a few runs, and to tinker with new hookbaits and rigs. I enjoy it for a while but the lack of challenge and the other anglers I meet do my head in eventually.
I'm fortunate to have seven private lakes/clubs/syndicates at my disposal, and at various times each one appeals to me as each one is different. Sometimes I want the chance of run, or a very sociable lake, other times I can handle the blanks better and I'm in a more solitary frame of mind. I've long since given up worrying what other people think if I'm not catching much, I don't go fishing mainly just to catch fish. It's to appreciate the venues, the wildlife and the company of like minded people.
I don't blame people who fish for numbers, or fish for weights or fish for an individual fish for years. You get out what you put in.
I'm fortunate to have seven private lakes/clubs/syndicates at my disposal, and at various times each one appeals to me as each one is different. Sometimes I want the chance of run, or a very sociable lake, other times I can handle the blanks better and I'm in a more solitary frame of mind. I've long since given up worrying what other people think if I'm not catching much, I don't go fishing mainly just to catch fish. It's to appreciate the venues, the wildlife and the company of like minded people.
I don't blame people who fish for numbers, or fish for weights or fish for an individual fish for years. You get out what you put in.
See for me it's more about the look of the fish than the size. I would rather catch a stunning scaley 20 with character than a football looking 40. I mean that's not to say I wouldn't mind catching a bigger fish (my on is 28lb) but I would want it to be a fish of a lifetime.
Been carp fishing since 1976 but the last 10 years I have treated it as a spring and summer sport. The rest of the year is spent fishing for barbel, roach and chub with a feeble attempt at salmon fishing thrown in. It has made me enjoy and look forward to fishing the changing seasons and locations each year.