I'm just after a bit of advice really -
I've been a member on my current syndicate for about 5 years now, it's about 8 acres with 30 members. I only fish mid-week due to work and family and more often than not, I'm there on my own.
First and second year was great averaged a fish every 24hrs which is quite good and it's not an easy lake, some times I blanked sometimes I'd have 3 in a day. Over the past 5 years, my catch rate has gone downhill I've now had 1 fish out of 6 days Worth of fishing. A friend who I sometime go with has had 1 fish in about 14 days worth of fishing.
I'm not a bad fisherman, I'm starting to change baits, rigs now, I know I shouldn't, but it's a real head ****
I know it's a bit of a lottery, and fisheries change, but Any advice or ideas would be appreciated
I've been a member on my current syndicate for about 5 years now, it's about 8 acres with 30 members. I only fish mid-week due to work and family and more often than not, I'm there on my own.
First and second year was great averaged a fish every 24hrs which is quite good and it's not an easy lake, some times I blanked sometimes I'd have 3 in a day. Over the past 5 years, my catch rate has gone downhill I've now had 1 fish out of 6 days Worth of fishing. A friend who I sometime go with has had 1 fish in about 14 days worth of fishing.
I'm not a bad fisherman, I'm starting to change baits, rigs now, I know I shouldn't, but it's a real head ****
I know it's a bit of a lottery, and fisheries change, but Any advice or ideas would be appreciated
In reply to Post #1
Still using the same bait?
Same tactics?
Have you caught most of the fish already?
How big were the fish, have they come on a lot, more pressure, experienced etc?
Anybody else doing well and catching regular is the real question to answer for me
Still using the same bait?
Same tactics?
Have you caught most of the fish already?
How big were the fish, have they come on a lot, more pressure, experienced etc?
Anybody else doing well and catching regular is the real question to answer for me
Fish could be more wary as older?
Bait could be known by the fish as dangerous after so long being regularly introduced?
Competition for food has changed for some reason?
Natural food is more prevalent in the lake?
Has the lake lost fish?
Oxygen levels of the lake changed?
Depth changed due to silt?
Bait could be known by the fish as dangerous after so long being regularly introduced?
Competition for food has changed for some reason?
Natural food is more prevalent in the lake?
Has the lake lost fish?
Oxygen levels of the lake changed?
Depth changed due to silt?
Is the lake fenced?
Lake is otter fenced, tried lots of different methods, rigs and bait.
The lake was netted about 3 years ago, and they took 3 ton of silvers out so I would think there isn't as much competition for food now.
Good head of 20s, 5/6 30s and a forty
The lake was netted about 3 years ago, and they took 3 ton of silvers out so I would think there isn't as much competition for food now.
Good head of 20s, 5/6 30s and a forty
5 years is a long time mate especially if you have been catching consistently. Sounds like you need to make some changes to keep the carp guessing. I don't know how you fish but simple things like longer or shorter rigs, heavy or lighter leads, a different lead arrangement, throwing stick instead of spod. Obviously don't change too much in one go or you won't know your head from your arse. But have a play about with a few different tweaks on your rods. Have a think how most people fish it and do something different and I am sure it will catch them off guard.
In reply to Post #6
So as I understand it, out of the five years the first two were fine.
It was then netted and the catch rate dropped?
Sounds like it may be connected
Would too much bait be going in now the silvers have been removed perhaps?
Natural food sources probably have increased due to the extra food available or just lack of predation by silvers.
So as I understand it, out of the five years the first two were fine.
It was then netted and the catch rate dropped?
Sounds like it may be connected
Would too much bait be going in now the silvers have been removed perhaps?
Natural food sources probably have increased due to the extra food available or just lack of predation by silvers.
In reply to Post #8
This is a likely scenario. Similar thing happened on one of my. Club lakes. Pressured wary old fish . netting to remove silvers. Don't overfeed or it's the kiss of death.
This is a likely scenario. Similar thing happened on one of my. Club lakes. Pressured wary old fish . netting to remove silvers. Don't overfeed or it's the kiss of death.
In reply to Post #1
There's only 3 reasons over that amount of sessions your not catching on a lake with the angler pressure you describe. Your either not on them, they're not hungry or they're no longer present.
There's only 3 reasons over that amount of sessions your not catching on a lake with the angler pressure you describe. Your either not on them, they're not hungry or they're no longer present.
In reply to Post #7
I've made several changes over the past few years but nothing seems to work, I've just got back from a 36hr session (another blank) I took 10 pints of maggots with me (killed half on them) Had 3 Rudd and a bream lol!
I did fish this place years ago for several years, so know the place pretty well. I was talking to another member last week he did 50 nights last year for 9 fish, and 3 of those were in one session, I don't think it's just me
I fish DNA baits, so the baits are good. The lake is a very silty lake, no weed at all apart from a the reeds, lilys around the edges And quite few overhanging trees.
Even my “banker spots” in the lake, where I used to at least have a run from are not giving me anything
I've made several changes over the past few years but nothing seems to work, I've just got back from a 36hr session (another blank) I took 10 pints of maggots with me (killed half on them) Had 3 Rudd and a bream lol!
I did fish this place years ago for several years, so know the place pretty well. I was talking to another member last week he did 50 nights last year for 9 fish, and 3 of those were in one session, I don't think it's just me
I fish DNA baits, so the baits are good. The lake is a very silty lake, no weed at all apart from a the reeds, lilys around the edges And quite few overhanging trees.
Even my “banker spots” in the lake, where I used to at least have a run from are not giving me anything
In reply to Post #8
I've never been a “oof 10Kg” in before I start fishing but I feel the netting maybe the reason
I've never been a “oof 10Kg” in before I start fishing but I feel the netting maybe the reason
In reply to Post #11
Can the fish get out during floods?
Bit vague, possibly tell us more about the stock and water, how deep is this silt?
Can the fish get out during floods?
Bit vague, possibly tell us more about the stock and water, how deep is this silt?
In reply to Post #13
No, fish can not get out, it doesn't flood as there is an overflow. There is approx 150 fish in the lake, anywhere between 2-7ft, most is between 4-5ft. Mostly silt bottom with a few gravel patches & bars. It also has a sunken island which used to be a great spot years ago, but I've never had a fish of it in the last 5 years. The silt varies between 1”-6”. There are a couple of “glassy” areas of silt also. Water is quite couldy so unable to see the bottom when deeper than about 1 ft
No, fish can not get out, it doesn't flood as there is an overflow. There is approx 150 fish in the lake, anywhere between 2-7ft, most is between 4-5ft. Mostly silt bottom with a few gravel patches & bars. It also has a sunken island which used to be a great spot years ago, but I've never had a fish of it in the last 5 years. The silt varies between 1”-6”. There are a couple of “glassy” areas of silt also. Water is quite couldy so unable to see the bottom when deeper than about 1 ft
In reply to Post #14
Interesting mate, I want to fish it now, love a challenge
The water is coloured, is this down to the fish feeding and movement etc. Is this water always coloured or usually clear?
If they are in there like you say, if, sounds to me like they have been hammered, and possibly on the boilie, time for something different or something special for me or they are feeding and preoccupied with something else, hence the colour, which since you have been using maggot, more natural, I would probably rule this out?
Interesting mate, I want to fish it now, love a challenge
The water is coloured, is this down to the fish feeding and movement etc. Is this water always coloured or usually clear?
If they are in there like you say, if, sounds to me like they have been hammered, and possibly on the boilie, time for something different or something special for me or they are feeding and preoccupied with something else, hence the colour, which since you have been using maggot, more natural, I would probably rule this out?
In reply to Post #15
I'm really not sure why it's this colour, it does clear slightly in the winter.
It's a lovely lake and I enjoy going, but the catch rate decline is a head scratcher.
I've tried placing baits in, large PVA bags, small PVA Bags, single hook baits (this is what I've had most of my fish on). Tried stringers, particles, maggots, long and short stiff rigs, braided rigs, chod rigs, wafters, pop ups, running rigs, glugged baits, washed out baits....it's doing my head in lol. I think I need to go back to what worked and stick to it and give it a go. I'm going for 4 nights in a few weeks, I surely can't blank again lol
I'm really not sure why it's this colour, it does clear slightly in the winter.
It's a lovely lake and I enjoy going, but the catch rate decline is a head scratcher.
I've tried placing baits in, large PVA bags, small PVA Bags, single hook baits (this is what I've had most of my fish on). Tried stringers, particles, maggots, long and short stiff rigs, braided rigs, chod rigs, wafters, pop ups, running rigs, glugged baits, washed out baits....it's doing my head in lol. I think I need to go back to what worked and stick to it and give it a go. I'm going for 4 nights in a few weeks, I surely can't blank again lol