I'm fishing a clay pit with an average depth of 6m or 20ft in old money. 10 acres tops (4 ha+), clear, patches of weed and a clear areas plus a cavities / holes that drop maybe a 1m. The fish are lovely but angsty (black commons with a couple of old mirrors) and tend to hang mid-water in the middle of the lake.
I've picked a few off margin fishing (they tend to do circuits at night and could be anywhere). I know zigs are an obvious choice but I'd like to try and pull the fish down to the bait too. Any ideas, words of wisdom? Up and down mix? Adding bicarb to mix to get it fizzing? I've been spombing liquids (hydroslates, crumb etc.) which hangs nicely and seems to have worked but am I missing a trick?
I've picked a few off margin fishing (they tend to do circuits at night and could be anywhere). I know zigs are an obvious choice but I'd like to try and pull the fish down to the bait too. Any ideas, words of wisdom? Up and down mix? Adding bicarb to mix to get it fizzing? I've been spombing liquids (hydroslates, crumb etc.) which hangs nicely and seems to have worked but am I missing a trick?
In reply to Post #1
Worth researching Nick Helleur and sticks and mixes. I believe he developed his mixes to achieve just this. They work.
Worth researching Nick Helleur and sticks and mixes. I believe he developed his mixes to achieve just this. They work.
In reply to Post #1
Use normal tactics and Don't worry too much about going deep with your rods to 20 plus feet, the carp are used to it.
There know where the food will be...on the bottom and marginal features, unless they are just swimming around mid water eating daphnia or fry, perhaps?
Use normal tactics and Don't worry too much about going deep with your rods to 20 plus feet, the carp are used to it.
There know where the food will be...on the bottom and marginal features, unless they are just swimming around mid water eating daphnia or fry, perhaps?
In reply to Post #1
As previously said, carp are hunter gatherers and they will search for it. Maybe drop the baits and bits that hang in suspension and just bait with what stays on the deck if that's what you're after.
As previously said, carp are hunter gatherers and they will search for it. Maybe drop the baits and bits that hang in suspension and just bait with what stays on the deck if that's what you're after.
In reply to Post #1
Thanks for the tips, will definitely check Nick Helleur's mixes out. The fish are in the middle / upper third layers, zigs (not my fave method) are tricky as there's a dense tree line and sharp drop off in most pegs so wading out (to avoid the branches with a 10ft mono leader) can end badly. I know they'll feed at this depth but it seems like a waiting game at the moment. More than 3 anglers and they tend to shut up shop, or you'll pick one up after dark when they'll mooch near the margins. I watch a lot of anglers blank with standard boilie bait and wait..so liquids and clouds of attraction worked for a while but I think spombing over these spooky fish is a no no. I'm also wondering if I've blown my own tactic.
Thanks for the tips, will definitely check Nick Helleur's mixes out. The fish are in the middle / upper third layers, zigs (not my fave method) are tricky as there's a dense tree line and sharp drop off in most pegs so wading out (to avoid the branches with a 10ft mono leader) can end badly. I know they'll feed at this depth but it seems like a waiting game at the moment. More than 3 anglers and they tend to shut up shop, or you'll pick one up after dark when they'll mooch near the margins. I watch a lot of anglers blank with standard boilie bait and wait..so liquids and clouds of attraction worked for a while but I think spombing over these spooky fish is a no no. I'm also wondering if I've blown my own tactic.
In reply to Post #1
How about casters? .I'd be inclined to get a bait on the bottom first,with some of it rising through the layers pulling the fish down. Hence a mix of casters,fresh which will hug bottom,and not so fresh casters which will rise to the surface.Perfect too for an in-line mesh bag/stick mix.
How about casters? .I'd be inclined to get a bait on the bottom first,with some of it rising through the layers pulling the fish down. Hence a mix of casters,fresh which will hug bottom,and not so fresh casters which will rise to the surface.Perfect too for an in-line mesh bag/stick mix.
In reply to Post #5
Could you not use an Adjustable Zig kit? I know you said they aren't your favourite method but it would certainly get around your issue of not being able to cast them out
Could you not use an Adjustable Zig kit? I know you said they aren't your favourite method but it would certainly get around your issue of not being able to cast them out
In reply to Post #6
Yes - that's a great thought, was considering a mag aligner with a few scalded floating maggots in the mix for the same reason
Yes - that's a great thought, was considering a mag aligner with a few scalded floating maggots in the mix for the same reason
In reply to Post #7
Fair point, I had considered this but I'd prefer to use this as a last resort if the casters / maggots etc. fails. Do you favour Korda / Fox or another set-up?
Fair point, I had considered this but I'd prefer to use this as a last resort if the casters / maggots etc. fails. Do you favour Korda / Fox or another set-up?
In reply to Post #9
I have both of these kits and for me the fox is better.
I have both of these kits and for me the fox is better.
In reply to Post #9
I've got a Korda one but that was only because I couldn't find Fox ones for love nor money. Both work on pretty much the same principle though. I was not confident at using Zigs at all but this totally changed my opinion and I felt alot more confident using them
I've got a Korda one but that was only because I couldn't find Fox ones for love nor money. Both work on pretty much the same principle though. I was not confident at using Zigs at all but this totally changed my opinion and I felt alot more confident using them
In reply to Post #11
Spombing liquids / crumb, over wafters and scattered baits worked well in Spring / early Summer (shallow bays...3m margins) but now at 12C-14C & after a lot of rain they're pretty much 'hanging' midwater or top third in the middle of the lake. I'm willing to bet the local Dutch anglers haven't tried casters / maggots, if not, then I'll go adjustable zigs. The few bream in there are 10lb plus so maggot/caster could work well.
Spombing liquids / crumb, over wafters and scattered baits worked well in Spring / early Summer (shallow bays...3m margins) but now at 12C-14C & after a lot of rain they're pretty much 'hanging' midwater or top third in the middle of the lake. I'm willing to bet the local Dutch anglers haven't tried casters / maggots, if not, then I'll go adjustable zigs. The few bream in there are 10lb plus so maggot/caster could work well.