Hi All,

I used to do a lot of stalking and floater fishing back in the day on a small lake near me which was all close in work normally with bread or dog biscuits on the hair.

I'm now fishing some bigger waters with a lot of bird life and find I sometimes have to fish further out and therefore can't use bread in most situation (also the rudd and roach can be a nighmare).

Any recommendations for hookbaits which are tough enough be withstand the fish? I did try a trimmed down pop up but found the carp would go up to take and then spook away so I do wonder if it was sitting a bit too high in the water compared to the free offerings.

Any advice appreciated also with the birdlife who sometimes wipe out the whole swim! (the geese can be awful at times!)

In reply to Post #1
the enterprise fake mixers would do the job. Sit balanced properly with the hook out the water so no reason for fish to spook from it.

Birds are a nightmare, either feed them off somewhere closer in or I've heard making the mixers super hot with chilli can put them off,

In reply to Post #1
Another tip to avoid the birds, put your freebie mixers/pellets out with a spomb instead of a catapult.