Evening all
I've been offered a chance to fish a lake that hasn't seen a line in many years - and never heavily fished even then. No idea what's in there but the owner says she's seen some 'big fish' swimming around. ...
I've not had a chance to look at it yet but am hoping to utilise the school holidays to give it a go.
What would be your approach?
My initial thoughts are a feeder and float recce with a pint of maggot and a bit of groundbait as pretty much anything will take that. As said, it's a total unknown quantity.
Any suggestions?
I've been offered a chance to fish a lake that hasn't seen a line in many years - and never heavily fished even then. No idea what's in there but the owner says she's seen some 'big fish' swimming around. ...
I've not had a chance to look at it yet but am hoping to utilise the school holidays to give it a go.
What would be your approach?
My initial thoughts are a feeder and float recce with a pint of maggot and a bit of groundbait as pretty much anything will take that. As said, it's a total unknown quantity.
Any suggestions?
In reply to Post #1
Depends what you are after catching Mal?
All round fishing I would use a quality groundbait laced with chopped up corn, choppped worms, micro pellet etc. Your choice really. Over this I would fish maggot and corn on a waggler, used to love a bit of float fishing myself
Put around 6 - 8 large orange sized balls in to start with whilst it's still warm and catty maggots over the top, alternate hookbaits on the hook and put the odd ball in if bites dry up completely, albeit, it could be something bigger in the swim, it's reading what's happening
If there are carp in there I would fish for them as you would for carp, they will soon know what bait is if you put plenty in for them.
Used to fish similar in the early 80s, 1 or 2 rods out for carp and 1 for owt that swims
Sounds like paradise, keep it to yourself
Depends what you are after catching Mal?
All round fishing I would use a quality groundbait laced with chopped up corn, choppped worms, micro pellet etc. Your choice really. Over this I would fish maggot and corn on a waggler, used to love a bit of float fishing myself
Put around 6 - 8 large orange sized balls in to start with whilst it's still warm and catty maggots over the top, alternate hookbaits on the hook and put the odd ball in if bites dry up completely, albeit, it could be something bigger in the swim, it's reading what's happening
If there are carp in there I would fish for them as you would for carp, they will soon know what bait is if you put plenty in for them.
Used to fish similar in the early 80s, 1 or 2 rods out for carp and 1 for owt that swims
Sounds like paradise, keep it to yourself
In reply to Post #1
With all this hot and sunny weather we are having the carp shouldn't be too hard to find. Bit of floating crust or something lobbed at them maybe? Also keeps you on the move so you can explore every inch of the lake.
With all this hot and sunny weather we are having the carp shouldn't be too hard to find. Bit of floating crust or something lobbed at them maybe? Also keeps you on the move so you can explore every inch of the lake.
In reply to Post #1
I'd spend a lot of time observing the water first if I was you Mal, as there's plenty of waters around here now that basically have nothing in them anymore thanks to the dammed Otters.
I'd spend a lot of time observing the water first if I was you Mal, as there's plenty of waters around here now that basically have nothing in them anymore thanks to the dammed Otters.
Mal, I would do exactly what Keith says........spend a week or so simply walking and watching before then deciding on bait approach and location.......
I'd not realised the extent of the otters round our way Kieth. Was on a day ticket nearby that I like to keep quiet about (it expect you'd know it) and it was all newly fenced during lockdown with signs up etc.
Scozza - I was on similar lines.
Definitely a lot of watching the water and wandering with some bread or floaters.
Might be brilliant or might be empty but it's very exciting knowing that it's unfished
3 turbo jürgen rigs on a clear spot at 175 yards and an 1/8 of nosebag.. get in
In reply to Post #1
yes observation,
yes observation,
In reply to Post #7
Dunno mate, it sounds very exclusive, I reckon you'd need at least a 1/4.
Joking aside, I'd approach it the same as any other water Mal
Dunno mate, it sounds very exclusive, I reckon you'd need at least a 1/4.
Joking aside, I'd approach it the same as any other water Mal
In reply to Post #6
Mal, just go and enjoy yourself pal, there ain't no rules
As usual, its so special and you need to be doing this that and the other, sounds like you have nailed it, fish for yourself and nobody else pal
Seriously, I am interested to know how you go on, it's a great pastime
Fishing is the greatest pastime in the world for me, this country, nice and green, where else would you rather be. It's immense
Mal, just go and enjoy yourself pal, there ain't no rules
As usual, its so special and you need to be doing this that and the other, sounds like you have nailed it, fish for yourself and nobody else pal
Seriously, I am interested to know how you go on, it's a great pastime
Fishing is the greatest pastime in the world for me, this country, nice and green, where else would you rather be. It's immense
In reply to Post #10
Very much looking forward to it.
I'll let you know if it's empty....
Very much looking forward to it.
I'll let you know if it's empty....
In reply to Post #10
I'm with you Scozza,fishing is brilliant,as each trip passes I savour and look forward to the next..
Today I was quiver tipping with an old Mitchell 300,I watched the moorhens and its chick's,the lone mallard and little ducklings,seen the kingfisher multiple times,..in my view I was angling,not catching and all that nature has to offer..
I found an old quarry a few weeks ago,it holds carp and perch,so although I initially thought,nah,it's barren eventually I seen a few small carp,so I'll be trying this place,turns out my wife went to school with the farmers wife,. Sorted..
Iits all about the journey,not the finish..!
I'm with you Scozza,fishing is brilliant,as each trip passes I savour and look forward to the next..
Today I was quiver tipping with an old Mitchell 300,I watched the moorhens and its chick's,the lone mallard and little ducklings,seen the kingfisher multiple times,..in my view I was angling,not catching and all that nature has to offer..
I found an old quarry a few weeks ago,it holds carp and perch,so although I initially thought,nah,it's barren eventually I seen a few small carp,so I'll be trying this place,turns out my wife went to school with the farmers wife,. Sorted..
Iits all about the journey,not the finish..!
In reply to Post #6
I'm sick of seeing all the carnage they are causing Mal,
I go for a trip on the canal in my Kayak, what do I see on the opposite bank to the tow path side - Pike, Bream, Duck and Swan carcases rotting away throats ripped out and left.
I go a local village Chippy for dinner; do the short walk to the picturesque lake behind the Chippy, sit on a bench the Seagulls, Ducks, Coots and Moorhens flock over as they do, instantly notice six of the ducks have legs missing, bite off just below the joint, it's sickening!
In a nice kind of way I hope there's nothing in it, as I would hate you to find it's a little gem with forgotten specimens in and you really appreciate what you have, just to come around late November time to go and find the carcases in the margins, under the bushes killed for no reason.
It happened to a mate of mine; the Club would not pull their fingers out and install a fence, as a consequence everything got massacred, 12 x 20lb+ original Leneys had been butchered for fun just in one night! It got drained down and netted a few weeks later by the EA, a few small Roach and Perch were left, the Club folded a few months later
I'm sick of seeing all the carnage they are causing Mal,
I go for a trip on the canal in my Kayak, what do I see on the opposite bank to the tow path side - Pike, Bream, Duck and Swan carcases rotting away throats ripped out and left.
I go a local village Chippy for dinner; do the short walk to the picturesque lake behind the Chippy, sit on a bench the Seagulls, Ducks, Coots and Moorhens flock over as they do, instantly notice six of the ducks have legs missing, bite off just below the joint, it's sickening!
In a nice kind of way I hope there's nothing in it, as I would hate you to find it's a little gem with forgotten specimens in and you really appreciate what you have, just to come around late November time to go and find the carcases in the margins, under the bushes killed for no reason.
It happened to a mate of mine; the Club would not pull their fingers out and install a fence, as a consequence everything got massacred, 12 x 20lb+ original Leneys had been butchered for fun just in one night! It got drained down and netted a few weeks later by the EA, a few small Roach and Perch were left, the Club folded a few months later
In reply to Post #13
That's shocking Kieth..
We're double meshing in readiness for the colder months,I've spent over 30 yrs developing this particular place,been through all the emotions..,
No fence,no fish....no future..,its only going to cost around 400 to totally do the whole perimeter, as the original posts are sound,plus the new solar upgrades,all we can do after that is pray...!!..
All these figures banded about ,50k etc to fence a small pool,people,club members can do it themselves,if I can do it anyone could...wether some have the will,or passion is another matter..
That's shocking Kieth..
We're double meshing in readiness for the colder months,I've spent over 30 yrs developing this particular place,been through all the emotions..,
No fence,no fish....no future..,its only going to cost around 400 to totally do the whole perimeter, as the original posts are sound,plus the new solar upgrades,all we can do after that is pray...!!..
All these figures banded about ,50k etc to fence a small pool,people,club members can do it themselves,if I can do it anyone could...wether some have the will,or passion is another matter..
In reply to Post #14
Did just the same last week Adam – fitted a new skirt to the two long banking fence sections, used 3ft Rabbit Mesh, £60 for a 50m Roll, took 8 Rolls.
It's always were it touches the ground that Rots after around 7 years, the 4ft above ground and the 1ft horizontal outrigger section are fine.
Like you say it's easy – prep it via strimming and then weed killing it, fit the mesh 1ft up with Cable Ties, gently shape it the lay of the land, and peg it down with the 150mm U shaped Rabbit Mesh Pegs, job done in just a few early morning sessions.
Did just the same last week Adam – fitted a new skirt to the two long banking fence sections, used 3ft Rabbit Mesh, £60 for a 50m Roll, took 8 Rolls.
It's always were it touches the ground that Rots after around 7 years, the 4ft above ground and the 1ft horizontal outrigger section are fine.
Like you say it's easy – prep it via strimming and then weed killing it, fit the mesh 1ft up with Cable Ties, gently shape it the lay of the land, and peg it down with the 150mm U shaped Rabbit Mesh Pegs, job done in just a few early morning sessions.