Currently fishing a estate type lake which is very weedy and surrounded by trees so the bottom is very very silty and choddy. Most of the silt is anything up to a foot deep and is the real thick smelly stuff.
I'm sure a remember reading something years ago, possibly by Richie Mcdonald at Richmond, where he used to put clay in the lake and make clay spots..... Has anyone done anything similar?
I'm sure a remember reading something years ago, possibly by Richie Mcdonald at Richmond, where he used to put clay in the lake and make clay spots..... Has anyone done anything similar?
In reply to Post #1
If the silt is only "up to a foot deep" I'd just get the fish to clean an area
down to the firm substrate, if that's what you prefer fishing on.
If the silt is only "up to a foot deep" I'd just get the fish to clean an area
down to the firm substrate, if that's what you prefer fishing on.
In reply to Post #1
I have put some paving slabs in the margins of an estate lake when I was a kid.
The lake got drained so I dug out the silt in a margin spot and dropped some slabs down they proved very productive over the next few seasons I fished there
I have put some paving slabs in the margins of an estate lake when I was a kid.
The lake got drained so I dug out the silt in a margin spot and dropped some slabs down they proved very productive over the next few seasons I fished there
I dont see it being possible. Clay lined lakes have clay spots all over, yet only a very few very specific sections of clay seem to get used.
In reply to Post #4
Possibly because they have so many clay spots? Whereas if there was only one or 2 they would be more frequently used?
Possibly because they have so many clay spots? Whereas if there was only one or 2 they would be more frequently used?
In reply to Post #1
was it Paul Selman who put plastic down and gravel on top , sorry cant help you
was it Paul Selman who put plastic down and gravel on top , sorry cant help you
In reply to Post #3
Been over today and cleared a spot with the weed rake. I was thinking of spreading pea shingle on the spot so I know 100% when I cast out but not sure if they would spook off the spot as they are not used to gravel spots.
Been over today and cleared a spot with the weed rake. I was thinking of spreading pea shingle on the spot so I know 100% when I cast out but not sure if they would spook off the spot as they are not used to gravel spots.
In reply to Post #7
Doubt thay would spook of it, well not for a while, maybe when you've had it off a bit.
Doubt thay would spook of it, well not for a while, maybe when you've had it off a bit.
In reply to Post #1
Wouldn't you be just as well to trickle bait in several spots that you would like to fish and see which ones the fish prefer to feed on.
Fish only clear a spot by regularly feeding on it because there is regularly food there.
Wouldn't you be just as well to trickle bait in several spots that you would like to fish and see which ones the fish prefer to feed on.
Fish only clear a spot by regularly feeding on it because there is regularly food there.
In reply to Post #2
Apart from a few tench there is no nuisance fish in there and its not really the best time to try to get them to clear spots naturally.....
Apart from a few tench there is no nuisance fish in there and its not really the best time to try to get them to clear spots naturally.....
If it's a really old estate lake you would be surprised how far down that silt actually goes. We built a swim on a lake we used to have rights on and sunk scaffolding poles into the silt. The lake was about 5 foot deep with water, then silt. It swallowed 2 21ft poles clamped end on end pretty easily before hitting anything solid.
Would have needed tons of clay or gravel to make any worthwhile features. I thought about a tarp weighed down on each corner or sheet of ply but always worried about catching the hook.
Just ended up fishing it as it was, silty.
Would have needed tons of clay or gravel to make any worthwhile features. I thought about a tarp weighed down on each corner or sheet of ply but always worried about catching the hook.
Just ended up fishing it as it was, silty.
In reply to Post #1
No,
IMHO the easiest option is go to the fish, rather than try to make them come to you/ the artifical spot.
I'm sure the fish are used to it, all that silt, and will feed in it somewhere, when the natural larders are prime for it, bloodworm, etc.
Just keep you eyes open, and be mobile and cast out onto any visible bubbling or rolling fish, feel the lead down, that will give you an idea.
Good luck.
No,
IMHO the easiest option is go to the fish, rather than try to make them come to you/ the artifical spot.
I'm sure the fish are used to it, all that silt, and will feed in it somewhere, when the natural larders are prime for it, bloodworm, etc.
Just keep you eyes open, and be mobile and cast out onto any visible bubbling or rolling fish, feel the lead down, that will give you an idea.
Good luck.
In reply to Post #7
That's what I do if the lake is silty / weedy, fish are quick to get into the area when done well.
Wouldn't bother with putting gravel in.
A bit of pellet, seed and suchlike should hopefully get fish rooting around.
That's what I do if the lake is silty / weedy, fish are quick to get into the area when done well.
Wouldn't bother with putting gravel in.
A bit of pellet, seed and suchlike should hopefully get fish rooting around.