Hi all,
I've been a member of Farnham Angling for a few years now, however I've been fortunate enough until now to fish midweek. I've recently changed jobs and now only get weekends / weekday overnighters. I'm wanting to focus on the Yateley lakes but I'll happily move between the lakes to find the quieter one if possible.
Just out of interest, how do you guys get in to a decent mindset when fishing these extremely busy venues, and picking from a very limited number of swims? I just can't seem to get my head around turning up on to the lake and having such limited options as far as swims go etc.
I do appreciate that there are other venues and clubs, I've enjoyed time on Stillwater, but I'm genuinely just interested as to how guys get there head in to that mindset to fish for those carp that attract crowds
I've been a member of Farnham Angling for a few years now, however I've been fortunate enough until now to fish midweek. I've recently changed jobs and now only get weekends / weekday overnighters. I'm wanting to focus on the Yateley lakes but I'll happily move between the lakes to find the quieter one if possible.
Just out of interest, how do you guys get in to a decent mindset when fishing these extremely busy venues, and picking from a very limited number of swims? I just can't seem to get my head around turning up on to the lake and having such limited options as far as swims go etc.
I do appreciate that there are other venues and clubs, I've enjoyed time on Stillwater, but I'm genuinely just interested as to how guys get there head in to that mindset to fish for those carp that attract crowds
In reply to Post #1
May not be as busy now that ticket prices have gone up.
May not be as busy now that ticket prices have gone up.
In reply to Post #2
I can't see £40 putting anyone off, people will moan but £160 for those lakes is pennies in the grand scheme of things.
I can't see £40 putting anyone off, people will moan but £160 for those lakes is pennies in the grand scheme of things.
In reply to Post #1
Sometimes it can work in your favour when there are very few swims to pick from especially late in the day.
Lost count of the amount of times I've seen lads turn up late to only be left with the odd unwanted swims and catch.
All the spodding etc pushes them into those quiet empty swims.
Sometimes it can work in your favour when there are very few swims to pick from especially late in the day.
Lost count of the amount of times I've seen lads turn up late to only be left with the odd unwanted swims and catch.
All the spodding etc pushes them into those quiet empty swims.
If you're only ever able to fish weekends, you're always going to struggle - especially if you can't get down until late on friday evening or Saturday morning. Lakes like that always tend to have swims which constantly produce, because there's bait going in - people fishing the same wraps/features etc. It's always going to be a struggle to get in there.
You could always try and get some spots going, by constantly baiting quieter areas of the lake - but do it discreetly, after a while - you'll create your own little areas and if there's bait going in consistently, fish will feed consistently.
People are like sheep, and often write their chances off if they're not able to get into a popular swim, but with a little bit of effort and some perseverance - there's always a way.
You could always try and get some spots going, by constantly baiting quieter areas of the lake - but do it discreetly, after a while - you'll create your own little areas and if there's bait going in consistently, fish will feed consistently.
People are like sheep, and often write their chances off if they're not able to get into a popular swim, but with a little bit of effort and some perseverance - there's always a way.
In reply to Post #5
I think it's just alien for me, I've been fortunate over the years when I worked in pubs that I could get out midweek. I appreciate it's a case of slotting in like I say, I think it's just the mindset of going where your made to rather than where you want!
I think it's just alien for me, I've been fortunate over the years when I worked in pubs that I could get out midweek. I appreciate it's a case of slotting in like I say, I think it's just the mindset of going where your made to rather than where you want!
In reply to Post #4
Good point to be fair, I have seen that a few times.
Good point to be fair, I have seen that a few times.
I walk the venue and pick what appears to be best of the remaining pegs, any fishing is better than no fishing imo.
I've never known anything different, a midweek session is a rare treat!
Sometimes the best weekend waters are days only, if you're up early and first at the gate, you have first choice!
Sometimes the best weekend waters are days only, if you're up early and first at the gate, you have first choice!
In reply to Post #9
That's a good shout. It's certainly strange, I ended up taking 2-3 months away from the bank tbh as the numbers just messed with me 😂😂
Problem is I actually like the waters available, and there are some big fish to target, it's just getting my head round it 😂
That's a good shout. It's certainly strange, I ended up taking 2-3 months away from the bank tbh as the numbers just messed with me 😂😂
Problem is I actually like the waters available, and there are some big fish to target, it's just getting my head round it 😂
In reply to Post #10
You can only go and try it on your given available days that you can.
Prime times/Moon phases will probably be busier that so called crap times/non favourable weather conditions.
Remember - you cannot catch them sitting at home, your eyes and ears are your biggest assets, even whilst blanking. You are still learning things.
Even if you are in the LAST/only available swim, and your baits are in the water, you always have a chance, as people have said, people can move/spook the fish into your swim
You can only go and try it on your given available days that you can.
Prime times/Moon phases will probably be busier that so called crap times/non favourable weather conditions.
Remember - you cannot catch them sitting at home, your eyes and ears are your biggest assets, even whilst blanking. You are still learning things.
Even if you are in the LAST/only available swim, and your baits are in the water, you always have a chance, as people have said, people can move/spook the fish into your swim
In reply to Post #1
Maggots and margins....
Maggots and margins....
In reply to Post #1
I'm able to fish a club lake and a syndicate venue that are both busy. I've noticed in recent times that Thursday has become the new Friday. Instead of turning up on Friday and leaving on Saturday or Sunday guys are arriving on Thursday then leaving on Saturday. Is it worth leaving it until Saturday lunchtime / afternoon to see what swim you can get in?
I'm able to fish a club lake and a syndicate venue that are both busy. I've noticed in recent times that Thursday has become the new Friday. Instead of turning up on Friday and leaving on Saturday or Sunday guys are arriving on Thursday then leaving on Saturday. Is it worth leaving it until Saturday lunchtime / afternoon to see what swim you can get in?
In reply to Post #1
Depending on length of session if it's really rammed and you're there for the 2 nights I'd be tempted to bait and camp for the first night. Flick the rods out first light and see what happens!
Depending on length of session if it's really rammed and you're there for the 2 nights I'd be tempted to bait and camp for the first night. Flick the rods out first light and see what happens!
In reply to Post #11
On Nazeing Meads Brackens lake, if there were 4 anglers or more on the 2 acre lake fish were often pressured into the corners.
Most anglers preferred to fish Suicide, Reeds, Bridge, Boards, Ants or Steps. Going into Pig Pen where casting towards the undercut could pay off.
On Nazeing Meads Brackens lake, if there were 4 anglers or more on the 2 acre lake fish were often pressured into the corners.
Most anglers preferred to fish Suicide, Reeds, Bridge, Boards, Ants or Steps. Going into Pig Pen where casting towards the undercut could pay off.