Just started on a new intimate water, approx 3 acres it has two large islands covered with broadleaf trees and weeping willows. It's also surrounded by the same, this obviously results in a LOT of dead and decaying leaf litter on the bottom.
I simply cannot find any clear spots at all, the lead comes back nice and smooth like your on clear silt or clay but in reality its just gliding over the top of the leaf litter,the lead goes down with a dull thud and on retrieval has picked up black leaves
I could fish bags but these are pressured fish, any noise they do the off, I think a big old bag crashing in wont do me any favours, I could fish pop ups and hope to attract the odd passing fish.
Ideally what I'd like to do is get some bait down and hold the fish in the area, the spots are to far out to rake, so is it just a case of baiting in amongst the leaves and hope that the fish clear the areas, there are no silver fish just a handful of tench and perch the rest carp
I've never fished a lake with so much leaf litter any help or tips would be much appreciated

In reply to Post #1
Decaying leaf litter can suck a lot of oxygen out of the water, which could mean the fish are not up for a big feed. Baiting could be the kiss of death if it's not getting eaten. Singles or a scattering would be my approach in those circumstances, at least until I had some confidence bait was getting eaten. Chods and light leads always a good spring tactic and would sort out your presentation issues.

In reply to Post #2
Thanks mate, yep doing the single pop up bait approach at the moment over the leaf litter but thinking ahead, to find or create clear spots ?

In reply to Post #1
I really wouldn't worry about clear spots, ruddy modern angling.
I've fished a lot of intimate Cheshire ponds, overhangng with big broad leaf, and as such I've never worried about leaf litter one bit. When dissolving foam became a thing I did start using it to mask the hook but that's about it.

I recently went back to a water I've not seen in 20 years. I was told a particular area was no good because of the weed beds....as it happened just what I wanted to hear. Back when, my friend and I used to cast directly into it as that's where the fish were happiest, including double figure Tench.

Modern angling is very good but you still need to question the 'givens' and better still, others probably won't.

Edit, one good wind will move fresh leaf litter about so a clear spot today might not be tomoz.

Just find out their patrol routes or where they're safest. They'll be used to the bottom being like that.

Popup and boilies in the catapult would be my approach - but to be fair, that's my approach everywhere 😂😂

If you do solid bags try casting at the willow, the bag should drop down into the water just under the branch line with a gentle plop

In reply to Post #5
I like him a lot,what a great darts player he is.

In reply to Post #2
Chods, yes. I'd be looking for activity and casting sparingly with attractive hookbaits attached, in likely areas. A small scattering of bait, but not strictly necessary if others are putting bait in. Hone tactics if you get some success / consistency.

In reply to Post #1
When I quickly read this I thought it was the darts player 😂😂must put my glasses on more often

In reply to Post #1
Don't worry, the fish are used to it, and will root around in it for any potential food.
REMEMBER: the Naturals don't live in, or on, 'clear spots'