Is it just me or have birds diving and swans being pests gotten worse over the last few years, if anyone has seen the cyp video where the swan was treading water to stir up the bait that's out of reach, something I've never seen before but I've just wanted a swan do just that. I'm thinking of moving to making ground bait balls so there's nothing for them to actually get hopefully they will leave me alone !!
In reply to Post #1
I don't necessarily think it's got worse but coots in particular seem to be pretty cute. On a club water I fish you can bait up without a bird in sight. They then turn up and go straight to your spots and go down on the food.
They are either watching from afar or they just know the spots that anglers fish the most. The water is also reasonably clear so I'm sure that in margin or shallower areas they can see the bait as they swim over it.
I remember one particular session where they just ruined me for 2 days. I couldn't wait to pack up. The swans and Canada's aren't as big a problem at all.
I don't necessarily think it's got worse but coots in particular seem to be pretty cute. On a club water I fish you can bait up without a bird in sight. They then turn up and go straight to your spots and go down on the food.
They are either watching from afar or they just know the spots that anglers fish the most. The water is also reasonably clear so I'm sure that in margin or shallower areas they can see the bait as they swim over it.
I remember one particular session where they just ruined me for 2 days. I couldn't wait to pack up. The swans and Canada's aren't as big a problem at all.
In reply to Post #1
I think bird numbers have increased so competition for food has increased.
However, I definitely think birds have evolved to not fear humans as much and see them as a food source.
I think bird numbers have increased so competition for food has increased.
However, I definitely think birds have evolved to not fear humans as much and see them as a food source.
Also most lakes are otter fenced now so they know it's safe and congregate in large numbers for that reason.
In reply to Post #1
The birds seem to know that a bait boat is an easy meal and make a beeline for it at some of the waters I fish! Unfortunately I have to resort to zig-zagging it out to deter them.
The birds seem to know that a bait boat is an easy meal and make a beeline for it at some of the waters I fish! Unfortunately I have to resort to zig-zagging it out to deter them.
you can tell the Catfish in our Syndi are not full awake yet as the birdlife is quite heavy at the moment. Give it a month or so when you can start to count the chicks down day by day and they soon do the off....last summer there was hardly any birdlife at all....
In reply to Post #1
I can't be the only one who read the subject and thought he meant his missus 🤣
I can't be the only one who read the subject and thought he meant his missus 🤣
A couple of years ago i was fishing a desolated stretch of a big canal. Usually birds aren't a problem on that canal. Along came mama duck with 8 orso youngs, and it was almost as if they were getting home schooling. Quak quak and down they went, 2-3 meters deep eating a few kilo's of 20 mm boilies in no time. So i blame education:XD
In reply to Post #7
Well now you mention it 😂
Well now you mention it 😂
A mentioned, otter fenced lakes are perfect for birds as it keeps out most of the predators and this is leading to a rapid increase in numbers on many lakes.
When a pack of 50 tufties gets on your bait there's nothing your gonna do to get rid of them.... nothing bar shooting them.
When a pack of 50 tufties gets on your bait there's nothing your gonna do to get rid of them.... nothing bar shooting them.
In reply to Post #7
Great comment. 🤣🤣🤣
Great comment. 🤣🤣🤣
In reply to Post #1
The public lake I fish had 2 swans on and they used to drift over you bait and upend over it basically knecking the silt as the lake isn't very deep,in the end I had to resort to keeping a spomb loaded up with bait and dispatch it near the swan to spook it off,it does work but they then do it through the night as well,then 1 died and other disappeared but when I went down a few weeks ago and fished in that storm there was 5 back on there but luckily they didn't bother me
The public lake I fish had 2 swans on and they used to drift over you bait and upend over it basically knecking the silt as the lake isn't very deep,in the end I had to resort to keeping a spomb loaded up with bait and dispatch it near the swan to spook it off,it does work but they then do it through the night as well,then 1 died and other disappeared but when I went down a few weeks ago and fished in that storm there was 5 back on there but luckily they didn't bother me
In reply to Post #1
If its Swans take an old loaf and chuck it in the next swim for them. I used to fish one water and they used to come and sit with me, no bother, feed them boilies too, and the mallards. One thing i noticed, if you have a good amino bait, watch how quick it passes through them lol. One bloke i know used to feed them a load of grain on the swims but this is not good and will attract rats.
Use a resetting pop up rig or a long hair and you should not have much bother, they will pick it up now and again but drop it once they feel the lead
If its diving birds, loads of hemp, particles or micro pellet, makes them work for it, they have to surface to swallow it
If its Swans take an old loaf and chuck it in the next swim for them. I used to fish one water and they used to come and sit with me, no bother, feed them boilies too, and the mallards. One thing i noticed, if you have a good amino bait, watch how quick it passes through them lol. One bloke i know used to feed them a load of grain on the swims but this is not good and will attract rats.
Use a resetting pop up rig or a long hair and you should not have much bother, they will pick it up now and again but drop it once they feel the lead
If its diving birds, loads of hemp, particles or micro pellet, makes them work for it, they have to surface to swallow it
In reply to Post #12
Don't think it's got any worse.
Over the years since I started carp fishing in the mid 80s.
I have had swans trying to stir up the bait, tuffties diving on me in 30 ft of water, mallards diving on me to 6ft. Etc etc etc.
They are wild animal and they want food.
You just have to consider the wildlife goings on every year.
I have to admit it can drive you to pull your hair out.
Don't think it's got any worse.
Over the years since I started carp fishing in the mid 80s.
I have had swans trying to stir up the bait, tuffties diving on me in 30 ft of water, mallards diving on me to 6ft. Etc etc etc.
They are wild animal and they want food.
You just have to consider the wildlife goings on every year.
I have to admit it can drive you to pull your hair out.
In reply to Post #1
I've never understoood why people get so het up about it. The birds have more right to be there than we do, it's just part of fishing. Use a sensible rig that will reset itself in the event you get picked up, and get on with your day. I'm pretty sure the carp aren't bothered.
I've never understoood why people get so het up about it. The birds have more right to be there than we do, it's just part of fishing. Use a sensible rig that will reset itself in the event you get picked up, and get on with your day. I'm pretty sure the carp aren't bothered.