In reply to Post #10
If I’d lived near the place and could have baited up a few marginal spots “Little and often” it would have been much easier, but then you had the curse of “Elephants” on the bank, any noise, splashing of leads – or heaven forbid a Spod, or even someone standing in plain view – and that was it ruined for a good day or so, they was oh so spooky (And they wondered why they blanked for months on end) I would not fish it at weekends.

It got much harder as the weed started to die back and more open water was at their disposal.

In reply to Post #1
Had exactly the same problem all June, July, August on a water – tried every bait you can dream of to try and mimic what they were browsing on, but then I noticed is was very “Sporadic” browse on a small spot for 3-4 seconds then clear gills and then move, repeat............. in a totally random spot, I watched them from up Tree’s for months doing it.
They only had very limited patrol routes clear of heavy weed, but the bottom everywhere was covered with thick silk weed to varying depths, they could sense food items but struggled to find any.
I raked both weed and silt samples and riddled the lot to see what food items were actually present, next to nothing present, just odd small Snail and Bloodworm (I can do the same on another lake I fish and fill a bucket half full with Snails in just a few minutes!)

I did end up catching quite a few the last month using Hair Rigged Hemp on size 12 hooks, also Large Lob Worms (But was also plagued with Large Eels - eight in one night ,one of the smallest I bothered to weigh was 41/2lb) Mainly fished using tiny Lead, Helicopter rig combined Polaris type float, to make as little noise/splash as possible, freebie wise – anything more than a Egg Cup full and they would “Spook” from the area.

Good luck Dan, and don’t go chasing your tail blaming Bait, it’s a feeding habit they have been forced to adopt I found.

In reply to Post #34
Your right, I’ve also come to the conclusion of late that “The biggest threat to Carp Fishing is Carp Anglers!”

It all seems to have lost its way of late, it’s hard to put your finger on a specific thing , it seems to be a combination of lots of little things adding to one hell of a mess developing.

Loads of people I chat to are saying the same thing, from all over the place.

I've always stuck to the stuff Vets use - Tamodine , it may be expensive but it does go a long way, and it most defiantly works 100%.

Hell it's 23 years ago I joined

In reply to Post #18
Fine thanks JP, hope your well. That was the restriction - you could only ever fit thin Carbon Rods, with the bigger bore a multitude of cheap alternatives could be fitted - some a lot better than Carbon.


I use tensioned Indicators for most of my fishing regardless of range, some as strong as a 7oz loading at the Alarm.

In reply to Post #11
The old Solar Quiver Lock was also seriously restricted in it's use compared to what it was based on (Scorpion)

As Martin (Locky) had to be able to pass the tension Rod through the centre of the 2BA stud Solar used, were as the Defiant Scorpion did not so you could fit different diameter/strength tension rods at will - made from Solid Carbon, Piano Wire, Welding Rods etc...... The design as not changed in almost 30 years now.

Amazes me how people still do not understand that Tension Style Indicators and Indicators that rely on weights are totally different "Animals" . Gravity (weight) does not change, a tension Indicators tension increases as it's bent further into a "U" shape and in doing so drives the hook home.

I've been watching them, kind of chilled out watching - not as serious as the ones in the past.

Looking forward to the last episode with John Locker, think Matt and Mick will be learning a lot off John

I watch loads on YouTube - Ginger Fisherman, Des Taylor, Jim L, Biker Piker etc................. but for something very different "Reef Addicts" takes some beating, what a life style!

In reply to Post #4
Here you go - being inserted into a concrete path, using a proper ratchet (A Tommy Bar could not possible cope with such torque, top would sheer clean off!)


https://www.facebook.com/61557662053785/videos/1156786905806338