hard waters

[Newt]

The fish will not be spread out evenly but will concentrate where they find conditions most to their liking. It then becomes a matter of locating where they are and fishing there or else doing a really good job of baiting so that the fish decide they like where you have your rigs placed.

 

Warmer weather is probably easier since the fish are more active and easier to locate and winter may find you having to locate likely features, assume the fish are there, and try for them.

 

Severn Wolf - as a matter of interest, how are you sure of the exact (or even the approximate) count of carp in the lake?

[chesters1]

hard ? a really hard water doesent have fish at all

[Rich Habbershaw]

Marmite, those fish will have definite feeding patterns, whether it is naturals or not shouldn't matter (unless they are preocupied) This time of year the natural foods are dwindling fast, so your chances are improving.

 

Find the feeding times (these will change, sometimes daily) but if they are feeding, then you can catch them

 

Most lakes have periods when the fish seem to "switch off", you just have to keep pluggng away.

 

Use a good food source bait (basic fishmeal etc, nothing fancy) so you can at least be sure of the bait, balance it so it sinks slowly and rests on the lake bed. You will then be sure the fish can see and smell it, so two more doubts removed

 

Make sure your hooks are really sharp, and the weight is heavy enough to set the point of the hook.

 

Pretty basic stuff, but you would be surprised how many little things can go wrong..

 

We used to have a saying "If you can't catch in Sept, then you won't catch any other time" Good luck, and persevere,

 

Den

 

Have to agree with poledark on the feeding periods.

 

My water can be hard to fish due to the number of anglers putting bait in. Theres a definate 'switch on' at sunrise & then mid afternoon to dusk, at other times you just need to hit the same spot continuously to catch out the odd one.... example was last weekend when the father-in-law was fishing late afternoon after a heavy spell of rain, yes he's a fair weather fisherman, nothing for hours but upped his rate of casting & bingo.

 

Looking forward to some winter fishing, hopefully more fruitful than last years blank.

[Severn Wolf]

How do you keep the spirits up with only 15 fish in over 20 acres of water ?

Mainly beer and good food!

 

I`m self employed and spend most of my time fishing on overnighters. Its easy on the mind to fish one nighters on hard waters, come nine o`clock the next day I`m heading back off down the motorway. No chance of blowing out on week long sessions.

 

Newt:

as a matter of interest, how are you sure of the exact (or even the approximate) count of carp in the lake?

 

Observation mate. I`ve spent hours and hours up the trees and have got to recognise quite a few of the fish.

Also, the fishing is just so slow that it confirms a low stock and after a few chats with the other guys down there we have managed to identify no more than fifteen different fish. There must be mavericks in the place but I`d reckon 15 is a fairly accurate stock count.

[Newt]

Thanks for that info. I have so little experience with smaller lakes that I'm always fascinated about the idea of fishing where you pretty much know what is available.

[corydoras]

Thanks for that info. I have so little experience with smaller lakes that I'm always fascinated about the idea of fishing where you pretty much know what is available.

I still can't get my head round fishing for fish that you know personally

Edited October 3, 2006 by corydoras

[Guest Brumagem Phil]

I still can't get my head round fishing for fish that you know personally

 

I hear he tickles em underthe chin too!

[Newt]

Works fine for trout & pretty well for largemouth bass Phil (the tickling thing). Probably would do OK for pike except for those teeth.

 

Surprised it works for carp though.

[kestrel]

Mainly beer and good food!

 

I`m self employed and spend most of my time fishing on overnighters. Its easy on the mind to fish one nighters on hard waters, come nine o`clock the next day I`m heading back off down the motorway. No chance of blowing out on week long sessions.

 

Newt:

 

 

Observation mate. I`ve spent hours and hours up the trees and have got to recognise quite a few of the fish.

Also, the fishing is just so slow that it confirms a low stock and after a few chats with the other guys down there we have managed to identify no more than fifteen different fish. There must be mavericks in the place but I`d reckon 15 is a fairly accurate stock count.

 

 

Do you ever get demoralised and have a day or two on easier waters,just to prove to yourself that you are still doing the right things?

[RobStubbs]

Do you ever get demoralised and have a day or two on easier waters,just to prove to yourself that you are still doing the right things?

 

I did that once many years back, caught three in a night and didn't enjoy it.

 

I've blanked on waters for the whole season a couple of times but that's just fishing. I guess it comes down to your level of confidence which in turn comes from past experience. I do change things every now and again and I've a feeling I've moved away from things that worked and results did get worse. I can however live with that but this winter I have a few new plans up my sleeve as I will be out a little bit more than in the last couple of years, since I have a bit more free time.

 

Rob.