kas

What about 'superglue', I remember reading somewhere that it can be an effective way of attaching 'bait' to 'hook'. Probably messy though and makes a right mess of your hooks. Jusy a thought.

Im no expert on fish weights but having had a good look at the photo I would estimate the fish to be around 14 or 15 inches in length. Does that help out estimating the actual weight?

Presumably there will be some see of 'fee' or 'subscription' for this service! Anyone know how much it is likely to be?

Please advise, do landing nets all use the same size thread connection. I need a new handle and may just replace that rather than the net as well. My curent handle / net has a thread of about 8mm (male on net female on handle) - Is this a standard fitting as I may try to get a bargain from the web and most places don't specify the thread size. Thanks kas

Update: Thought I would try using potatoes yesterday for an hour or so, just out of interest, at my local pond Part boiled some new potatoes then cut them into dice sized cubes! The result was a bit disappointing to say the least, I managed to land one 2lb bream, and nothing else think that was actually my only bite at all using potato. Switched back to sweetcorn and landed about 15 fish in the next hour or so. Might try adding some colouring and flavouring next time. kas

I am in the process of reading an old book entitled 'Still Water Angling' by Richard Walker which dates back to around 1953. In it the author rates 'potato' as one of the best general baits for carp/tench/bream fishing. I was wondering if anyone still uses it regularly as a bait, and if so in what form (ie raw, roasted, boiled, whole, chopped or 'mashed' only joking! on that one). I haven't heard it mentioned often as a bait, but might give it a go! Would be interested to hear veiws on 'potatoes'. kas

Hi, I need to renew my line, and am a bit undecided on what breaking strain line I need. I fish a local 4 acre pond for fun and have currently on my reel DAIWA monofil 8lb, I have a lot of success and generally catch tench, bream and the odd carp (normally up to the 10lb mark), I have even had a couple of smallish pike already this year (5 and 6 lbs). I dont go after any particular fish so I need a line that will cover me for small fish but also if I do get into something big (the pond holds lots of carp up to about 28 lbs I am told) I want to be able to handle it. Should I stick with 8lb line or will I get away with using a 5 or 6lb line. Thanks for your help. kas

Thought I would show you all my first ever pike. Don't quite know how I managed it as I was float fishing using 2 sweetcorn looking mainly for large bream. As I was reeling in something just grabbed the line and shot off with it at great speed. It headed left and right and I thought I had lost it when it went into some reeds but fortunately it popped back out again. My initial thought was that I had a nice size carp on until I saw the distinctive mouth come to the surface, frightened the life out of me. It weighed in at just under 5 pounds (which is small in relative terms) but to me it was a monster.

Another stupid question. On say 4lb bs mono line, what weight fish could you land without any problems (will it take a 10lb fish no problem). As per my first post yesterday I need to use a low bs line but do not want to limit myself to small fish only, you never know what may come along! kas

Thanks for all the replies, all the information has been taken on board !

Thanks for that Errrm, One question, why will a lighter line increase the casting distance, I would have thought a heavier line would go further? kas

Just started getting back in to fishing (haven't been for about 20 years since before marriage and kids). Anyway have been to my local 4 acre pond three times (15 hours in total) and have managed to land about 20 fish, about 19 of them were I'm told bream the other was a slightly larger fish of about 18 inches which I have not yet been able to identify (possibly a coomon carp - I only have a mobile picture of it and its not very clear). Anyway I am using a standard 12' match rod, 6lb line and insert crystal waggler (the clear ones), at a depth of about 4 feet, using sweetcorn, bread and luncheon meat. As I said I am really pleased that I have been getting fish regularly and all have been brought in from not too far out, probably three rod lengths at most near reeds and overhanging trees. I am unable to get any distance on my casting , presumably because my set up is too light, what is the best advice for getting distance if needed. Have brought a puddle chucker but it needs an enormous amount of weight to cock the float, surely if I put too much weight on the float will not be sensitive to 'bites' as any small fish will not be able to pull float under? Or have I got a problem with my reel or line? Another question, must I get a 'leger' rod to start down that route, or can a basic light leger set up be used on a standard match rod. Sorry if these are dumb questions but any help appreciated !!!!!!!!! kas