Dansdad

My local tackle shop is invaluable. It is staffed by dedicated angler and because I go there regularly I've built up a good rapport with the staff and as a result they have given me excellent tackle advice on my that has definitely helped put more fish on the bank. I've also been given good tips on where to fish for a given target species. Personally I wouldn't shop on-line unless the goods/services weren't available locally. Cheers Ron

Was just unhooking a small carp when it decide to flip. Next thing the Carp is loose on the mat and I have a size 6 hook buried in my thumb ! Funnily enough it didn't hurt unless I tried to move it. One of my mates volunteered to take it out with a pair of pliers saying 'It'll only hurt for a few seconds' but being a wimp I wouldn't let him so it was off to casualty. What a lovely place to be on a Friday night ! 3 hours later I was seen by this very large West Indian doctor. 'We'll not bother with anaesthetic he says just look away. He then pins my arm to the desk, gets a pair of forceps on the hook and yanks. Second time it came out but the thought still makes my eyes water ! And I always use forceps now unless on barbless. Cheers Ron

Never fished Yaddlethorpe ponds myself I'm afraid so can't help but it is day ticket and according to the local paper, fishing well. However if you want a dead easy water, you could try Messingham Sands. Go past Yaddlethorpe ponds leaving Scunny. A couple of miles up the road you'll come to a X roads, turn right. About half a mile down there, there is a left turn down a gravel track. Immediately on your right is the Oak Tree Pond. Parking behind most pegs and its solid with fish. Gets popular at a weekend though. Next on the right is a match lake followed by two more day ticket waters, also on the right. There's some good fish in these with Carp and Cats topping 20 lb but there obviously not as easy as the Oak Tree Pond. Day tickets are collected on the bank and I think they cost £5. Dawn to dusk fishing only. If you don't fancy that, then carry on down the road another half mile and there's a day ticket pond opposite the driving range which has a good selection of species to go at. I think you have to get your tickets from the clubhouse but best check first. Hope this helps. Cheers Ron

Hi Andy, I have to agree with the other posters - make up your own traces and that way you have absolute control over the items used. I use 30lb b.s. Fox Easy Twist wire and have never had a problem but you must of course check your traces regularly. Making traces is easy once you get the hang of it too. Cheers Ron

Agreed. I always found the Ondex 4 or 5 a killer in the shallow lincolnshire drains with silver blade preferred over gold. Had pike out up to over 14lb and there's ayways the chance of a good Perch too. Other favourites include the Swimmerspoon and the Abu Hi-Lo. Cheers Ron

Some clubs are turning to modern technology to apprehend the fish thieves. http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=83642 Makes you wonder if these fish were being nicked for the table or to sell on. Cheers Ron

Here in rural Lincolnshire we also have a problem with East Europeans taking fish for the pot but I think its more an ignorance of the law rather than deliberately disobeying it. However this is no excuse and when in this country they have to live by our laws so education is the way forward. Interestingly, a number of Poles were caught spinning on a local commercial match water. They didn't know they were doing wrong and the local bobbies said that they couldn't be prosecuted because they were no warning signs in Polish ! Hmmm......it could only happen here ! Cheers Ron

You should be ok with most of your Carp gear depending on what you use. For pike fishing 15lb b.s. is a minimum with 20lb b.s. preferred and a wire trace a must. Don't be afraid to go heavy with the wire as it doesn't put the pike off and is more resistant to kinking. Barbless or semi-barbless hooks are the best for pike conservation. You must have at least 2 pairs of long forceps and an unhooking mat. Your Carp landing net should be OK. Don't be tempted to 'chin' them out as you may have seen on the telly. one mistake and you are in deep do-do ! Unhooking is fairly easy but difficult to explain so its best that you go with an experienced piker first to learn the ropes. You'll only get bitten if you make a mistake or get careless. Oh, and have a good bite indication set up for both runs and drop backs. The old 'rule' about waiting 10 seconds for the pike to turn the bait is nonsense and you should strike as quickly as possible. Sure you may loose a few but they are usually greedy jacks that have more than a mouthful. Certainly contacting your local PAC will give you all the expert information you need and probably a good few tips as to locations. Cheers Ron

want to do some river fishing, so if anyone has hints on teney lock and the ancholme (venues and tackle) then i would appreciate it Hi, The Ancholme around the Brigg Island is a superb winter venue for all species. Either the Leisure centre/Cake Mills stretch on the New River or the Springs/Cadney Road stretches are all good. But if you do fish the old river, especially on the Springs stretch, check for dog poo before putting your gear down ! Once bitten, twice as careful !!!! There is also good predator fishing here and Perch over 3lb have been caught. The best pike that I'm aware of went 29lb 14oz. Its Scunny waters but day tickets are available on the bank if you don't want to buy a book. Cheers Ron