wayne baker

I think if your fishing at close range eg stalking chub or barbel on your local river it probably pays to wear something drab and ghost into your suroundings. But i really dont see the point of going to the extremes that some of the carp boys do nowadays. Head to toe in realtree and the like. I think noise pays a bigger factor when fishing than being seen. Slow delibertate movement and stealth is all you need. No need to dress like a SAS sniper And while we are on the subject. Whats the point of a camo baiting needle? One of my friends gave me one and i dropped it whilst chubbing last winter and it took me all day to find it

Sounds like it could of been crays but strange like the others said you didnt catch any. Correct me if i am wrong but i always found that crucians were mid water feeders. And maybe you should try fishing off the bottom with a verywell shotted float so that only a very small tip is showing. Another thing that could of accounted for the bites could have been a fish trailing line.

Thanks for the adcive everyone i will be given them all a look. Lets hope this winter is cold enough to need them lol.

Cheers They look a bit posh for me though. Are they what the queen wears lol. And the price is a bit much for a poor old essex boy

Hi everyone Just wondering what are the best boots to invest in this winter? My old skeetex have seen better days and Im thinking of investing in something else for this winter if we get one. Iam a roving angler so i dont want nothing to cumbersome. But something warm. Any surgestions Wayne

It would have to be my trusty north western 1 1/4 TC and a cardinal 55. Im a bit old fashioned lol.

I remmember the constant domination of the culvert swims. People sleeping on the causeway all night and keeping the bank stick in place and reserving swims for other peoplr due down in the morning. Being younger then and being new down there i always use to keep away from the culvert and happy to fish further down the bank out the way of the more experienced anglers. I remmember using balloons to. And the constant frustration when i was unable to strike them off. Until i learnt a little trick to make it easier. It was a goood learning ground for the younger pikers and a very social place to swap ideas and learn from the older guys You can still fish it on a season ticket now. I found out the other day. So if i can get one i might be given it a go again. I do miss it a lot

If you are only trooting smallish rivers you will get away with just pulling a loop or two. But the wallis cast is worth learning. It will take you a little time to master but well worth it.

I dont think theres is enough evidence to surgest that female pheramones can contrabute to catching fish. Mrs ballentynes fish all them years ago is the only acount i can think of. And she probably had a good gilly that day I did know a carp angler many years ago who experimented with his wifes draws in some strange ways. I wont go into details of courseBut i will say the only thing in my bait bucket is the bait.

Yes Budgie The culvert was crazy for getting baits. When the traps were there it was just chocker block with roach. of all sizes i can even remember seeing someone haul out one not far short of three pounds one day. The last time i fished Abbo was i think 99 and it was still doing the odd good fish. But a shadow of its former self. From the days that made it famous.When the fish traps were removed it started to go downhill. Over the years i had a lot of nice fish from there but i never managed anything over 25ib. Though i saw some lovely fish caught. And have loads of memories

Not sure myself havent been down there for a while been working away. but the last few times i looked at the place there was no one fishing there. And it didnt look like anybody had been for a while. Was hoping someone could shed some light on it If the fishing has stopped there it would be a great loss.

I remmember a few years ago when i was doing a lot of carp fishing. I was at layer pit and i was in the water about to net a fish for someone when the hook pulled and the rig came flying back at some speed and it was only my quick reactions that stopped me getting a crack on the head. It has always surprised me that no body has been killed by somebodys crack off yet. Boy do them things fly sometimes

Were only half way through the season guys, The best is yet to come. I love the winter those lovely cold mornings, Ice cold rain down the back of your neck, the wind freezing my beard so i look like scott of the antarctic lol. And of course hopefully some big pike and chub. And maybe a barbel or two if its mild enough

Hi BUDGIE Your right you can do it yourself with exactly the bit of home made kit you mentioned. As for where you disagreed with me it was probably my fault for not wording it right. Most fish will die from hooks being left in the i can just recall a few ocaisions when fish have recovered. Not that this should be the case to start with. tight lines

I agree with Elton. Over the years i have seen a lot of deep hooked pike. It cant be helped sometimes even to the experiencd angler sometimes they will just woof the bait down. If you happen to have a deep hooked fish you can pull on the trace gently and envert the gullet. Its a two man operation, One to hold the fish and one to do the unhooking. But remmember to push the gullet back once you have done with a blunt instrement ig a bank stick Also remmeber to avoid the gullet coming in contact with the gill rackers or teeth. The fish may need nursing for a while in a tube till you are sure its fit to go. As for can pike digest hooks. I have known a few fish over the years that have been caught after a deep hooking and have been healthy. Pike have digestive jucies that can get rid of hooks eventually. Not that that should be the case. everyone that fish for pike should follow the golden rules that all pikers follow. I have been piking for nearly thirty years and it still puzzles me some people still on a moment think they will have a go for the pike without any knowledge of the speciesMost people think pike are tough but they are not.. Once on they are on the bank they are in your hands and deserve respect and careful handling. When piking stay swiched on and watch your indicators preferabley drop arms and watch your rod tips. Pike dont smash off with baits like some people will av you belive they can be very subtle at times. Esepcially in the depths of winter.

the only thing that worries me when im night fishing is when i get home after a good night and have to tell my wife im going back again. lol

Hi mikeT I would say to you carry a few lures with you incase this happens again. And try to catch the offending critter. remmember to use a wire trace though. Once you have him on the bank stuff his mouth with some of the contents of your keepnet. At the end of the day pike are predators and are only taking advantage of a situation you have created.

Hi all Any of the members got any stories from the legendry essex venue Abberton reservoir? I fished it for many years from the early eighties to the early two thousands. It was a cold and beautiful place in winter to sleep in your car and freeze at night just to get the culvert. In hope that you might catch a monster pike. My heart is heavy with memories of it and need some comfort lol

Hello leeds If you are just going for a try at carping for a day i would try to find out what the other guys are gettiing result on. maybe its the method spodding etc. Most carpers nowadays follow the crowd for short term results bait wise. But on hard pressured waters baits blow eventually and theres a lot to be said for for trying something different. Carp are like people they get bored and fancy a change now and again. Escepially the big fish that have probably been out a few times on Dr zeds wonder mix, Theres loads of good quality ready mades about now and they will all work. I personelly have always been a believer in trying something different. my favourite flavoures have always been maple and anything fishy.Mind you i havent done any serious carping for over fifteen years. But i got my wings in the days when it was still a bit of a challenge to bank a monster.

Result I have always been a fan of the big s. Its a fantastic lure for all species and i have caught a lot of fish on them over the years, But remmember all lures have their day depending on conditions. At least at that price you wont be to scared of losing one or two lol

Yeah i would agree between twwenty and thirty quid for a goodun. Worth keeping hold of though.

I think the main problem today is people come into carp fishing without learning the basics of watercraft. Especially the young. Carp fishing is so popular now almost a sport in itself and most kids that fish probably have a father that fishes for carp and probably either cant be bothered to teach the basics to a newcomer or doesnt now a lot themself. Certainly from my expierince i know a lot of carp anglers that wouldnt know how to trott for roach, or touch ledger for barbel.

Hi i always found cheese a good coloured water bait for chub and barbel in the winter months. My favourite is danish blue i usually need it into some bread to make a paste. it has a strong smell and often you can take fish from a swim without any need for ground bait because it smells so strong fish will seek it out

hello all Just joined the forum. I have been fishing now for over thirty years for most species mainly in eastern england and i hope i will be able to add some good input into this forum. I love pike fishing mainly and also river fishing for barbel and chub. I had the carp bug for many years but in recent times i rarely fish for carp unless i can find somewhere quiet which is pretty rare these days