wayne baker

I quite agree Budgie. So many people these days use heavy rods Even when there is no need. It seems to be the in thing. when i first started carping in the early eighties we had rods and reels a lot less meaty than what we have today. But it didn't stop us catching fish. And as i remember we saw a lot less mouth damage, You use to see the odd fish with a damaged mouth, Usually was a mug that got caught so often it never got time for wounds to heal but in general fish looked good. I really think the finesse and subtlety has gone from carping. I can see some of the rigs these days and they wouldnt look out of place on shingle street.

I think we have had this debate before on several occasions. Rusty is quite right what he said. And I to believe barbless hooks do more damage to a carps mouth than barbed. The nature of carp rigs with their large hooks, braid, and heavy leads swinging around during the fight and the shear lengh of some of the fights, Its no wonder theres so many damaged fish about, Its a shame on one water i fish even some of the tench have suffered aswell.

Thanks Ken, Wisdom over thoughts prevails again.

Was working last night and i was driving round the yard in my fork truck. And watching the moths fluttering round the spotlights, And it suddenly made me think. If most moths are nocturnal. and come out at night why are they so attracted to light? Any thoughts or wisdom?

Its been going on for years in the medical circles its just ignored.

On the small rivers i fish in the summer there really is no other option than the stealthy one. If there's a bit of colour then you can get away with a bit more. But i much prefer to see what i am casting to. Like Peter m said a light quiver rod or an avon. With the simplest of end rig is my favourite tactic during the summer months.

He is quite welcome to come for a paddle down my local stretch whenever he likes,

Glad the drive paid off for you. Apart from lossing the biggy you still had a great session. Some good pics there too

When it comes to wels catfish They have been my bogey species for years. Only ever fished for them in the UK and i have had a fair few on traditional baits and tactics but a real biggie has always eluded me. A bunch of lobs can be good but you can get pesterd by other fish like perch etc. Leeches are good if you can get hold of them fished in conjunction with a poly ball rig to keep them working of the bottom. No need to keep them in the fridge just a container filled with lake water kept in a cool place. beauty of leeches is you can use them over and over again long as you dont loose them and they arnt damaged beyond repair. Hook them lightly. There tough as old boots. Other baits worth trying are squid. Liver,smoked bacon rind, or even make up a nice smelly fish based paste. Regards Wayne tight lines

Sounds interesting. I'm sure they would have many uses with the innovative amongst us

Might aswell get yourself a nice little bait caster reel while you are at it

I wouldn't compare fishing to golf. I think the only thing they have in common is that they can become obsessive, Expensive, and get you out in the fresh air.

You could use you light avon if you wanted. Though i would say if you are going to get into it more seriously its worth investing in a proper lure rod. My old ABU one has a wieghted butt and you can hold it all day

Another hassle free way to prepare it if you want quite a lot for a session is to put it in a old cool box and keep adding boiling water to it and replace the lid. Over a couple of days you get perfect hemp. And no ear ache from the missus or your mum.

When it comes to razor blades you really do get what you pay for. I personally use gillette fusion and they are a bit pricey but i can make a pack of four last a month. And i shave my head as well. The most important thing is once you have finished is to give them a good rinse through with hot water Preparing your whiskers properly before shaving is important to. Soak them well with a hot flannel and it softens them and this makes it less wearing on the blades. I can honestly say i haven't cut myself shaving for years. If i was as good a angler than i am at shaving i would be famous lol

Was the 61ib wels the famous goliath from a certain essex res?

In my original post i did mention about leaving the weed in the water. And thats another good reason to do so Budgie, Its amazing how much aquatic life you pull in sometimes.

I agree, Take SPSallows advice and keep it simple to start with. If you have never been course fishing before its best to start with the basics. A float rod. Learn about the finer points of course fishing and be content with fishing a few maggots under a waggler etc and see what comes along. Try a few other baits as well Worms, Sweetcorn, Bread luncheon meat, etc. If there's any carp about they will quite happily pick them up. If you are going with someone with a little knowledge I'm sure they will give you a few pointers. If not then just try and enjoy yourself. Keep the bait on the botton and be patient.

Dont see why not, Just put as many as you can and keep an eye on them. I suppose you could use jubilee clips aswell.

I done exactly the same as vagabond. So simple and effective i just riveted them together. Its really good way of attacting the fish to feed and its amazing how quick they responed sometimes after a racking. One thing i will say though, Its best to deposite all the dragged out weed back into the margin to the side of your swim rather than leave a pile on the bank to dry in the sun. Because other people will know the swim has been cleared and willl also benefit from your hard work.

Well done Rusty. I can remember my first barbel, It was smaller than yours, But still special. Looks like a cracking stretch of river.

When i have to ledger a dead i always use balsa inserts attached to the trace. But mostly if i want to present a bait of the bottom its the good old float for me.

Hello mate. Remember split shot comes in different sizes SSG AAA BB 1 4 6 8 . Each half the size of the other. So for example if you have a float that is rated 3 AAA you could use six bb to cock it if you wanted. Or a 2 BB float you could use four no 1 or six no 4. Depending on how you are fishing and want to present the bait on a canal i would want to evenly distribute the shot down the line. Unless i wanted to have a slower sinking bait then i would have it closer to the float. I ain't no expert of the finer elements of float shotting but I'm sure there's someone than can enlighten you a bit more. Hope Ive help you a little. Regards Wayne

Cant recall ever seeing it but i have no doubt perch and any other predatory inclined fish would take advantage of them. I have seen pike take full grown frogs though. Welcome

I fish the suffolk stour a lot, And there are barbel present in certain stretches but very few and far between, and very hard work to locate. The wensum is probably your best bet.. There use to be a free stretch at costessy near the mill. and another at drayton. But you would have to look into it. I havent been up the wensum for a few years now. Should really give it a look sometime myself.