Julian

Charlie, quote: Mainline Active-8 boilies. 2 x 12mm on a hair over pva bag of trout pellets. Can't get away from bream up to 12lb on Redesmere, Cheshire using this!!I know what you mean… I’ve taken big bream (and tench) on exactly the same set-up on Capesthorne Top Pool (next to Redesmere) they’re addicted to the stuff..!! Julian

Charlie, quote: Mainline Active-8 boilies. 2 x 12mm on a hair over pva bag of trout pellets. Can't get away from bream up to 12lb on Redesmere, Cheshire using this!!I know what you mean… I’ve taken big bream (and tench) on exactly the same set-up on Capesthorne Top Pool (next to Redesmere) they’re addicted to the stuff..!! Julian

Antoni, Should be able to find all the info you need on carp reels here: http://www.carpfishingonline.com/reels/car...shing_reels.htm Julian

Chesters1, quote: if you have time to " pick decent backgrounds " then your fish is suffering I wasn’t intimating that you should wander around the lake fish in hand looking for a nice background, merely suggesting that which way you have your back when the shot is taken can make a big difference! quote: forget about things in the frame with decent software these can be removed later.By framing the shot I mean make sure the fish pretty much fills the frame, it doesn’t matter how good your software is, if the shot is taken to far back and the fish looks like a minnow in shot, there won’t be that much you can do about it after, furthermore, not all of us want to cheat with 'decent' software Reel Deal, Unfortunately, I don’t think there are any magic chemicals to stop misting up. However, you can use one or two accessories to delay the effect. The use of a plastic or rubber lens hood / collar is the best way to delay the effects of misting up. Many astronomers who take shots in similar circumstances use this method, they are dead cheap, starting at around £5.00. Also, many make their own ‘mods’ to stop misting up. They attach very fine wire around the edge of the lens, and power it up of a small battery, which, once warmed up, eliminates misting completely. OP-JB, Interesting insight to big fish holding… should I ever be lucky enough to find a 50’plusser in the bottom of my net I’ll be sure to lock-up! I’ve been lucky enough to hold some decent fish in my time, and whilst damn heavy, I’ve found that adrenalin usually gets me through, and once the fish is released I usually fall in a heap on the bank! Cheers, Julian

Following on from the sack thread… I wondered what tips people might be able to give when it comes to getting a good image (I don’t like the term ‘trophy-shot’) once you’ve banked that 50lb+ carp! I used to have a mate who was a professional photographer, he taught me the basics, and the main lesson I learnt with regard to ‘fish’ images was to move away from all your tackle and kit to ensure you don’t get the ends of rods or bits of bivvy making an unwanted appearance in the corner of the shot. I also learnt the value of composition, and how it really helps to fill the frame and pick decent backgrounds to give the shot extra interest(other than the big fish in your hands of course!). Does anybody have any tips to help get the best out of a camera on the bank..?? Julian

Steve, quote: Some of my session members have their camera already set up and pointing just above the unhooking mat. This way a sack isn't needed.The joys of peaceful Wingham, eh? That’s a good idea Steve, and one that I use on some waters. However, on many waters I fish, anything left outside the bivvy that’s not nailed down stands a good chance of not being there next time you pop your head out of the bivvy... day or night! It’s also worth mentioning, that with a bit of practice, nighttime shots can look far more spectacular anyway! The main trick is to ensure you’re right in front of some sort of feature to give the flash something to work on (bushes, walls, shrubs, hedges, etc), this way you avoid getting total blackness on the image behind the person holding the fish. Also helps if you avoid Stella, thus reducing red-eye syndrome Julian

Hi Antoni, I think David’s covered it in terms of the lead. However, it’s worth mentioning that if you wanted to reach greater distances with big loads, it would also help to use some sort of shock-leader, which would help soak up a lot of the stress on the cast when giving it ‘the big chuck’. As the shock-leader is a higher breaking strain than your main line, it allows you to 'load' the rod properly when casting big distances without fear of snapping the line. Julian

Hi Brian, I’m still on the case from your last email. I recently spoke to Phil Elks with regard to Cheadle AC’s Hales Hall water. Some good carp present I think, but carp fishing was on a special ticket, waiting list, no boilies, etc. They have a couple of other waters though; Shawe Park has 2 waters which are small ponds on rural farmland, again all species and fishing generally easier than Hales Hall Also a quarry pit at freehay, which has all species but only smaller fish as the larger ones were removed some years ago More details at: http://www.cheadleac.domaingold.co.uk I’ll let you know as and when I come across any others that may be worth a cast Cheers, Julian

I’d tend to agree Elton, Whilst I never use sacks ‘for the sake of it’, I think there’s a time and a place. Quite often if I have a ‘good’ fish, and I’m on my own, I’ll need just a minute to sort my camera stuff out. A sack is ideal for this, as I don’t like the idea of leaving a good fish in the landing net, or on the unhooking mat! Also, there are times when they can come in handy when you least expect it; On my last session, I took a good-sized fish, and after netting and unhooking, my friend was at the ready in order to get a photo. At that point, my other rod tore off, and whilst I dealt with the second run, my friend was able to sack the first fish for a minute until things calmed down. In most cases I would have just released the first fish without a picture, etc, but at present we are trying to get pictures of all the carp in this particular water for study by the club. Each to their own, I guess, Julian

Without a doubt… YES! Just so long as Brazil Nuts are allowed Julian

Hi Matt, If it’s the one in Norwood Hill off the A215, then I think it’s run by Borough of Croydon AC, and has stocks of mirror and common carp although I’m not sure on sizes. I think you can fish it on day ticket or season ticket, open all year, for more info tel: 01817 605584. For a very detailed background on the lake, although there’s no mention of the fish, take a look at this croydon.gov.uk/ledept/Parks/xso...andgrounds.html Cheers, Julian

Richard, No problem, I'll email you some more details. Cheers, Julian

Richard, No problem, I'll email you some more details. Cheers, Julian

Hi Bretty, Some manufacturers suggest that you ‘pre-stretch’ stiff-rig hook lengths before use. If I’m using fluorocarbon lengths (ESP-Ghost), I always pre-stretch the rig to eliminate line curl. To do this, once the rig is made up, I find some wood, press a notice board tack into it, place the hook around it, and then stretch the line tacking another pin through the eye of the swivel. I tend to leave them stretched for an hour or so before use, after which, they remain straight. it also helps if you can then keep them pinned in a rig wallet of some sort between sessions. Cheers, Julian

Richard, Christchurch Lake, Heyford Lakes, Linch Hill, Manor Farm Lake, and St Johns Pool, all in Witney, contain tench well into double figures. If you need any further info, just let me know. Cheers, Julian

Richard, Christchurch Lake, Heyford Lakes, Linch Hill, Manor Farm Lake, and St Johns Pool, all in Witney, contain tench well into double figures. If you need any further info, just let me know. Cheers, Julian

Chris, quote: The ones that you put a side, just microwave them. Length of time in microwave depends on size and mix of the boilie. They will need a drop of your chosen additives added to the bag you keep them in. Or you can soak them, both ways work. Used this method a few times when I've wanted some in a hurry. I've always found that they tend to shrivel/dry up. Any tips to get around this? Also, when using the microwave, be prepared for the wrath of the missus, used to do Squid & Octopus in the microwave, which used to waft a lovely smell all round the house Julian

I think the biggest common is around 36½lb, with mirrors to around 34lb, and a few grass carp to around double figures. Apparently there are some perch and crucians just under the 4lb mark and cats to high doubles. Sounds a nice place to have a bash at, don’t know what you might end up banking! Cheers, Julian

Hi Gopher, It’s just south of Tunbridge Wells. If you take the A267 (Frant Road) south from Tunbridge, then after about ¾ mile turn left onto the B2169 (Bayham Road). After about 400yards you will come to a cross road, where you turn left onto Forest Road. Follow for about ½ a mile taking your first right into Benhall Mill Road. Stay on this road and soon after you go over the railway the lakes are down on your right somewhere, but I think to actually get at them, you need to stay on the road to the next cross road, turn right into Hawkenbury Road, and after about ¼ of a mile there should be a farm track on your right that leads down to the lakes. I think there are about 5 small lakes that were built originally as trout lakes. I’ve seen a couple of photos in the past of big 20’s and some low 30’s from one of the lakes. Hope it helps Julian

Should be OK. I’ve sometimes found in the past when using poly-balls, that after boiling and cooling, a slight gap forms between the polystyrene and the bait, so if the baits are being left in for long periods, they can ‘take-in’ an amount of water thus loosing an amount of their buoyancy. Julian

Nosher, Do you mean Aldenham Reservoir in Elstree? I’ve not fished it, but in the past I’ve spoken to Eric Barnes who I think was the park manager there. From memory, beans, nuts, and meats were all banned for the carp, so it’s mainly boilies they come out on. I think particles are allowed, and the fish respond well to a decent bed of bait. Some decent fish in there though I hear, is there a big common around the 36lb mark? Julian

quote: Try Ian Welch of RMC, I believe that it has been used on their waters. Or maybe Steve Burke? Many thanks, will do. Julian

quote: Try Ian Welch of RMC, I believe that it has been used on their waters. Or maybe Steve Burke? Many thanks, will do. Julian

Can’t help much on this one. I’ve had a look but can’t find anything. I know the company name is Lee Valley Baits, and they do the Aqua Krill. I’m guessing they’re near the Lee Valley complex. It might be an idea to give Gary Smith (Lee Valley Fisheries Manager) a call: 01992 702200. He might be able to help? Julian

Elton, Two that I know in Carlisle with Pike are; Lonsdale Country Park, Cotehill, Carisle – SSSI designated site. 10-acre water with pike to mid 20’s and plenty of doubles. Also have ghost carp to 25lb! Two rods allowed and live/dead baits seem to do the trick. Prices between £4.00-6.00 per day and I think you can also get a 24hr night ticket. All the usual facilities including food and bait. Unhooking mats required. The other is East View Fishery, Southwaite, Carlisle – Only about an acre (an old quarry I think) but it holds pike to high doubles. Night fishing allowed, and again has all the usual facilities. Think there may be a one rod limit though. Howzat… Julian