weirwulf

Some of the difficulty in both still water and river is down to fish location and both venue types also have various challenges but the one challenge that makes a small river more difficult than any still water is the playing out of a good fish that the angler would only have caught using fine tackle but in an extremely restricted space. Converesely using light gear in open water is a relatively simple task.

Ultimately watching a float disappear gives me the most pleasure as an indicator but the sheer excitement when you get a three foot pull of the tip when a barbel bites has got to rate highly in the list of angling pleasures knowing the huge arm wrenching battle that will soon follow

All those diagrams show how to join one bit of line to another bit of line and not a bit of line to a loop. I would go either with making a loop in the mainline using a double overhand knot and attaching the hook length loop to loop or by passing the main line through the loop on the hook length and then tying a seven turn blood knot. If using a flourocarbon line then attach via a palomar knot

Never used that idea but frequently wrap paste round baits with huge success. Always worth trying an idea as it may just work really well

I attempted to buy mine online about a week prior to the old one running out. It was the payment which caused the problems and after 3 different cards were rejected it had to be a trip to the P.O. Talk about slow, I got it yestyerday. Tend to agree with Vagabond on this one apart from the fact that most of us will still have to renew at much the same time

Thanks for your input on the Z's guys. I think it will probably have to remain a desire for this year due to other commitments but I think I like the sound of the fens

They look remarkably alien and fight a very fast battle even though mine were mainly mid/low doubles. A species that is rewarding to catch and lovely to hold. my next species has to be Zander so if any one can put me in touch locally that will go down well

I asked this question not long ago in a monthly mag because I had noticed Matt using red line in some articles and on TV and then wondered how come red maggots are so devastating unless they can be seen and distinguished and this would indicate the line could also be seen. The reply basically suggested that if it works for you do it! I am not a "carper" myself but I am aware that flouro pop ups fished on their own can often be a winning way to catch so I think there may be something in it

I don't know how to post a link here but Stubpond fishery at Newchapel (near Gatwick) has Sturgeon. In 24 hours I caught 6 using raw liver as bait around the margins as well as 7 cats on big pellets. Just google stubpond and you should find it but when you first speak to the owner he may deny the existence of some species so you will have to take it from me they exist.

Just what harm does a clip round the ear do? It was very recently indeed that we heard a well known child killer re offended after loadsa money and time was lavished on him in the name of reforming his ways. Sorry but I am not a phsycologist and not really qualified to comment but a personal opinion is give 'em what is due so they think twice another time.

If it had to be hard baits I would go for Elips pellets bearing in mind I would be waiting for the water to reach a temperature that was likely to get tench feeding and at the same time release the oils in the baits. If the water was a slow bites venue and the elips were likely to break down before the fish found them I would go for frozen tutti frutti boilies and probably present one critically balanced with a piece of orange coloured fake corn.

Others have mentioned the need to sink line for waggler fishing and to float it for trotting and this is a fact. However it is possible to make "sinking" line float by merely covering it in finger grease which we all have but some vaseline or such is good too. Conversely it is sometimes possible to sink lines by washing them in a solution of washing up liquid and placing a tiny shot a foot above the float to sink the line between float and rod. Personally I would simply buy 2 different lines for waggler and trotting and then you know you have done the best you can. I can't fault the lines already mentioned but reflo makes a good waggler line

I think this depends whether you want to wear camo in particular or just some sensible warm clothing. To put this into context and trying not to be big headed I never wear camo but I do catch a lot of fish and good ones at that but never get cold. Of course it is still important not to wear anything bright but finding warm breathable footwear for example should not be difficult. If you are fishing stationary it will be much simpler to find suitable clothing and the best way to stay warm and dry is to build up layers. Never go without a hat which is often the one item which keeps your body temperature up. If you fish on the move it is imperative to have breathable clothing as it is the perspiration that makes you cold. This means no wellies for example. At the end of the cold season a trip to an outdoor shop may well provide you with some good quality but reasonably priced clothing from makers such as Peter Storm but remember the 2 things to avoid which are bright or reflective colours or materials that scrunch when you move.

I own 2 Daiwa 125s plus a 123. Reliable drag and easy to use. The 123 has no drag but still used now and then. The new Abu still has the strange anti back wind device which I find awkward. The Daiwa comes highly recommended in my opinion and has always been dependable though in fairness I do know someone who had one for one season before it broke.

Without a baitrunner you could also either leave the bail arm open or take the anti back wind out of gear so the reel handle can spin. Always good to have a grippy butt rest to hold the rod in place too

Main thing to remember is this time of year is a long way short of tinca prime time. Give it a few more weeks and you should see them close in and way out

There is a lake behind the Queen Victoria hospital that can be reached by going through the housing estate. It has a rail bridge over it from memory though it is probably over 40 years since I went there. I don't know of any large waters in East Grinstead other than that and Weirwood reservior.

Plenty of fishing clubs in the East Grinstead area depending exactly where you live. Locally there is East Grinstead,Copthorne, Haywards Heath,Isfield, Crowborough, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Ednbridge and others. A visit to Mr Wickham at the East Grinstead tackle shop should put you in the right direction

Whether in season or not that is an absolute dream catch and a big congrats to the captor. Like any one else I sincerely hope it was a legitimate catch

Brasem for sure and sprinkle it in maggots too.

Something to try when you see carp on the surface is a thing called a running zig rig. Essentially it allows the use of a good casting weight to whack the bait out a distance without really having to know the depth first. The cast out bait will be floating but will stay put in the position you cast to. To achieve this all you need is to slide a free running ledger clip up the line followed by a decent size bouyant stopper (something like a small cork ball) to prevent the weight dropping onto the hook when you make the cast and then one of those rubber grippa stops to hold it all in place. Finish the rig off with your hook and bait and for this I usually use the crust of a sliced loaf cut into an inch strip and rolled up tightly attached to hook via a bait band. Set the grippa stop about a metre from the hook and cast the whole lot out leaving the line slack until you see the white crust on the surface. You can then opt to fish it right on the surface or if ducks are present all you need to do is pull it back under the surface by a measured amount of your choice. If the carp take this from the surface be prepared for some manic action! Usually they will make one attempt and leave it and soon after return and smash it down with a big puddle. As with any surface fishing it is best if you can get the fish going with some free offerings first. Chum mixers are good for this

I always thought swans were property of the queen. Perhaps more of these heathens would like to be detained at her majesty's pleasure?

I appreciate this is the coarse section but as there are many of you who fish british rivers this just about qualifies. The Mullet I have caught quite a few and even one a cup for best of year but they seem so unpredictable. I have walked up and down the river where I catch them or attempt to catch them and see loads when the tide drops. I fished for them after digging fresh harbour ragworms from the muddy banks to trot using sensitive gear. What makes them tick? for several visits all I can catch is bass and then doing nothing different I catch mullet continuosly for an hour! A challenge of course but a definite bogey fish.

As others have said ledgering and trotting both require some cunning but really both should be tried. I would be happy to recommend the rod you suggest as being a good rod but you perhaps need to step up to a 1.5 test dual purpose barbel rod. Why not buy a barbel rod and a stepped up float rod and then you more or less have it covered and you could probably achieve it within budget. Wychwood for example do a barbel rod that is reasonably priced and still quite ok and all you then need is one of the hoards of beefed up float rods. Don't miss out on river fun because you stick to ledgering as on bright days often the only way to catch is to stay mobile and run a bait through lots of likely looking spots

Much depends on what you think you might catch and what type of river you are likely to visit. For example if you were to trot for anything up to a chub then to enjoy what you are doing the most you will need a float rod with a fast action tip and not much weight to it. On the other hand if you are going to target barbel with the ledger go for a barbel rod that has a barbel tip and a quiver tip( you can often buy these new for under £50) If you think you will encounter barbel when trotting go for a stepped up float rod. You don't say which of the series 7 rod types you were thinking of but as a group of rods they come highly recommended though for my money the Drennan matchpro would be the better trotting rod