Fours

With a new shift pattern in place at work, I now find myself with a Friday free to fish. I'm off to a local smallish drain to try my hand at piking this week. I'm looking for some advice on the definitive deadbait.One word answers if you like. My head is jumbled with all the available options! Also, is it too late to have a go with a lure?

Very eloquently said.

Good for you. They do seem to attract some 'interesting' characters, but like I said not all bad. Took my lad (12) to a local lake last month, just to catch something and hopefully become bitten.It worked. Only a small mixed fishery and obviously commercial, but didn't want him to blank on a tougher water. He now wants to learn some tricks from his Dad on the river.He loved the fishing, but not the setting. Nuff said.

You forgot to say "in an aggressive manner". Each to his own.Not for me.

Some really good and valid points I'm sure chaps.Thanks for your thoughts. As I've said previously, I don't get off on commercial waters.As alluded to by several posts, it is the mentality of some (not all, let's be fair) of the 'hole-in-the-ground' brigade that makes the experience unsavoury. Why, for example, do a large majority of them want to land the fish in record-breaking time?? Surely the pleasure comes from the fight? Could this rough treatment be a contributory factor alone?

Very good!

'Gayling'??

Best looking fish and most minging? 1.Chub - need I say more?What a tease! 2. Perch - Oh yeah!Any day. 3. Crucian - dumb, but kinda cute! 4. Salmon - posh totty! 5. Tench - slippery tinca!? 6. Bream - lovely hips! 7. Roach - too flashy! 8. Barbel - too strong! 9. Carp - too common! 10. Pike - 10 pinter!

What should be the next gizmo? Have we exhausted it all now? Think of all the 'advancements' in the past 20 years alone! Saturation point? What would REALLY make a difference? I can't think of anything, but then my head's not a lightbulb. Any ideas?

Sorry to nudge in, but come on!! At least attempt to make it appear more random! Too obvious.Look at that platform!Overkill. Get a bloody grip man.Honestly.No wonder you struggled. I give up.You people!

Apart from the obvious dog biscuits, what weird and wonderful alternatives have you used to catch carp from the surface? A rather 'enigmatic' mate of mine told me he used Flumps (marshmallow)!

Ha ha, followed by erasure of the nightmare and a sleepless night before the next session, etc etc...

As long as you are tight to the lead, an alarm should register any bite almost instantly I would have thought.

Here endeth the lesson.....

No, not Dents. It is barbless only. Not a million miles me then, your club water.

Mike, I couldn't agree more. I wanted to cut my teeth in terms of instant success on a 'guaranteed' water, and in retrospect I regret doing so. I have fished for most species in my time, and have always enjoyed anything but commercial lakes. I also encountered a similar attitude to the one you mentioned by 'fellow anglers' on this water. On another topic I started (crucian Carp), I mentioned that the water I fished was very hard going, but the rewards were well worth the effort and patience I was prepared to put in. I suppose it just compounded my view of this kind of venue, and I won't make the same mistake again! Unfortunately, many will without realising it is a mistake anyway! Thanks for your views.I am chastised!

It's the night before an early start on the bank.I may or may not have fished the venue before, it matters not. Am I the only one who is so excited that I can't get off?? Lying there 'virtually' setting my rods up, working out precisely how I'll tackle the water, how I'll fight the fish of a lifetime? I wouldn't want it any other way, but usually feel shattered before I start! The anticipation is usually more rewarding than the actual event to be honest, but anyone else as 'child-like' as me? The day (night!) I don't feel this way may be the time to get gardening gloves on!

What are your top 5 bands/solo artists of all time? If you're like me, they're subject to change almost daily! However, mine: 1. Radiohead (The Bends); 2. David Sylvian (Secrets of the Beehive); 3. Pink Floyd (Wish you were here); 4. The Cure (Disintergration); 5. Rage Against the Machine (RATM). That list has already changed as I look at it!

Very good! Even the missus chuckled!

I used the example of a carp because the fish was, well...a carp! I have no particular allegiance to any one species, but respect for them all. If I'd known for sure that the fish was suffering, then maybe I would have 'knocked it on the head'. Wasn't my intention to upset the anti-carp contingent.

Couldn't agree more DD!Disgusting.Thing is, by the state of it, it would have had to have been the result of repeated capture on barbed hooks to have caused this condition.More like barbed trebles!Or was it infected in some way?

That's exactly how I would have answered that question!Ha ha.

I've mentioned previously that I was a virgin Carper before this summer, and really wanted to 'pop my cherry' by targeting them this season. I had some good friends with lots of knowledge who were very generous with both their time and patience in helping me succeed in this. I fished some tough waters and I fished some 'easy' ones. One of these was a very well known commercial in East Anglia. I caught several in the session, nothing to write home about but each a new PB. See, I'm not pleased about my 'greatest' fish to date.With any capture I make (big or small), I treat the fish with the utmost respect. This particular Carp, (only 12lb-odd, but hey,early days!) had a mouth like raw tenderised steak!I mean, it was distressing to deal with. Forgive my naivety, but firstly how could this have been caused, and secondly was it in screaming agony?? Incidently, the rules stated "Barbless hooks only".Trust me, it was genuinely disturbing.Couldn't even photograph it. Anyone seen the like of this?

Glad I'm not the only one conscious of starting too many topics! I've learnt lots in the short time I've been here! Chub not my game either I'm afraid, but good luck.

Sorry, didn't explain my point.I always use this method(Lift) when targeting Tench/Carp close in.The terminal tackle will, therefore, reflect the size of fish I'm after. Also, by having all the weight very close to the hook will take it straight to the bottom avoiding bites on the drop from 'nuisance' fish. Really exciting way to register bites too.