andy_moule

www.pikeforum.co.uk Just thought I'd mention it, looks like a good forum for those pike fans out there!

Wyton lakes are in the caravan park just off the St Ives - Huntingdon road next to the Marina. I heard there are some good bream and tench in there. I know St Ives lakes very well - been fishing them a lot, but don't tell everyone how good they are.......!

Wyton lakes are in the caravan park just off the St Ives - Huntingdon road next to the Marina. I heard there are some good bream and tench in there. I know St Ives lakes very well - been fishing them a lot, but don't tell everyone how good they are.......!

Has anyone fished wyton lakes, nr St Ives? I was thinking of going there on Saturday but don't know anything about tactics, rules etc.

Trouble is with supermarkets, they don't stock stuff like mini trout, mini mackerel, launce and eel sections! I had a look at baitd direct, but they don't do bulk orders, and buying baits in small packs works out very expensive

I live in North Cambs. There aren't any decent wet fish shops in my area either!

The only place I can find to buy pike baits in bulk is Neville Ficklings place in Gainsboro. Are there any other places I could try? Thanks, Andy.

I heard that Drayton Reservoir is due to close for maintenance. does anyone know if it is still open this Weekend? I was hoping to go up there on Saturday. Thanks, Andy.

Yep, be careful on the rules - I got thrown off once for using a hook with the barb crushed flat - I didn't read the sign to say that even they are not allowed, and didn't realise! They re very strict and WILL come and check your rig. I've fished it a few times, and always did well fishing corn on the hook and baiting with hemp. Pellet is also popular. I'd recommend six island lake for your first trip, a good mix fish and doesn't tend to get too busy. If you want bigger carp, try the beastie lake, but be warned they go to 20lb and scrap like hell!

I'm staying at the Valley hotel in Ironbridge next wanted to do a spot of Barbel fishing - can anyone advise in good areas, where to park etc, day tickets etc? Thanks!

I used to use braid, but I had an experience where it got wrapped around a pike and badly lacerated the fish. I've never had this happen with mono, and I have gone back to mono as a result. The braid I was using had a flat profile, this might be a problem with round profile braids. I see no real reason for using braid, unless you have to cast a long way. The only time I use braid now is for drifting, and even then I use a mono leader, because I'm worried about damaging the fish. I might be paranoid, but I don't want to damage another pike like that with braid. Andy.

Looks like a trip to Woodies is in order then? Has anyone fished the Belmont stretch itself? I know there are Barbel to 11+, but can anyone suggest a good area to try on that stretch?

Anyone fished the Belmont stretch of the Wye at Hereford? I'm booking into the hotel there in a few weeks time, hoping someone can give me some info on the fishing there. I'm keen on the Barbel and Pike in particular. Thanks! Andy.

Can anyone give me more info on lakes that I could walk to from moorings then? I've heard of Fritton lake but know nothing about it!

I want to hire a boat for the weekend soon with some friends. Are there any areas I could go where the closed season doesn't apply? Can't go to Ireland because I can only spare a couple of days, so I'm wondering if there are any areas of the broads that are closed-season free. Thanks! Andy.

Hi, Yes they are a freespool, and they cost from £20 up depending on the number of bearings. I've had three of the basic £20 jobs for a season now, given them real abuse with heavy braid for piking, and they've been faultless. They are pretty smooth, have good line lay and come with a spare spool too. I can't recommend them highly enough! Andy.

Hi, For Suffolk Water Park, I would ask on here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/predator-fishing I have never fished it but I know that a lot of the guys on the the Yahoo forum know it quite well. By the way, I also fish on the St Ives complex! I usually go on the big sailing lake (I think I am almost the only one to fish that lake) and have had some really nice fish, mostly doubles up to 16lb. It's quite hard work though, usually only one fish each trip and lots of eels to give you hassle in the summer and autumn. If you want to chat a bit more about this venue then drop me a line to andy_moule@hotmail.com, would like to hear how you've been getting on!

I'm going down to the Totnes area next month, and want to do a spot of sea fishing. I've fished at Slapton before and had a fair bit of success with whiting and the odd bass, but plagued by Dogfish! Can anyone give me any info on other marks in the area? I've only got Carp rods (part time sea angler!), so anywhere I need more than 4oz to hold bottom, or cast 150yds would be a bit tricky, but hoping someone has some ideas on locations and tactics. Cheers, Andy.

mep? I meant hemp!

Bread is usually very good on lakes like this. I used to just use a cheap sliced loaf, take out a few slices for hookbait, then liquidise the rest. It only needs a tiny bit of water to bind together. Adding a bit of crushed mep can sometimes help too. In the summer I'd fish flake on a good sized hook, anything from a size 14 to a size 10, and feed quite a golf ball sized lump of flake every 15 minutes or so. However, when it's cold, you should be very careful with your feeding as breadcrumb is quite filling, only a marble sized ball very so often, and fish breadpunch on a smaller hook, something like a size 18. Hope this helps! Andy.

looks like I'm not the only one who doesn't think much of Nash gear!

Mine was an original Nash oval brolly. OK for a few sessions, then began to leak like a seive and all the seams came untaped!

The Daiwa is the best rod for the money. And Bennetts are OK for the occasional good deal but generally too expensive!

I've used Drennan Super carbons for years. I've never had a problem with them - very sharp, vary strong, quite soft so not too brittle, and not over-expensive. Andy.

Yes, the Daiwa will handle any fish you are likely to hook in fresh water. I really think this is the ideal rod and reel for you. Good luck! Andy.