Dan G

Guys - ive just come back from portugal and went out on a big game boat. We were using live mackeral for bait, affixed to the hook using a 'bridle rig'. Essentially, it was a dacron loop which is twisted onto the hook, pierced through the livebaits nostrils and the other end twisted onto the hook... you end up with a hair rigged livebait, with the hook completly exposed. I'm told they use it as it improves the hook hold, allowing the circle hook we were using to pivot easier and prolonging the life of the livebait. What stuck me was how it could work for pike and Zander deadbait fishing, especially with the growing trend for single hooks. It might allow an almost 'hair rig' presentation. Has anyone thought of doing this, or indeed done so? Cheers, Dan

Just come back from Vilamoura. Took my rods and caught a few bream and a small bass. However, a local fishing next to me had a lovely bass - must of been 8lb or so - on a whole live mackeral. He cast out a huge lead on its own. He then clipped on (with a snap swivel) a 3 ft hooklink with 2 big hooks and the mackeral. His rod was pointed skywards and the mackeral then 'zip lined' to the surf and was essentially tethered in the surf. It could swim up or down. Has anyone seen this method before? I was staggered when he nailed the big one, but he'd clearly used the method a few times...

Thanks Brian - just sent the below to John. Hopefully he'll come back to me. I'd have no issue joing DCAC if it allowed me access to Kepier etc. I'll let you know his response, assuming i get one. Thanks again. John, It was suggested that I contact you by Brian Carragher, a forum member on anglersnet.co.uk - I am based in London, but come up every month or so and love to get out on the Wear. My in laws live at Ferens Park in Durham City and I have been fishing the free stretch from the ice rink to Kepier farm boundary - always fly fishing, having caught a few trout, a couple of sea trout and a massive dace. This winter, chub are my focus and Brian suggested you were the man to ask? Does the free stretch contain chub and , if so, any hints? In addition, my in laws live next to Kepier farm which has private fishing signs on it. Do you know anything about the permits for this stretch - it was suggested your organisation might control day tickets on part of this stretch? Feel free to call me (number below) if its easier. Many thanks Dan

I know there used to be some whopping perch at Blandford... used to be fishable on a day ticket

Thanks Brian, thats really helpful - i'll drop John an email i explain where i got his name from. My in-laws live at Ferens Park, Durham so its a two minute walk to the river from their house. I have always only ever fly-fished the stretch and caught lots of trout and a couple of sea trout (plus a rogue monster dace on a GRHE!). Coarse fishing has always been second to the fluff chucking for me, but i do like the biting capability of chub on even the coldest day. I'll give it a go on the free stretch and let you know. Incidentally, do you know who controls the fishing at 'Kepier Farm', right next to my in-laws garden?!

Neoprene is also used for dry suits and to make the boots on the bottom of game fishing waders. I know people dont want to be wet in a dry suit, nor have wet feet from waders, so i'd suggest keeping your gloves dry...

I'm up in Durham for Xmas and was thinking of having a mornings fishing. Was going to travel light with a few floats and shot, either trotting or touch legering. Are there any chub in the free stretch around the Ice Rink, Sands areas and if so, have i got the methods right? I was going to take a few lobs, some cheesepaste and bread... depending whether the river is up and colloured or low and clear respectively... Any hints would be useful. Thanks Dan

yes, thanks... unsurprisingly, i had googled it. Partridge of redditch email address bounces back (i emailed them direct on friday) and i coudnt find any clear link to a stockist. Thanks for the ted carter tip off.

guys - does anyone know where i might be able to get some of the above from? Stockists seem rare! thanks

I've just taken delivery of some 10lb fox carboflex wire, which includes some of their crimps. Its very imprssive, fine diameter and carbon coated which means it feels - and looks - like 8/10lb maxima... although obviously wire! I'm going to use it on the zander, but i reckon it would work for perch too.

Dales - How did you get on?

I fished half roach on one rod and sprat on the other. never got so much as a twitch on the sprat, but had dropped run after dropped run on the roach - plus the little one i caught... not really a scientific test, but put it this way, i'll be fishing roach on both rods next time i go...

Thanks Budgie, very helpful. I have ordered some 'parts' off ebay for my lightweight drop off indicatiors and i'll report back! I've also bought some NAsh run rings and i am going to fish slack lines... I'll report back!

Interesting comments guys. My roach baits were coming back 'pricked' which suggests i was getting them stabbed, but the resistence was putting them off. The one i caught showed only as a single beep with a line twitch which i struck at, mainly out of frustration! The venue is not known for its eels, so i think i was suffering from a series of dropped runs. Think i will make some light weight drop offs and fish slack lines to see if i can convert more. Definitely going back soon... much as i hate the frustration, its also bizarrely like a rubix cube... you just want to solve the puzzle! one of the joys of fishing!

Hi guys, i had an infuriating session at bury hill last week. Everytime i cast in i got little beeps, none of which turned into 'a run'. I was fishing running leger with light 10lb fox carboflex wire, size 2 super specialist hook (single) and roach head as bait. I caught one fish of about 4lb (picture attached), but wanted to ask the team whether anyone ever experienced this and, if so, should i have struck at the little beeps and dips/rises of the bobbins? Alternatively, was there anything i could have done to further minimise resistence? I was using quite standard hangers as bobbins, plus bite alarm. Any thoughts, tips or tactics would be appreciated. cheers, dan

Thanks very much for that... know what you mean about dodgyness - its not the best bit of town. I might give it a go later in the year - its ten minutes from my house. I've got a valid EA licence obviously, and if anyone pulls me over i'll offer my apologies and join. It looks like there could be a few perch n pike to have a go at...

Hi all - I wondered whether anyone knew a) if there were any fish in this stretch and who controls the fishing? I half fancied flicking a lure around, but only if it has fish! Thanks

Any ideas much appreciated - I will travel further if neccessary? Thanks, Dan

Hi all - just wondered whether anyone could give me any tips for a stillwater or river day ticket 10-15 mins from Durham centre that are worth trying. Still water preferable as i'd probably just grab a couple of hours if possible. Thanks, Dan

Thanks John - I go on thursday until following tuesday so will report back. When you say the pier, do you mean the one close to the mouth of the harbour, or were you actually in the marina - i know there is a sewer overflow actually in the harbour?! I thought you weren't allowed to fish there, although i have seen the mullet and bass patrolling round there. Going to take some floats, lures etc and see how i get on for a few hours.

Pete I finally made the decision to go to Higham farm. The going was very slow - one rod legered pellet, the other float fished sweetcorn. I was also tossing in the occassional dog biscuit. At lunch time, a carp decided to start taking the mixers and following swapping my legered pellet for a rubber mixer and controller, I was rewarded with this 13lb mirror - lovely golden colour - in great condition. Then, as quick as it came, nothing again. Not one more dip of the float or buzz on the bite alalrm and no more cruising fish... still, more than pleased. I think anyone thinking of going should be aware that at the moment its muddier than the somme and I think i'll be waiting until it gets a bit drier to head back... particularly after spending this morning hosing ALL my gear down, due to it being covered in clay! Thanks Dan

Further to my last post, I'm looking for somewhere to catch a few fish near Sheffield. Dont want to go to Barlow Fisheries (it's overated and all the fish seem to have deformed mouths as they have been caught so much) and i've heard Higham might have gone down hill (lack of toilets and a strange baliff?). Someone mentioned KJS at Killamarsh might be worth a try. Used to fish at Harlesthorpe Dam, but not sure if this is worth a go or not? Looking for somewhere with a few carp, tench, bream etc... not concerned about size really - just somewhere to go and get a few bites on easter weekend. Thanks Dan

I'm heading back to see my parents next weekend up in Sheffield and i remember fishing at Higham 15 years ago. It was great then. On one visit, I had 10 or so carp to 15lbs on floating dog biscuits when I was 13... down hill since then! A few questions for anyone in the know: a) Is it still open? Does it still operate day tickets? c) Any rules I should know about? d) Does it still fish well? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks Dan

I have tried these out - sea fishing - and the best one is the 'semi sink'. Basically, it sinks slowly (its just below neutral buoyancy) and gives you loads of weight to send a small soft plastic bait a very long distance. I have used them for bass with a long leader and have caught bass, mackeral and strange bream varieties in the med. I would have thought they'd be brilliant for spinning small lures for perch and they clearly work for Trout. A very intersting bit of kit, in my view.

Thanks much appreciated - the licence system looks pretty simple. I have a few rapalas and soft bait lures to try for bass from the pier/rocks, plus some smaller floats etc for mullet if they show up. Trying to keep tackle down to a minimum as i'm sneaking it into the suitcase!