Anderoo

Vagabond, the Neville Fickling bracket I linked to in the above post fits the AW boats fine. Much cheaper than a whole new fishfinder! I used the suction cup for a couple of years and it was pretty good. However there's no place to stick it at the back of the boat and so you have to stick it along the side, which means when you're motoring around it did sometimes come loose. Not a major problem, but if it happened a lot it got a bit annoying. The bracket is a better solution, as long as it fits the boat...!

The only other thing you'd need is a battery (I use a 12V 7ah yuasa), a battery charger, and a box to put the battery in to keep it dry and to attach the fishfinder to the top of, so it's nice and neat and portable. I use a heavy duty tupperware type box with a sturdy clip-on lid. E.g.: (Tigger included just for glamour )

I got one of these, which are new this year: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Humminbird-HELIX-5-DI-Down-Image-Sonar-Fishfinder-TM-Transducer-/351444828836?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item51d3be82a4 If you buy a new fishfinder make sure it comes with the transducer, many (esp on ebay) seem cheap but don't have the transducer included... I've been playing with it in simulation mode and really like it - LOADS more information and cool settings than my old basic one! I've wanted a down imaging one for a couple of years but could never justify the price, but these new ones have suddenly made it much more affordable. Having said that I did use my old one for several years and it served us very well. It was one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LUND-1984684-HUMMINBIRD-PIRANHAMAX-160-OEM-160X128-BOAT-FISHFINDER-407230-8-/400950450412?hash=item5d5a8258ec If you don't want to buy an arm for the transducer (e.g. http://www.thetackle-shop.co.uk/section93/Boat-Fishing/product1268/Transducer-Bracket-With-5.html) you can get a suction cup holder instead - the transducer is attached to the suction cup and then you just stick it to the outside of the boat (http://www.pecheur.com/en/gb/buy-fixing-suction-cup-for-back-fishfinder-humminbird-table-66194.html?af=393329&gclid=CLPvg4fu88YCFQX3wgodVHQDBg)

Yes, a big handicap - I have a spare I can lend out this year as I've just bought myself a shiny new down imaging one

At some point soon I'll add more info about the fishing, what you need, etc - last year's topic should help but ended up being quite long! Feel free to leave any questions here. Edit - 1st post updated

Midweek worked better last year so let's try that again. That also means it'll be less busy. Could you please reply here with any days in oct you definitely can't make? I'll then start a list of people and we can choose a day (or days!). Ta

As per last year I have a rod + reel and lures I can lend to anyone who wants to come but doesn't have any of the gear. I also have a spare drogue I can lend out to another boat, and this year also a spare fishfinder I can lend to another boat. And this year I will definitely try to come to the post event dinner!

Show of hands please for people interested in a day lure fishing for zander at Rutland reservoir in October If enough people fancy it we can agree on a day and I'll get it arranged. Last year's topic is here: http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/5975726-zander-fish-in-october/?fromsearch=1 UPDATE Dates 1. Friday 9 October 2. Friday 23 October Who's coming Anderoo Kappa JV44 Rusty Steve Walker Tigger Matthew Simmons Alex Rob Ward + mate Errrm Directions Copy this into Google Maps and it'll show you where the entrance to the lodge and marina is: 52.641071,-0.625802 When you get there Press at the barrier for a ticket to let you in. Follow the road down to the right, the marina and lodge is then down on your left. There are a few parking spots down by the boats, if those are full there are plenty of others nearby. Make sure you take your parking ticket into the lodge when getting your fishing ticket - they will swap it for a token which lets you leave at the exit barrier later (so the parking is free). Boat bookings and payment All boats will be booked under my name but you will need to pay on the day in the lodge. The cost of boat hire plus predator permit for 2 anglers sharing a boat is £60, so £30 each. When paying for your boat you'll be asked to provide a mobile number in cases of emergencies. Life jackets are mandatory and are provided for free. Times The lodge opens at 8am, so I suggest met all meet by the lodge at about 7.30am. The fishing is until dusk, which changes as the days get shorter. I guess about 6pm in early October, but we'll be told on the day. We can arrange a time on the day to meet back at the lodge and debrief! Post-event social TBC! Boat partners Anderoo + Tigger Rob Ward + mate Kappa + Steve Walker JV44 + Rusty Alex + Matthew Simmons Errrm A quick summary of what you'll need - rod - a proper vertical jigging rod is best but a short, light, stiff spinning rod will do - line - thin braid is essential, i.e.8-10lb PP - lures - standard lures are 5" paddle tail or fork tail rubber shads on 30g, 40g, or 50g jig heads (depending on how windy it is) and an optional stinger of a small treble hook on a short length of wire - see post #73 here for more info: http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/5975726-zander-fish-in-october/page-8 - leader/trace material - if fishing for zander you can use flourocarbon (I use 12lb flouro) but you can use wire if you prefer. If pike fishing, you have to use wire - waterproofs - food and drink for the day - something comfy to sit on (e.g. unhooking mat) and some way of stop it blowing away (e.g. bungie cords) - if you burn easily, sunblock - a drogue per boat (I have 1 spare) - ideally a fishfinder per boat (I have 1 spare) - unhooking tools - not essential, but H block markers can be useful to mark the start of drifts etc. Releasing deep-water zander Please see post #74 here for information about how to release zander caught from deep water (very important): http://www.anglersne...-october/page-8 The AN Zander Cup Thanks to Rusty, the AN Zander Cup will be awarded to the captor of the longest zander on the day (unless it's JV44). AW website Finally, a link to the website with the rules etc.: http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/leisure/water-parks/rutland/fishing/pike-fishing.aspx

I don't care about any of that, I want to see a photo! Congrats

People said exactly the same thing about zander, which have also settled very well into the Severn, and it just never happened! For the record I have no interest in catching river catfish. I just know that if I'd caught it accidentally, I would have returned it. Anyone know if the Severn offers suitable spawning habitat for wells? It might just be too cold for the species to do well (unlike the Ebro).

When the Thames flooded badly in 2007 some recognisable carp got in from the local Oxford gravel pits. Not long later, some were caught in Surrey. The Severn is the longest river in England, that catfish could have got in from anywhere. I've fished the Severn from a boat with a fishfinder, and some of the bream shoals are so vast it's hard to describe. I can't see how any fish, even one that size, could ever make even the finest dent in them.

Well, there are apparently still fish in the Severn so I expect it'll be ok... If I stuck to the rules I'd be having to cart around and bury about 500 zander every season. Even if I did that, what difference would it make? It doesn't actually matter does it? I wouldn't want to knock the life out of a huge, amazing creature after an epic battle just because it's in the rules. If it was a little village pond then, ok maybe a catfish would need relocating. But in the Severn? It's probably been there for decades already.

Why?

'Study the habitat, work out where the fish are and then, if possible, get them to bite. If you fish well, you'll probably catch a fish; and if you don't catch one, you'll still have the satisfaction of having fished well.' Absolutely spot on!

I've had a couple of crucian sessions over the last 3 weeks and have finally caught some on the float close in, which has been really great. My last session at the weekend wasn't as productive as the previous one but I managed 3 good crucians on the float before the tench and little carp raided the swim. So exciting to see them bubbling and porpoising in the swim This was the biggest one (3lb 7oz): There's a float near the lillies somewhere... A lovely way to spend a summer's day.

3 really nice crucians here on the float and another big one lost at the net, biggest 3.07 Then the tench and little carp moved in, which was 'entertaining' on the light gear but not what I was after!

Rusty, just read your blog post, there is a very easy way to set the CD rig up so it's adjustable. Hope this makes sense, if not I have several made up and ready to go at home and I could try to take a photo: Pat link is 8lb stiff (cheap!) flouro. Starting at top end and working down - 1. ring swivel with mainline running through the large ring (this is the best thing I found for free running on the mainline, large bore plastic rings are OK but after a while the mainline cuts a groove in them and then they can jam up). 2. Pat link tied to end of ring swivel. 3. Anti-tangle sleeve pushed over swivel. 4. Float rubber on pat link. 5. Clear sub surface float on pat link. 6. Second float rubber on pat link to hold float in position. 7. Loop at the end of pat link. 8. Weak link of mono tied to loop. 9. Lead tied onto weak link, heavy enough so that it won't move when a fish takes. Make the pat link long enough, and you can slide the float up and down to fish the bait at different depths. I tend to make mine a standard length of about 5-6ft, which can be extended easily if need be by making the weak link at the bottom longer, or cut down if required. I have several tied up and ready to go (plus several hooklengths which are swivel > anti-tangle sleeve > 6lb stiff flouro> size 6 or 4 hook) so it's very quick to get fishing. The baits can sometimes pull the bobbin up - this shows how free running it is! You'll soon see what a real bite looks like, they are usually very deliberate. If the odd pike comes along don't worry about it. You'll land most of them anyway, and if you do get bitten off it will be very, very occasional and nothing to worry about with a small single hook. Keep us posted!

I had a bream of about 5lb wallop a 5" shad on a jig head while vertical jigging from a boat on the Severn. I've also seen Rich catch one on a similar lure, also vertical jigging, from deep water at Rutland - that one was getting on for double figures!

If it's breaking near the knot but not at the knot it's not the knot

Is the line snapping at the loop knot? If so, tie the swivel on the same as the hook, e.g. a palomar. If the line is snapping somewhere in the middle, the fault is with the line.

It's the usual summer doldrums for me, but in a nice relaxing and enjoyable way. I don't currently have any big ambitions or obsessions and am spending my time floater fishing for carp in the evenings (very exciting, especially when they're close in by your own bank and in the lillies!) and fishing for crucians at weekends (a semi-obsession, and really enjoyable especially now I've had a few good fish on the float). Or, like last weekend, no fishing at all! I had the ultra light lure obsession earlier in the year but now it's summer that's subsided, ready to be picked up again in the autumn. Before the weather got properly warm I had a few very enjoyable days at Farmoor with Steve Walker catching really good sized and conditions rainbow trout on floating lines, small nymphs and dry flies. So much fun I haven't felt the urge to get out on the rivers yet, I'm waiting for rain and flow before bothering. Around here they are usually a big disappointment early in the season. I'd rather be sitting by a pretty pool with lilly pads watching a float for crucians

This is why I'm currently fishing for crucians...!

Something is very wrong! With good knots (palomar, uni/grinner, figure of 8 if using a loop) it should be very hard to snap 4lb or 5lb line, in fact almost impossible by bending into it with a rod even if the drap on your reel is set fairly tight. If you are using eyed hooks, a good knot, a softi enough rod (i.e. not a powerful carp rod), and have the reel drag set so it gives line before the line snaps, the only thing left is that the hooklength material itself is no good. However, on the Thames I use 3lb Drennan Supplex when fishing for bream and have never had it snap on a fish. Maybe a bad batch? Just a thought, if you are using a palomar to tie on the hook, how are you connecting the other end of the hooklength to your mainline?

On a serious note, for several years I did most of my fishing in Kent as it offered something I couldn't find closer to home. If your local fishing really doesn't suit you, get in the car and travel elsewhere. A couple of hours isn't that long if you value what's at the other end. In more recent years I've been doing trips of almost 2 hours each way two or three times a week to get up to Rutland in the autumn for the vertical jigging.

In the last few weeks I have caught plenty of perch and zander on lures from canals, good perch on legered and float fished lobs from a local club lake, rudd, perch, roach and a decent bream from a local gravel pit on maggot feeder, several good crucians from a club lake on little method feeders and on the float, plenty of carp to nearly 20lb on floaters from a club lake, lots of trout from a reservoir on little nymphs and dries, a few good tench from a gravel pit, and probably other things I can't remember right now. I haven't even ventured out on the rivers yet but there so much good stuff in store there too! So I don't agree that the fishing in the SE is dead - sounds more like someone has taken a blank rather too badly