Anderoo

I still prefer Steve W's hookless method

Where's dales when you need him! I couldn't say how effective bolt v running rig is for them but they will definitely get caught on bolt rigs. The main benefit is the lip hooking - I just used to hold their heads up out of the water and roll the hooks out with forceps.

I'm not sure zander fit that generalisation. In my experience, despite being a predator, they are often extremely finicky and cautious. Very often the case with big perch too.

I've had plenty of eels at wingham on bolt rigs - all lip hooked and a doddle to unhook. They were all accidents while bream/tench fishing using fake baits and smallish hooks (usually size 12-10). I'm sure real animal baits would result in more of them. I did all I could to avoid them

Bolt rigs aren't a 100% success rate btw!

I was doing that just last weekend - great fun

Ha, yes I've caught decent crucians over the last few years with little bolt rigs, I've also caught them on the float - catching them on the float was more fun but it's not always an option. My biggest 2 roach were also on the float and most of the other better fish on a running balanced feeder and quivertip, but again I don't see why I should limit myself to those methods. If others prefer to, fine with me

There are circumstances where more traditional methods are just not worth the effort.

Probably spawning, this time of year.

Yes, on stillwaters - were you on a river? I don't think the method I described would work on flowing water, I'd then be looking to fish upstream with a balanced feeder and quivertip. It can only produce drop-backs really. The line is bowstring tight, the bobbin is very heavy and clipped onto the tight line right by the rod. When the roach picks up the bait it either hooks itself against the weight of the feeder or the tight line, and the heavy bobbin takes up the slack and keeps tension on the line as the fish moved away. It's not foolproof, sometimes you get a jangle on the bobbin where the fish hasn't hooked itself. But for those times where you're getting bites on more conventional methods that you just can't hit, it's definitely more productive. It works with all sizes, but seems to work better as the fish get bigger. The bites are very dramatic - worth a go for that alone!

I've been messing around with the helicopter bolt rigs for roach/rudd for a couple of summers now, in an attempt to convert short, snatchy bites into fish. I ended up using a heavier feeder than that, 30g I think. I first started with popped up maggots but found I got a lot more bites with bottom baits. The trick seems to be keeping a very tight line between the feeder and the rod top, which is easiest by pointing the rod at the rig and using a very heavy bobbin right up by the rod, and fish for drop backs. Very exciting when it's working!

I now use quite a bit of stuff that was designed for commercial style fishing - landing nets and handles, hooks, little flat bed method feeders, braids. Just ignore the marketing, assess in terms of qualities and function, and there's plenty of good stuff out there. It doesn't matter if you don't feel like you fit in. I 'fit in' on the rivers because no-one else fishes them - everywhere else I'm usually the exception. It doesn't matter. Unless it bothers you that much, in which case you are too far gone. Get yourself some jigging gear and driving gloves and get down to Rutland in the autumn

I'm afraid I bailed too - I felt like I was fishing well but after a blank 24hrs and worsening conditions I took advantage in a break in the weather and packed up in the dry before the BBQ. I feel a bit bad about leaving early but I hate the cold and especially the rain now I'm an old man Well done to those who caught and who will catch tonight/tomorrow. I'm especially pleased rusty had that 3lb perch as I can claim it too (see previous legal statement). It was really great to catch up with everyone though and that alone made the trip more than worthwhile. The auction was good too, I'm glad my books have found new homes. Thanks as always Steve for the invite and sorry I couldn't scratch anything out of a good swim. Thanks too to Peggy for another great BBQ and for the bailiffs for the usual services. Good luck to all that have stayed on!

As jv rightly points out, as per previously agreed rules both rusty and I can claim the 3lb perch

Can't find it have to man up, which I really try not to do.

All set here too. Alarm set for a thoroughly unreasonable 4am.

I think I'll be packing my hot water bottle

I'm just concerned that rich's lure habit has got so bad that he can give away that many and still not make a dent in the stock pile!

Good!

Are we expecting the Burgess boys and Elton this year? Haven't seen them in ages...

BTW this is where I check weather for Wingham: https://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=ramsgate&MR=1 It seems to be a bit more accurate than the Met Office, and looking at Ramsgate rather than CT3 means the sea winds are better accounted for (tip from Glyn a few years ago).

It goes without saying that any double figure tench caught as a result of such collaboration can be claimed by both participants

I've had plenty of eels on fake corn...very good chance on worm or maggot, especially overnight!

Let's see - 3 tench rods, 2 perch rods, 1 spare, spod and marker - I'm on 8 too

I tried a day at Johnsons recently for the crucians but blanked in style - it was really quite cold and apart from the odd fish coming out after dark it seemed like nothing was doing. Looking forward to Wingham at the weekend Apart from that no, I'm hoping some warmer weather comes along soon, followed by some decent fly hatches and some troot fishing. Nice one Mat, what time of day were the perch?