Andy Thatcher

I fished a similar sized pond this year for cats and they have reached 20lb. As there was a head of carp I used squid on a size 1 T6 using a 5" hair and a 2ft hooklength. Even then a 15lb mirror managed to get itself hooked fairly ! Great fun but night fishing is really the best time for them.

How many do you want ? If you are determined to get a fish out of this tarn ? Eh what is a tarn ? Anyway here are a couple of methods. Use single hookbaits with NO freebies and recast every 2 hours until you have covered your swim. Guess what you do next time you visit ? Bingo different swim until you find them. If you haven't got the confidence to use just your hookbait use a very small pva bag with pellets of the same flavour/type as your hookbait. For example I would use Essential Shellfish B5 hookbait so use the pellets from the same range. I'd rather use a pellet made from basemix etc than the usual trouties when it gets cold. If you see any movement that might be a fish cast to it, immediately ! Just this little rule has caught lots and lots of carp for me.

Toughie ! For carp definitely Essential's Shellfish B5 for barbel a toss up between Big Red and LT Milk again by Essential.

When do we get to cross your hand with folding stuff to rejoin Elton ?

If you are I am going to be on the Match Lake.

Well said that man.

See you on the Match Lake Colin, booked it as soon as the form came out. I'll be there with Rich again and you again it seems. I'll see if we can find a spare bivvy I think Rich has one.

Dreaded trout. Not a lot you can do to avoid these I am afraid they usually take anything and everything. To target the larger roach you could give breadflake a go on a larger hook. You'll have to experiment as every water seems to be different but start at a 10 and go up to say 6. Sounds horrendous I know but if they are on flake they will bite. As regards perch you'll have to wade through the trout to get to them as everything a perch takes so do trout. Good luck !

Danny's spot on with his advice. You see the occasional perch in the margins at Startops but so rarely I'm not certain it is worth a go. See you up there from March !

Have a look here

Thankyou for your suggestions good people !

Thankyou for your suggestions good people !

Here's a question for those who use Digital Camera's. Who would you recommend for getting hardcopies of your pictures ? I have about 80 from Egypt that she whom should be obeyed seems insistant on having printed.

Here's a question for those who use Digital Camera's. Who would you recommend for getting hardcopies of your pictures ? I have about 80 from Egypt that she whom should be obeyed seems insistant on having printed.

It is illegal to move, harm or disturb any wild birds nest's between March and June or July. Knowingly or not. To do so and be found guilty would involve a rather large fine so watch your feet.

It is illegal to move, harm or disturb any wild birds nest's between March and June or July. Knowingly or not. To do so and be found guilty would involve a rather large fine so watch your feet.

Don't believe a word of the above post; tackle tart end of story ! I can prove I'm not though ! Still using 8-9 year old Delkims, 12 year old Baitrunners, 7 year old GTM'sand quite a few other examples. See now so not a tackle tart. More of a shabby tackle tart I guess fits best [ 28 March 2002, 11:26 PM: Message edited by: Andy Thatcher ]

Don't believe a word of the above post; tackle tart end of story ! I can prove I'm not though ! Still using 8-9 year old Delkims, 12 year old Baitrunners, 7 year old GTM'sand quite a few other examples. See now so not a tackle tart. More of a shabby tackle tart I guess fits best [ 28 March 2002, 11:26 PM: Message edited by: Andy Thatcher ]

Sorry the reason for the change is that I want to look at the alternatives rather than blindly carrying on. I have added flavours and Robin Red to the mix from time to time. Essentials Shellfish B5 is one I am looking at. Just love that plum tone. I'm going to fish it against the 8 next week just to see.

I'll admit something to you. Shhh keep it a secret, promise ? While I ring the changes often for other species I have been using Activ 8 for carp for ermm I don't know how long! As long as it first came out. I have always been happy with it as it meets my needs. Which are - Consistency of manufacture. I keep the last few ounces of mix from every bag just to compare it to the new bag/bucket. You'll be amazed at how often the new mix has only a pssing resemblance from what has previously been sold under the same name. Not with Mainline. Easy to roll. Easy to source it. Every bait maker does it. It is a rare day when a carp won't give you a chance when using it. What would you suggest as a replacement ?

There was a 11.4 out of the Ivel 3 weeks ago. Not bad for a 'ickle river !

There was a 11.4 out of the Ivel 3 weeks ago. Not bad for a 'ickle river !

Your right. Mainly between MK and Bedford as the cliche goes. Some fun barbel bits of the Lea though around Wheathampstead and Hertford to name two.

Your right. Mainly between MK and Bedford as the cliche goes. Some fun barbel bits of the Lea though around Wheathampstead and Hertford to name two.

Funny I ain't seen one of them at Leslies