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I always look forward to trips on my local Southern Syndicate Lake. After arriving I completed my standard few laps of the lake and after seeing a few fish I decided to start off in one of the main swims called Armchair. It was a cloudy day and there was a lovely South Westerly [...]
I really don’t know where this year has gone, but as I write this it seems the summer is nearly over and we are into autumn. As far as my fishing has gone, I haven’t done that much and until recently it’s all been a bit of a struggle. I started off in March [...]
It had been a while since I had managed to get the rods out, it’s been a really busy time starting up my own IT support and Consultancy company and spending time with the family. I was itching to get the rods out and I managed to take the Friday afternoon off work and [...]
Why walk your rods out over using marker sticks? Is there really any significant difference? All you’re doing with either method is measuring out the range to a clip in a controlled way so that you can repeat it and gain metronomic consistency with your casting range… Hit the clip – down she goes [...]
It would be quite true to say that my results for the time and effort I’ve been putting in haven’t been great in the last couple of months. The impression that most anglers seem have – based on the snap shot assumptions built up from seeing loads of cheeses in the press, is that [...]
Leadcore materials have been popular as a means of disguising the last few feet of line since the 90’s (how time flies) and in that time these products have evolved from the base lead wire trolling lines we used to refined leader materials that are perfect for carp and specialist anglers requirements. Whilst we [...]
After losing four fish on the trot during different sessions on my local syndicate due to various forms of bad luck, I was itching to settle to the score and land another fish from the venue before the carp decided to spawn. I spent a day searching for them and I finally located a number of [...]
I haven't managed an awful lot of fishing this month, but feel I haven't done too bad during the short spells I have spent on the bank. At the beginning of the month I was without my rods as they were with Kev at Hampshire Custom Rods being re-built and given some much needed [...]
I arrived at my syndicate water early last Wednesday morning and after a quick walk round, it was very noticeable where the carp were held up. The groups of fish had started to get bigger and bigger and this could only mean one thing with the water temperature still rising that spawning time was [...]
Browsing an angling forum recently I noticed a few posts asking for help and advice regarding the rolling of boilies for the first time. Many a seasoned angler will already be familiar with the art of creating a bespoke carp or barbel bait, but what of the relative newcomer to the undeniably confusing world [...]
The Yateley Split lake is located on the West side of the Yateley Complex sandwiched between the Pads, the North and the Car Park lake and is definitely the most mysterious and unchartered water on this side of the road. Nobody seems to know exactly how many or what is resident within the lake. [...]
A rare opportunity presented itself where I had a few days off work during the week. With the weather forecast set to be wet and windy (and with my syndicate lakes being closed) I decided I was going to go on a bit of a day ticket mission in search of some 30lb+ fish. [...]
Surface fishing for carp, on its day it can be the most productive, frustrating, rewarding and exciting form of fishing we can do. Whether targeting a big shoal of fish that have been whipped into a feeding frenzy by careful and constant baiting or identifying a lone fish of specimen size, surface fishing is [...]
Over the last few weeks I have managed to get out on the bank and do a few sessions. Sometimes I have turned up and the lake has been rammed and I’ve had to wait for a move if I couldn't get on the fish when I arrived. Often watching and waiting patiently, [...]
The one aspect I love about carp fishing is staying versatile and ringing the changes. Fishing to different situations and conditions, always staying ahead of the game and making sure the bites keep coming. One session I will never forget is a 24 hour trip I experienced few weeks back, when I landed 11 [...]
I count myself lucky. Very lucky. Why? Because my wife is understanding. Very understanding… If she wasn’t then I would be single on the basis that, like most my contemporaries, I am a thoroughly obsessive compulsive carp angler. When you have a wife and kids this selfish past time can cause a few problems [...]
Since my early days in carp fishing, I've had a passion for carp and the history of the carp angling. It’s anglers such as Pete Springate and Ritchie McDonald that have been such a big inspiration to me. I fell in love with the UK style of fishing and the historic venues such as [...]
Well spring is finally here and April has been a busy month for me with two tuition clients a magazine feature and a couple of trips out fishing for myself. My first trip of the month was with Philip Hutin who booked a 24 hour tutorial with me to improve on some of the [...]
I recently enjoyed a great trip to the Blue Pool at Burghfield. During the session forty eight hour session I managed to land eight fish, including seven twenties. The jewel in the crown was a lovely mirror which tipped the scales at 40lb 8oz. I was accompanied by young gun and fellow Gardner Tackle [...]
After driving to Norfolk to meet up with my good friend Rob from Carp Fishing Trips, we were soon making the five hour journey through France. We were booked on a 74 acre lake known as Madagascar. It’s a lovely picturesque venue with islands, lily pads and shallow bars – a real carp paradise [...]
