3 hour’s drive and a change of venue.

Posted on October 27, 2021 by richardhandel

One social over and another one begins.

Richard

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10 Winter Carp Fishing Tips

Posted on October 26, 2021 by richardhandel

Winter fishing can be hard work for the everyday angler.  I am a firm believer that the more you are at the lake, either fishing or just walking round Summer or Winter.  This surely has to help you catch more fish.  However, this is made harder in the Winter due to the shorter days.  The average angler (like myself), who has a full time office job, has no chance to get out around the lake, as I would normaly do in the Spring.  In the Summer months I only tend to fish a quick night (12hr session), there is not a lot of time to spot any signs of fish and by using the below tips, I have found it a great help over the Winter months.

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Winter Tips

  • Walk around the lake as much as possible (if you can)
  • Sharp hooks (all year round rule)
  • Location, Location, Location (all year round tip)
  • Not too much bait
  • Keep a dairy of previous year’s results/location
  • Fish over dead pads
  • Fish by snags
  • Fish near reeds beds
  • Keep away from those cold easterly winds
  • Get friendly with a fellow member who fishes during the day (pool your information)
  • Keep your ears on the lake even in the dark, you never know you may hear a fish.
  • Keep your eyes on the water – on clear calm night, you may just spot a fish
  • Less boilies, more stick mix type of baiting up
  • Plenty of attraction, not too much food
  • Tiny amounts of pre-baiting (Small handfuls of bait, scattered around the lake)

The above tips will hopefully help you to keep one step ahead of the rest.  The real hard part I find with Winter fishing is having to set up in the dark & pack up in the dark.

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If I am luckly, I may get there just in time to see last light and sometimes I am able to stay till first light.  Even if this means I am pushing the barrow around the lake, I will always keep my eyes and ears open (alert to any fishy sign’s) as this could be the key to a great Winter.

If you are lucky enough to have a friend who also fishes, but preferably not at the same time as you.  You can pool you information/knowledge.

If I am really stuck for options, I sometimes set up a swim which will give me the best view of the lake.  If I wake up in the night, I will put the kettle on and have a brew and watch the lake of an hour. Hard work, however, if you spot that fish. It could make a bad Winter into the best Winter you have ever had.

Till  next time

Richard

2572

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Road Trip Time

Posted on October 25, 2021 by richardhandel

Been to long

It’s been a far few year’s since I been here, but it’s nice to be back in my home county.

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Life support for air dried freezer

Posted on October 24, 2021 by richardhandel

*** Life support for air dried freezer ***🚑
We all have to air dry freezer bait at some point if we travel or with few of us having large chest freezers at home. A sure fire way to deliver the flavour, goodness and attractors back into your boilies is to use our method ready bait soaks. Unlike food dips as these are not glycerine based, they penetrate the boilies quickly rejuvenating colour and aroma. Just squirt all over an hour before you need them on the bank and they will be as good as new.
May be an image of text that says 'Method Classic Bait Soak Ready Corn CCMTHRDB'

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Keeping Warm In Your Bivvy

Posted on October 23, 2021 by richardhandel

I have been fishing winter nights since the mid-80s and I am so glad that the tackle industry started to revolutionize, it was very bleak and cold in those days.  My feet still feel the cold a lot and I am sure it down to those days.

I have put together a list of ways to improve your time on the bank in your bivvy.  I am still working on keeping warm outside the bivvy!  I am sure that’s also down to, to many winter piking days in wellies and inadequate clothing.

1. Always use a ground sheet and even in the summer, damp rises.

2. Use an old piece of carpet or a thermal blanket under you bedchair

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3. With modern bivvy/brolly systems, there is a skirt then you can tuck under the groundsheet.

4. Use items of luggage as an insulation around this area of the Bivvy e.g rod bag, rod sleeves bags etc, this will help keep the draft out and even more insulation on the ground.

5. Also with modern brolly/bivvy use the door letterbox style and don’t open from the bottom up.  Tuck the flap under the groundsheet and make sure the zips are full down.

6. Use a bivvy mat or any old door mat.

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This all helps to keep you warm through those hard winter days.

Hope this helps

Richard

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