Recent content by Mark Thompson

Sunday afternoon in a new swim. Absolutly nothing for 5 hours then fluked a lovely 7lber and whilst unhoooking it other rod went off ! Second one had time to bury itself in thick weed , made some ground on it but after a brief tussle line went solid and broke off. Popped up corn worked ,,( or...

Just the one today , a 7lb warrior. Carp crashing around spawning. Tried Avon skin oil Dereck thanks but got bitten on the walk to the lake ! Plastered myself with citronella which did the trick. Never had this problem before at this lake.

At last we are off the mark. Sunday afternoon session for 3 nice tench, first and best 8lb 7oz all on corn Plus a 13Lb Common last knockings, was a battle but fun. Got savaged by mosquitos all day !

4th Blank for me, without a bite. No fizzing , just one or two fish topping. Water margins smelling funny ? Gravel pit , Should I be fishing shallower areas or deeper at 8 -14ft ?? Not been for couple weeks, away last weekend and this .

My lake very slow also despite a few fish showing. 3rd session without a bite. Even tried maggot feeder ! However the day was saved when a male and I believe a female cuckoo both flew across just in front of me singing. Often heard in spring at this lake but never seen one before.

2 afternoon sessions at my tench lake so far , not so much as a bite.. Just not in the area methinks, so change of swim next time. So nice to hear the cuckoos though.

Hi Richard ,,or any one that knows about the Diawa Emcast reel Bought a pair of these used reels for pit winter pike fishing from e bay ,they are well used I reckon but hopefully should do the job. So of the two one of them does not lay the line completely over all of the spool, the other reel...

I have a coat Berghaus Gore tex 3 layer about £120 from memory 2 or 3 years old and had a fair amount of use. Was great but now after about 1-2 hours of rain, it comes thro , shoulders first and I get wet ! Didnt think that was supposed to happen ? Made in Vietnam , no reference to HH rating...

Cheers Richard. Are you the guy that knows about Diawa Emcast reels ?

Out of interest.. Which is meant to be more suited for pike,,, the really cold spell we have just had or the warmer spell immediatly after ? I fish a 6m deep gravel pit or does it not really matter. Its a given overcast weather is deemed suitable whatever temps.

Thanks men. Need to avoid pesky rudd so worm prob not viable. Will be sure to try some pink peeled ones soon. Also a shrimp or two.

I am trying a new water and not sure exactly what it holds apart from tench. If using prawns as a bait for a tench ,,,or maybe perch I wondered if there is favourite,,, fresh uncooked shell on, fresh peeled uncooked, cooked pink peeled ones or does it really not matter ? Can small shrimps work...

Rod 1.75lb is IMO yes too heavy but braid should be fine. Ray Walton 11ft rod is the kit I use. 1. 3lb tc from memory and reasonably light but specifically designed for the job There is a art to sinking the "weight" or meat and having the correct amount of line out to move the bait but feel the...

2lb+ Rudd sounds like a big fish to me, well done you fellas. About time Mr Rudd got some interest imo. I believe rudd are the often overlooked species but are really something special once of size. I fish a large lake that may hold big rudd, no one knows. There are plenty of pesky small rudd...