Was back out with my grandad today on our local commercial that’s been the scene of our recent sessions over the last few weekends. Was certainly a different prospect today as whilst the previous sessions had seen air temperatures of 11-12 degrees and water temperatures 7-8 degrees both only hovered around the 6 degree mark today. But it was sunny and calm again so worth a go we thought. Seemed others had been put off by the cold as the place was deserted so we picked the same sunny swim of last weekends sessions as with the cold you needed all the sun you could get! The cold certainly slowed things up in the morning but normal service was resumed in the afternoon so was another good session.

Started fishing about 9 and fished about 4 and in that time I had 10 fairly typical commercial carp, 8 decent skimmers, 6 small perch, 2 small rudd and I’d guess about 45 respectable roach...

‘A reel good design’ - new fishing rod licence images released​

Brand new licence images have been designed and created by artist David Miller.

From: Environment Agency Published: 5 March 2021



The 2-rod coarse and trout licence features David Miller's illustration of a golden rudd.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched new fishing rod licence designs ahead of another popular fishing season.
The new images, designed by artist David Miller, are now available to all anglers looking to renew their licences and to newcomers who are looking to join the sport for the first time. The images this year celebrate some of our most iconic species. The salmon...

Going back 20 years ago I was really into my match fishing. Out 2-3 times a week on evening matches and weekends fishing opens, winter leagues and club matches. Then a house project followed by marriage and 2 kids came along so my gear had not seen the light of day really for a good 10+ years. Decided to get my old Boss Box out the garage at the weekend as was invited out to a local club lake with a friend. To my surprise I located a float tube that’s dated 2009 full of old Mick Wilkinson floats that never made them onto winders! Having a quick look around it looks like these are now sold under the Guru brand ? Take it MW floats are still as popular as ever ? Not even sure some of these designs are still made but as the weather warms up I’m looking forward to getting some of these back on a winder to see if they still go under !

Having gone fishing today and loaded my trolley for the first time since the first lockdown when I did a four wheel conversion on it, it struck me just how much gear I actually take - and this is without keepnets and rods

Trolley
Seat box plus stacker units
Side tray, too big really but you never know
Bait bag with a mix of baits and groundbaits
Roller bag packed with all sorts plus two rollers
sandwiches and flask
Pole holdall
Brolly (just in case)
Landing net on it's own

Despite looking at it, short of strip out everything I know I won't use but might need so take it just in case, what can be done to condense tackle to a reasonable, if not sensible, amount? - and that was just for a pleasure fishing session

Pompous git said:

I hope the next zander you catch bites your knob.

Click to expand...

@Pompous git gave me this warm fuzzy blessing just before Christmas (If you missed the thread, there was a lot of tongue and cheek, although a definite different side of the fence regarding a certain silver predator)

Now, it's been an odd week. I went out all day on Monday for the first time since early November. I was after some good old Esox, but unfortunately, good old Esox didn't know I was at the party.

So, being a teacher and on half term week, I decided to give it another crack yesterday. I only gave it three hours and before my 2nd rod was out had a belting run. I was into a good double, and lost it at the net. Rude words may have made an appearance. Fortunately I didn't have to wait long to make amends and ended up with 4 pike on the...

Okay, I've got itchy fingers this evening, starting to get pre day's fishing excited even though it's a few days away yet - bet i don't sleep tonight now

But, anyway, I've just been milling around the online stores looking at groundbait - I know what I wanted but was absolutely taken aback at the amount and variety of groundbait available now - one store alone boasted some 115 different types of groundbait!

To me there was always fishmeal based and non-fishmeal based, natural colour or dark/black, but now it seems you can get every flavour and colour under the sun.
I thought, simples, a bag of Sensas Roach & Silver fish, but now I'm bamboozled with more options than I'd know what to do with

Is groundbait to catch fish or is it to catch the angler? Are we going down the Boilie path with Groundbait?