First session on my new water...

[Julian Grattidge]

After a few hours on the canal between 4-8am on Friday, I got on my new water for the first time to fish between 10am – 1pm.

It was a bit of a nightmare to be honest. The fish were *totally* up for the mixers, but unfortunately so were the ducks. Every time you put any out they would all make a beeline for them, and they would even go after your hookbait each time you cast it in.

I need to have a rethink about strategy, but there must be a way. I resorted to a type of open water stalking, whereby I would spot a fish and cast where I thought it was going to go, and then hope the fish would make it to the bait before the ducks did!

A constant nightmare but I did bank three nice mirrors to low doubles, and lost one a fair deal bigger. The hooklink snapped right at the hook after I’d been playing it for sometime – got a good look and would estimate 16-18lb, which would have been fantastic off the top for a first session. Ho-hum.

Have to take the positives though, three fish banked and some nice fish spotted. I hope to be back on for a few hours in the week.

[braidman]

Originally Posted by Julian Grattidge

Have to take the positives though, three fish banked and some nice fish spotted. I hope to be back on for a few hours in the week.

congrats m8 and now you know there are bigger, something to spur you on

[TheDoctor46]

Well done mate keep at it.

[shaun]

well done and good luck with your next session

[woody]

nice 1! keep at et !!leviathan is waitin !!!!!

[LeAtHeR CaRp]

nice one Jules. Those bloody ducks!! lol oh well if it wasn't for them it would be easy fishin

top result mate

[kerrwaf]

Well done

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Julian Grattidge

I resorted to a type of open water stalking, whereby I would spot a fish and cast where I thought it was going to go, and then hope the fish would make it to the bait before the ducks did!

Nice1 J. That's taking the very tricky art of stalking up to the next level, carp empathy! Wow

Nice 1 for landing 3, result!

[Bet]

Well done Jules Good luck for your next session

Sounds like a nice session tiddler snatching . . . only joking.

In the past I've found if you take an old loaf down with you,
you can suss out the fishing opportunities and preoccupy our
feathered friends with a few strategically placed slices away
from the fishing area . . . only trouble is they do finish the
bread off quite quickly, hence the need for a full loaf.

If that fails, its time to find an even newer water . . . but
seriously, it can be a frustrating time surface fishing with our
fiendish, feathered friends on some waters.

Maybe try a zig, may fool carp and quackers . . . tight lines.

[martinp]

Nice one Jules u will have to give me some tips on sat. The basin at Ellesmere port on Shropshire union has just had a load of carp put in from what i been told but its covered in that green weed at moment. was told there some big ones in there. So will have to sort some stratergies on how to go about it.

[Cliff]

Them pesky Ducks, frustrating isnt the word
On the subject of floater fishing does anyone add any flavours to there mixers???? Does it make any difference???

[martinp]

Originally Posted by MarkeR

who put carp in the basin at ellesmere port mate? i can remember night fishing the backford stretch of the canal in the mid eighties and hearing carp crash out against the far bank reeds of a night time
i never have been back for a go at them though lol

I was told that some guy had a pit on some land he was clearing and wanted to get rid of fish so he just put them in basin. Not got a clue who he was or anything. Guess he didnt get it registered with enviroment agency.