no bites (help)

[wilson86]

what can you do when your swim is dead an you've tride every bait you've got any one got any match winning tip that can help out please.

[Deano]

I dont do a lot of general fishing these days but I often treat carp fishing like how I used to fish during my apprenticeship, particularly if I am on an overstocked commercial water.Your frequency of baiting can be crucial and your presentation the same.I try and think my way into a fish.I imagine what might be going on in the lake and adjust my tactics to suit.
The first port of call though is location you will never catch fish that simply are not within your 'swim'.
I also adjust my tactics to suit the weather and how it will affect feeding longeivity and frequency, works quite well for me as I am an accomplished pastie basher!
Try and think your way into bites

[Blue]

It's worth baitin' up 2 or 3 spots, as well as the one your fishing. On the occasions I dabble on pleasure/match venues, I usually keep a bit of bait trickling into a margin spot, just incase the primary swim I'm in goes dead, not too much as to distract the main swim though

There are loads of little things you can do though, as Deano says, baiting frequency, presentation, depth of bait presentation, how the bait falls through the water, shot patterns on your float set up, it all makes a difference!

[Stig]

Originally Posted by wilson86

what can you do when your swim is dead an you've tride every bait you've got any one got any match winning tip that can help out please.

Smaller hook ,lighter hook length and differenet coloured maggot Also reduce the amount of feed you are putting in to about 5 maggots every cast .You could also make sure you have the bait well on the bottom . Change to quiver tip as the fish may want the bait competely static and nailed to the bottom .

I could go on forever but my rule used to be back in my match fishing days was .
"If it aint working change something " Start with the easier/simpler of things such as changing from single to double maggot or from white to red maggot , if that doesnt work change hook size then change hook length line diameter try some cloud bait

[wilson86]

i tryed most of the things you've all said but as i went lighter on tackle i got staped off 2lb main then 1lb hook length then moved up to 3lb main 2lb hook not a sniff, my peg was,nt the best no margins just open water and deep 4.5 to 5 foot tryed on the bottom just off bottom middle then 4inch off top, but i did notice that the water is very green.

[fatboyslim]

Hi Wilson,

What to do when your swim go's dead. Move to another off course

Only messing mate,

How are you fishing with a rod or pole?

The reason I ask you this is it can be remedied in different ways pal.

When you get to the lake and you start feeding the swim I take it you are having results straight away, then the bites slowly start to disappear.

It could be a case that you are putting to much food in from the off, by all means put a bit in to get the fish going but don't overdo it. feed for a fish at a time and you should get consistent action through, thats providing that the fish are there in the first place

The color off water should not make that much difference providing that the color is what they are used to.

When I am out course fishing I always have at least 3 top sections off pole set up,

1 for bottom baits, like you said just touching or fishing over depth IE when there is a strong tow on the water or just off bottom.

2 a rig set at half depth or so, because as you introduce food into your swim you will enervative draw fish up from the bottom to intercept the bait.

3 a shallow rig, if the bottom rig goes quiet there is a very good chance the fish will have moved up in the water and these will be you killer rigs,

Don't stop feeding though pal, little and often is the key here pal. Also make sure that your gear is up to the job!!! its no good seeing carp swirling sallow taking all your free offerings and presenting a bait on 1lb bottoms as there will always be one winner.

Hope this helps you out a little mate, put all the advice the lads have given you together and give it a go let us know how you get on.

Cheers Slim