Angling Lines Blog

Hi there,

Here is the second part of the casting video I shot with Shaun Harrison and Mark Hutchinson in February of this year. This part goes through the casting technique recommended by Mark to get extra distance. (It’s in two clips because Youtube limits the clips to 10 minutes). So here is part 2 & 3:

“Want to cast 160 yards? Join British Record casting champion Mark Hutchinson on the bank as he teaches a normal 100 yard caster how to hit the 160 mark he thought he’d never reach. No secrets – Everything revealed from tackle to technique.”

Long Distance Casting – Part 2: The Casting

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Lee Brown wrote:

In early June I am going to St Chistophe.  What are the most successfully baits for carp and what tactics work best at that lake? (don’t want to go there blind!)

Hi Lee,

Angling Lines
Check out the Angling Lines videos to get tips for this venue.

Thanks for your query I shall try to reply as fully as possible.

Firstly St Christophe is a deep water by most standards averaging around 20 feet. There are not an awful amount of features to be found,
although on peg 2 Shaun Harrison did find a slightly shallower spot at around 100 yards or so. I would suggest you start by exploring your peg with a marker rod to see if you have any variations in depth in front of you, or any gravel or silty areas. This will give you an idea where to start applying your bait.

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As I’ve written in previous posts I’m not a bait boat fan. I do though like to have a bed of bait accurately placed around my hookbait. If I’m fishing beyond catapult range then the Spod is the only real option left. I’m fairly comfortable with a spod up to about 100 yards. In fact I even like to use the spod as a bait dropper in the margins for the simple reason that it keeps the bait from spreading out too much, the type of spread you get with a catapult.

Many people will tell you , ‘Don’t spod here or you’ll blank…You need a bait boat mate!”.

I don’t actually believe this for a minute. Ok, I accept that initially the splash of a spod hitting the water may spook the fish, but they’ll be back soon. If you are fishing a bait they want to eat, in an area they are used to feeding in… A spod won’t stop them for long!!

Ok so what are the types of spod I use? There exits a whole host of varieties, and I carry a selection for all eventualities. continue reading…

As you already know, insects are a huge problem with any outdoor activities. Mosquitoes, horse flies and other nasty insects can be very annoying as they swarm and bite causing much itching and discomfort. I remember on trip to the Lac d’Orient, in Eastern France when they were biting us through our T-shirts. There is no one solution that works all the time but here are a few tips to help keep the bugs away. continue reading…

by Gareth Watkins

Hi all
What is and isn’t acceptable behaviour on the bank when you are on a carp fishing holiday in France ?

This issue of lack of respect to the venues, the owners and the other anglers on the bank is an issue that comes up on a regular basis. Ok don’t get me wrong I enjoy a drink and a social as much as the next bloke, this is one of the reasons I go carp fishing. I like to catch my share but I’m not a dead keen, must catch at all costs and to hell with the rest, type carp fisher. It does seem though that your ‘Costa del Sol, Ibiza type ‘Couldn’t give monkeys’ type attitude is fairly frequent and can spoil a good week on the venue.
What then are the main rules that it is unacceptable to break? We get complaints from disgruntled lake owners and annoyed anglers alike. continue reading…