Quest Baits Blog

Just the conditions for false bleeps!

by Shaun Harrision
Following on from my previous blog regarding stopping the bite alarms constantly bleeping in a big wind I would like to share another little method I have developed since I wrote the last bit.

This has all come about since joining a large deep clay pit in Cambridgeshire. I have never fished anywhere before that gets so windy so often. It’s as though it has its own mini climate. The drive to the pit will often see barely a rustle in the trees but once there white caps can often be seen with huge waves breaking over the bank on the prevailing wind. continue reading…

by Ron Key

American Signal Crayfish are here and they are spreading virtually unchecked. I first encountered them a few years ago in the Colne Valley where there were actually stocked in some waters to cultivate as food. They eventually escaped and have now spread over the whole of mainland UK. They are much larger than our native crayfish, and carry a fungus that is deadly to them. From an angling perspective they are so frustrating.

The crayfish are relentless they will try to eat everything; this includes your hooklink and boilie stop. I gave up using mono hooklinks very quickly as the crayfish nipped the line seriously weakening it. I use soft braids or coated braids now; they tend to fold when nipped rather than deforming but they do need examining regularly for damage. I also hide the hair stop when possible as this is usually the first thing to be eaten, leaving your boilie free for the crayfish to rob you. At best the only indication you will get is a single beep of your buzzer and you are no longer fishing.

continue reading…

Shaun Harrison gets out on the bank for a November session in France. He manages to bank several cracking carp including a 40lb plus mirror and a 29lb’er for the camera.

It is at this time of year when I start to dust off my barbel gear and think about getting out on the rivers.

After 6 months on the Stillwaters it is nice to be getting back onto some moving water, fishing for some truly wild fish.

Hopefully from now onwards (as the weather generally worsens) the banks will be less crowded and as always at this time of year the barbel and chub will be in their peak of condition.

From now until the end of the season you can expect to encounter some of the most challenging river conditions and the worse that the English weather can throw at you. With this in mind I have listed a few things, which although simple have helped me put more fish safely on the bank through many previous winters. continue reading…