Quest Baits Blog

From:Matt

sexymatt_123@msn.com

Message:

Hello I have recently started coarse fishing, the venue which I am currently fishing looks very much like a match fishing venue , although the fish are somewhat larger then match fishing size(2-15Ib), the main fish there are carp. My Question is what type and breaking strength of hook-link should I use, the water is slightly clear but in some-parts very muddy, and has around 5-7 feet of depth in some areas.

The rules of the venue have a ban of the use of braid and other heavy lines like lead-core and surface fishing. My mainline is 10lb filament line and i am mainly waggler fishing using maggots or sweetcorn on a hair-rig, with a simple rod and reel set-up.

Any advice much appreciated

Hi Shaun

Just a quick question about the use of boats on French waterways, and that is do you need a licence for them? I have a sport yak with electric engine!!

Many Thanks

Robert Honour

Mark Parry asks…

Hello,  I would just like your thoughts on size of hooks for different sizes of baits, now I’ve always used a size 8 for 16mm baits, size 4 for 20mm baits , whats your thoughts ?

Bryan asks;

Hi Shaun,  Having looked at the video vault on the Quest Baits website and the section on self take photography, I have had no luck in sourcing the bracket and the adaptor that fits to the upright.

Can you please give me a clue as to where I can buy such an item to allow me to also use self take photography without using a self timer?

Many thanks in anticipation, Bryan Clark.

Shaun Harrison answers;

Hi Bryan,  Since we filmed that clip I have now found an even better bracket. It works the same way as the one I was using but has more adjustment and simply locks up more secure. I used to have the original one slip off the shutter release at times especially when taking several pictures. This now seems to be a problem of the past.

The type I now use (and have done so for over 12 months so a fair trial period) is from SRB-Griturn based in Dunstable Bedfordshire. 01582 661 878 www.srb-griturn.com

Best fishes, Shaun

Hello there Shaun,

Thank you so much for the reply and I fully understand and appreciate the reasons on how and why you choose your bait testers.  I am an avid carp angler and wanted to try and may be using bait testing to put my name around in the carp fishing general.  Hope I’m not ask too many questions, but how would I go about in getting mentions in magazines etc?   I hope you can help and I really appreciate the reply you sent.  I wish Quest Baits all the best and tight lines!

Carl

Hi Carl,

It is very important to be seen to be catching fish and generally getting people to recognise you. I started carp fishing in 1977 and it took until 1987  before I picked up my first sponsorship/tester role and this was after a few years writing in the monthly magazines of the time. These days things are a little different as many companies run with a big army of so called testers who are nothing more really than offered bait/tackle at a cheaper rate. At Quest Baits we decided not to do this and only have people involved who have been picked/chosen by us.

These days there are many avenues to get your face recognised. When I started there were only 3 or 4 different coarse angling magazines (no carp fishing ones in the high street). Your best bet would be to start putting some catches on Facebook (free of charge and you are in control of it), Send a few catches to some of the On-Line magazines and Carp Talk. The secret to catch reports is trying to make the story interesting. At the end of the day the Editor needs to keep his magazine enjoyable there is a lot of competition out there. So, rather than stating the bare facts, bait, rig, hook etc try and think if there was something unusual about the capture, something which will make a bigger report. Perhaps you moved swims, or changed tactics, anything which gives the reader extra information and the Editor more to work with. continue reading…

Just wondered if anyone had any tips for casting zigs?  Sometimes the surrounding swim prevents the casting of say a 5ft zig.  I’m sure I read you can tie them up with pva tape but I can’t get it to work for me?

Hi Jim,

The easiest way is to lay your unhooking mat down behind you and coil the line down on that.

I have also seen anglers coil their hook link in a saucepan or mug even but the mat gives you more room to simply lower onto and is a more proficient way than using PVA which shrinks rather than melts. This means the PVA forms a tight ball around where you tie which can result in it not releasing.

Hope this helps.

Best fishes, Shaun