Guides

Stalking is close-range, opportunistic carp fishing where fish are located visually before the bait is presented. No bite alarms, no rod pod, no long waits. This guide covers the conditions that make stalking work, how to read the water with polarised glasses, approach and positioning to avoid spooking fish, the minimal gear setup, rigs from a freelined bait to a dog biscuit on a controller float, baits including bread, sweetcorn, worm and boilie, how to manage the take and fight in tight marginal swims, and the most common beginner mistakes. Day-ticket lakes, estate lakes and clear-water venues are all covered.

Pike are the apex predator of British freshwater. They hold tight to structure, ambush their prey from cover, and pull harder for their size than any other UK coarse species. This guide covers identification, where pike live across rivers, drains, lochs and reservoirs, how they feed and what triggers a take, full seasonal patterns including the rod-licence closed season, deadbait and lure approaches, the dedicated tackle needed for fish that can exceed 30lb, and the mandatory handling discipline that separates capable pike anglers from those who shouldn't be targeting them.