Preparing and cooking maize for fishing

 Preparing and cooking maize for fishing

Facebook Post: 06/07/25

Afternoon Folk's, was going to wait, include with a future post on return 27th July. Just couldn't help share today, a picture doesn't do justice. The smell is like absolutely gorgeous 😍 Taken me years to actually get it right, finally smashed Maize 🌽 Preparation out of the park. After 92 hours soaking, the real secret isn't the Black Treacle added, it's been the slow cooking process, on the lowest gas mark possible for 24 hours. The texture and smell is bang on 💪

FIND ME IN FACEBOOK

>>>click link below<<

Now looking to catch one of them Big Bream at Walthamstow Reservoirs this week, so confident they will scoff this quicker than Usain Bolt 🔩 

MAKING CONTACT: anglingwithshaun@gmail.com 

Be heading there now if not for next stop a Portsmouth Mackerel Bashing session, coach booked. Hopefully get lucky 🍀 disappeared when turned up Southend-on-Sea, and several attempts on Isle of Wight. Told unless a seal 🦭 shows up should be in with a good chance of Mackerel.

That's all for now Folk's 👍🎣

MACKEREL BASHING SESSION PORTSMOUTH

>>>click link below<<

work in progress, thanks for your patience, please come back again soon...

Adding to the armoury new rod Tricast Pond Wand

 Beautiful bit of kit, added to the armoury a new Tricast Pond Wand Rod...

FIND ME ON FACEBOOK

>>>click link below<<<

Yep know, spending money again on new kit, when really should be getting a car, back on the road. Just couldn't resist, been on the wish list for to many years. So final own one of these beautiful little Tricast Pond Wands. Looking forward to plenty fun using this, further pictures to follow...

TEMPORARY PICTURE BETTER QUALITY IMAGE TO FOLLOW

TRI-CAST

>>>click link below<<<

The latest addition to the Award Winning Trilogy Commercial Range of Rods is this mighty atom, The TRILOGY POND WAND.

Coming in at only 6ft 6 inches and with a super lightweight of a mere 94 grams, do not under estimate this rod. Slim, Dainty and Precision made, this rod can delivery power if and when required.

MAKING CONTACT: anglingwithshaun@gmail.com

Designed for fishing the long pole line when weather conditions dictate that a pole cannot be used, or to fish just beyond your pole length, this rod is the absolute perfect tool for the job. 

Use it on Stillwater’s, Canals and todays modern Commercial Fisheries both in Summer and Winter.

Just a gently under arm flick will allow you to drop a little feeder or bomb exactly where you want it every time. 

A one section rod which comes with two interchangeable Carbon Push In Tips, gives this rod no flat spots and a perfect action to cope with small silver fish , F1 Carp and should a bigger Carp come along it will progressively put on the power as you bend it into the fish.

Made with the same Ultra High Grade Carbon Materials, and the very latest Superlight Ring Lock Guides from the U.S.A. as we use in all our Trilogy Commercial Range, this rod just has quality in abundance.

For any angler who is serious about having the right tool for the job, this has to be an item in his holdall.

Working progress, thanks for your patience 🙏

Thames Tidefest Fishing Competition 2025

 Thames Tidefest Fishing Competition 2025

Picture courtesy of John Sutton Clearwater Photography www.clearwaterphotography.co.uk

FIND ME ON FACEBOOK

>>>click link below to enter<<

MAKING CONTACT: anglingwithshaun@gmail.com 

It's been a long time now since fished this wonderful event. Unfortunately had no choice but to pull out last time entered due to health issues. This would have been my third time. 

Always been very keen to have another go at this great  competition. Recently made mind up wouldn't be fishing this year due to a recent heart attack, and diagnosed with coronary heart disease, on top of my COPD. However just couldn't resist having another go, hopefully won't have to pull out again. 

Tidefest 2025

Tidefest returns to the Thames for the 12th year running

London’s only major river match returns to the tidal Thames at Kew for the 12th year running. This year’s 40 peg Tidefest Angling Championship will be held on Sunday 14th September over four zones at Strand on the Green, Chiswick and Barnes.

This sponsored event uses the Continental Payout system with Top Four prizes by zone of £400, £250, £250, £250 to give every angler a chance to make the frame.

Tickets are £20 in advance including a £5 donation to the angling charity Get Hooked on Fishing.

Tickets go on on March 31st sale from:

Angling Trust – To book tickets online go to – anglingtrust.net/competitions/tidefest-2025/  or tel: 0115 822 4519 or email Kelly.latimer@anglingtrust.net

Tackle Up – 151 Fleet Road, Fleet GU51 3PD. Tel 01252 616129  (CASH ONLY)

“Last year’s match saw the roach feeding well in most sections. The winner was Mark Brush with a fabulous feeder caught 23lbs 8oz net of roach and skimmer bream at the bottom of Strand on the Green followed by Dan Woodings with 17.06 of the same from just below Kew Bridge. There were a good number of pound plus roach landed along with some quality dace which is great to see. The Chiswick zone was won by last year’s winner Tony Rice with a float caught bag of 15.11 with Michael Dalziel’s 8.12 mixed net, which included chub and seatrout, taking the main prize at Barnes.”

Tidefest Organiser Martin Salter said:

“This fabulous event, which is a celebration of London’s river, was in doubt following the loss of our sponsors but we are delighted to be able to run for one more year at least. We are in discussions with new sponsors so fingers crossed that it will have a longer term future”

Angling Times columnist and Thames regular Keith Arthur added:

“It’s so good to know that the Tidefest angling competition is going ahead again in 2025. The River Thames produces fabulous sport and there’s always a surprise or two – perhaps a sea trout or grey mullet – and it’s a great match to win”

work in progress, thanks for your patience 

Mackerel Session Portsmouth

Forthcoming blog will be heading back to Portsmouth for a Mackerel Bashing Session...

FIND ME ON FACEBOOK

>>>click link below<<<

Making Contact: anglingwithshaun@gmail.com 

Work in progress, thanks for your patience...

Work in progress thanks for your patience 🙏 

work in progress, thanks for your patience

Some feathers, hopefully the Mackerel are showing, been hit and miss a few times aimed to catch some...

Work in progress thanks for your patience 

Then getting a hovercraft to Ryde The Isle of Wight. Keep you all posted...

THE RETURN TRIP 2025

>>>click link below<<<

work in progress thanks for your patience 

Fishing Bait Live Maggots Online

 Fishing Bait Live Maggots Online

FIND ME ON FACEBOOK

>>>click link below<<<

Here is a topic recently discussed on my Facebook page. The Pro's and Con's of Online Bait Delivery. 

Spent many years now ordering online, although always been supportive of my local tackle shop for almost 50 years, in recent years converted to Online shopping, not just fishing tackle, all bait now comes delivered to door.

The plan here is to research and buy bait from as many different online companies as possible here in The UK 🇬🇧 

A recent Facebook post actually sparked alot of upset from some individuals. Upset not buying from shops anymore, this is ultimately my choice what spend money on. The truth be known, if a good reputable tackle shop, with a turnover of regular fresh bait is able to offer quality maggots then will 100% support and buy.

Some of the Verbal Abuse or be it Online Assault from Trolls, was so bad ended up having to delete comments, and block individuals.

The good thing is, never use full name on Facebook, only when ordering online. Don't like using my page, or name for the benefit of preferential treatment. As such like to order totally anonymously as if just anyone using a company. Surprising noticed just how different a company will treat knowing have an online presence with over 17k followers on Facebook.

Over the coming months will be judging each company with a five star rating on the following areas.

Bait Quality, size of maggots, including freshness longevity in turning = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Packaging, including care ice in or cool packaging maintaining good care of live bait in transit = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Courier Service, Speed, Reliability = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Price = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Customer Service = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

work in progress, a long-term blog post, be updating on a regular basis over the coming few months.

Making Contact: anglingwithshaun@gmail.com

So where better to start with a company used many times over the years called Willy Worms. Do believe one of the first online bait companies in The UK 🇬🇧 established in 1997.

>>>Click link below for Website<<<

Overall can't really knock this company, been a Customer now for many years. Always great Customer Service, polite, Friendly, Quick to Reply with any of my communications online. 

One great thing do like can order any of my coarse bait online, from worms to maggots, groundbait to boilies. Also able to order mist of my terminal tackle from shot, line, hooks, and much, much more.

All your bits and bobs available online, direct to your door...

On the whole more often than not able to order most things need, if out of stock The Staff are extremely helpful, and quick to order.

My maggots have always been good, including my worms. The only let down experienced is sadly out of Willy Worms hands, this is the courier. Had a few spillages, burst packaging, one parcel that never arrived, one damaged in courier depot, and a couple late deliveries. The most recent delivery by Parcel Force is currently late, normally next day. However having contacted Willy Worms they assure me bait will be okay, and have packed in ice free of charge.

Willy Worms Overall Rating

Bait Quality, size of maggots, including freshness longevity in turning = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Packaging, including care ice in or cool packaging maintaining good care of live bait in transit = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Courier Service, Speed, Reliability = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Price = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Customer Service = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Gallon of Good Quality Red Maggots, good measurements 8 pints.

Again can't really fault this company, having used loads of times. Highly recommended 👌

Shall continue to use Willy Worms because they are so convenient, and offer Great Customer Service 👍 

Moving on its been sometime now since used Angling Bait Company. Another great company, only ever stopped using them for maggots due to slightly more expensive. That being said always top notch maggots 👍 Also used this company for sea baits very good. Plan to be ordering some sea baits shortly, and shall be doing a maggot order in the coming few weeks.

>>>click link below for website<<<

A good selection of bait including their own range of groundbait used with good results 👍 

Angling Bait Company Overall Rating

Bait Quality, size of maggots, including freshness longevity in turning = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Packaging, including care ice in or cool packaging maintaining good care of live bait in transit = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Courier Service, Speed, Reliability = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Price = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Customer Service = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Work in progress

A company yet to use, heard some great feedback within the angling community. By all accounts the best quality maggots, freshest maggots in The UK 🇬🇧 Direct from the farm.

>>>click link below for website<<<