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I totally get how social media/forums can grind your gears. For years (going right back to RMC days) I just lurked and never posted a thing. I'm a non publicity angler and it just seemed the one to keep a low profile. But a few years ago and I can't remember what it was, someone asked a question on here and I felt the need to reply so I did. I don't post often, usually if I've got some particular knowledge that I'm happy to share.
When Twitter first arrived I was a prolific user, tweeting at least once a day, albeit that was all focused around my ski holiday business, but even then there were trolls/morons/business rivals. The internet is an easy place to make an anonymous attack. Back in the day my business had it all - for me at the time fake Tripadvisor reviews were a particular problem.
Thankfully I sold my business and pretty much retired before advertising was based around FB, Instagram and TikTok.
I don't know TC (Mark) and have only really dealt with him as a customer, but we have had a few exchanges via WhatsApp. He seems to be a nice, normal chap selling to my mind the best hook baits out there. I know if I had the trolls chasing me 24/7 I'd defiantly have gone outside of this forum into the real world to track them down! So kudos to TC for being big and calm enough to apologise.
Now whilst I'm on the subject of annoying fourm users; receive a PM asking a Q, send an informative long written reply containing 30+yrs of info/experience and then don't even get a one word thanks message in return............................unfortunately this hobby of carp fishing, that we all love, does seem to attract more than it's fair share of ignorant morons!!
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Bit silly/unnecessary talking about large sums of money on a fishing forum. 
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In reply to Post #18
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In reply to Post #17
Thank you Roger
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Are we sure nobody has hacked TC account, things don't seem normal anymore 
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It’s a good post and point, but it’s not an apology and nor should it be - it’s an explanation of your passion and protectiveness of years of hard earned lessons.
The trouble with the internet is that it’s full of faceless opinions - unlike pub gardens in my day when discussions could be had and on occasions you either amend your own views or concede there is merit on both sides.
I have really strong views on many things, some I just can’t compromise on and expend too much energy trying to convince others I’m right and my fall back is always ‘I don’t really care - but”. I would hate to earn a living from fishing and would be the worst salesman ever, I’ve done some shows with some bespoke pieces and we got to the stage we banned anyone from the stall clutching an NGT bag - with a not so polite, this isn’t for you - we got bored of trying to justify value, innovation and overheads. Buy or don’t buy.
Age gives you wisdom, it doesn’t extinguish passion but you spend more time contesting proper values than engaging with people who actually exist to be contrary like a radio DJ.
I love bait as a subject and in 40 plus years have had various phases of making, planning, buying and tweaking but it’s all just a game. The answer to one puzzle is rarely the answer to a different set of circumstances. In your writings Mark - I think you have always been very good at landing that point. The hemp, tigers, curing etc. the success of these tactics is not in the purchase but in the understanding - the why and when they work. I have used and still use your baits, they always have a place in my bag, not always on the hook but for the opportunity they bring. Are they good - very - are they magic? Absolutely not - but that is my opinion- not fact.
Understanding differing POV is so important - humouring idiots is pointless and exhausting. The internet was built for porn - and has become a replacement for learning. Ask any Dr who’s patients self diagnose by Google - the same people that tell you that this or that is better or that you’ve got it all wrong, or that they can achieve the same for 50p.
Maybe knock a few edges off but the world will be a sad place when we can’t have constructive debates amongst sensible posters. Life lessons and lightbulb moments can happen at anytime - I listened to a pod cast earlier this year and it changed my fishing this winter - not by blindly following, but by thinking that 10% is spot on.
So my advice (not that I am in any position to give it) is 100% keep the passion, just don’t waste it on idiots that you have no need or want to change their aggressive argumentative sad little internet lives.
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It takes a big man to apologise respect to u mark
Even though u haven’t t upset me i have the upmost respect for what u just wrote
Now all u have to learn when the haters come is
“ wax on wax off Wax on wax off Daniel son “
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In reply to Post #13
Ah sorry, there is more than one Sam who has stuff sent to France. Thought you were Mr Clare.
I understand your quote now. I'm not paranoid, however it might seem. As mentioned below, you lot really do not even hear the half of it. Speaking about the negative things of the bait trade all of the time makes Mark a very dull man. If you bring something great to market, everyone else wants a piece of that action. That's carp fishing. Look around at all of the hook bait companies claiming to be 'curing' on their websites. There is only one person that they are all looking at. That's a fact.
Yes I get told all of the time that big commons love it Sam. Get told all of the time that big mirrors love it too. As long as that is always the case, we will be okay. Carp fishing is not the be all and end all. Sounds bliss, the Sea Bass. I'm currently abroad, I spend more time fishing abroad in the sea now than I do for UK carp. When I am in the UK, I work 16 hours a day, 7 days a week for a month to 6 weeks straight. No exceptions. Been doing that for years.
People like you are our base customers. Anglers who sit festering on the bank stinking of piss day after day have no money to buy anything. They just ponce, to keep an easy life going.
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In reply to Post #1
Its good to have you here mate. Thanks for your input
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In reply to Post #12
No, Mr Bale!
Not been out after carp at all this year, only had time for a couple of fly fishing trips and will hopefully get after some seabass this summer on the lures on holiday.
Need to get back into carping in the autumn, but I can basically only do work overnighters, takes some motivation...
Hookbaits work well though, in particular, big commons seem to love those white S2s - you heard that before?
PS : what I meant by the Catch 22 quote is that you can come accross as a bit paranoid, but then you tell some of the stories of what goes on and it becomes more understandable!
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Ah, Mr Clare I presume? I hope you're still doing well with them
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In reply to Post #10
Not really, but I catch a few thanks to your hookbaits 
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In reply to Post #9
I hope for your sake, that your real life angling skill is substantially better than your efforts on here
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In reply to Post #1
"Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't after you"!!
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In reply to Post #7
It's madder than any of you lot could EVER imagine Andy. You don't hear the half of it.
I have just learned to accept it, that's all.
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Bait