linear (oxleases ) the highs and lows

[baitmaster]

well i decided after our linear meet i was going to get back and have another session as i wanted to fish oxleases so with all plans set and working hard over Easter i took my chance and headed off Sunday for my trip on arrival at linear (oxleases) i took the chance to walk the lake before i started to look to see where i wanted to fish i was in two minds where to fish it was going to either be on the west bank half way down or down the southern end knowing the carp follow the wind and this is where it was blowing gently into my decision was made and the west bank got my vote as this is where i had seen a lot of fish moving while i was walking around .
by the time i was set up it was dinner time my tactics for this session were going to be simple with a main baited area with a margin rod at night and also knowing it was going to be hot zig rigs during the day set around 12ft .
i know i missed an opportunity during Sunday i,m sure it was due to the long drive down and being knackered that i did not work with my zigs this was apparent with the angler to my right ( Simon ) having it big time with his rigs and his two mates rich ,and Simon picking off an odd fish or two i had a good chat with these and got on really well with them
the first night was quiet and i knew that Monday morning was going to seeing me heading to the local tackle shop to buy a few bits and bobs as i was not really properly equipped for fishing up in the upper layers of the water .
i was up early and had two of my rods changed back on to zigs as during the night i had them over my baited area,s which consisted of maples and hemp .
i was hoping before i headed off to the tackle shop i could open my account with a fish as this would really boost my confidence and with in an hour of changing to the zigs and casting at topping fish my first run transpired i battle the carp and it done every thing it could to make its escape soon the water boiled about 12ft out and not really getting a good look at the carp it still pulled hard to escape and then disaster struck and the hook pulled and i was left inspecting my rig how quick success can turn to failure but not being deterred i was soon back out hoping for another take i had arranged to take Simon and rich down the tackle shop too and we wanted to be there for 9am and with it coming up to 8 .30 it look like i was not going ot bank a fish before we went but at that moment the same rod rattled off and i was again into one of oxalates hard fighting carp this time the hook held fast and i was relieved when rich got into the water and landed in safely in my net (thanks rich )
16lb 8oz


we soon got what we needed and were back at the lake i was soon making up my new zigs and on casting out i did not even get time to put the rod down as the line tighten up in my hand i played the fish as it yet again fought hard now whether it was due to me not actually striking when the fish took the bait i don,t know but yet again as i got it close to to net i had yet another hook pull (very frustrating ) again the hook was check but nothing seemed wrong but taking no chances a new zig was made up
the swim slowed down but simons next door did has he was given every one around a master class in zig rig fishing and his tally of fish were rising steadily .
mid afternoon saw me getting further action on my zig rig and another hard fought battle was taking place and i was struggling to keep this fish under control as it kited hard to my right
i finally beat it and soon had it sitting in the folds of my net a cracking mirro it was too
19lb 4 oz


no further runs came and again the rigs were changed over to bottom baits for the evening and night Roy the bailiff came round and told us that in the morning around 9.30 to 10 am they were going to spray the lake with weed killer and we would have to reel our rods in for an hour while this was done i was concerned that the spraying would actually affect the fishing after another quiet evening and night i was again up early and after yesterday early runs i was hoping i would get the same thought of action again i was quick to change to over to up in the water rigs but the first action came on the baited area,s which i was topping up during the day again the fish fought hard as if it was on steroids and again the fish was played all the way in only to suffer the same fate as yesterday and drop it at the net .
again the rig was changed clipped back up and cast over the baited area, not long another run came this time on the zig and yet again this was played all the way in only to yet again pull the hook this was now becoming a worrying trend but i could not find nothing wrong with the igs or the hooks again this was changed and put back out and like yesterday morning it did not take long for it to rattle off again and this time i manage to keep the hook attached
and netted a nice fish of 17.6oz


hopefully this would end my hook pulls but only time would tell and i soon had another chance to see it it was going to be ok as yet another run came all most immediately after recasting and a good battle was on and yet again at the last minute the hook pulled out .
after they sprayed the lake things slowed down and
i woke up to a cracking sunrise on Wednesday



and had two decisions one to stay and the other if i stayed a move was in order .
i decided to move just a few swims down to my right in the hope off picking up fish heading up three main bar towards the island .
i worked my rods hard during the day and as evening fell my decision to move was not looking a good one but tactically i felt my decision to put two rods on the new baited would pay dividends this time the margin rod was kept on a zig instead of a bottom bait just to see if the fishing were cruising close in
soon the evening turned int tonight with no runs coming and i retired to my bag i soon fell asleep but was awoken around 1pm with the zig rig rattling off a good spirited fight ensued and soon i had a nice 18lb 8oz fully scaled in the net


this was put back out and i hit the sleeping bag once again as like every other day i awoke early but this time i just laid in the bag place the keelte on and watch the morning slowly start to dawn and i took this pic which i think which for me really depicts what carping is all about with the kettle boiling and waiting for action while the sun rises and burns off the the early morning mist



during the day i tactical change was done with the weather turning a bit colder and the wind taking a more Easter track i felt i had to rethink i also had another bit of info that might help me which was mainline bait regualry have bait tested on here and knowing this and having someone mainline pro-active pineapple with me i remarked up a far bar and cattied half a kilo pro active pineapple around the marker two rods would be place on here during the late afternoon and evening and the third rod would just be pva bagged onto the closer in bar
soon the evening was up on us and my rods were in place with the traps set ready and there seemed a lot of activity in front of me by 11pm and i was now very confident that something was going to happen soon sure enough the new baited area rewarded me with a nice carp of 18lb 8oz

soon i had the rod back out there with new confidence it only seemed seconds before i was back in action with yet another carp of 18lb .
this was the last action of my session on reflection though i felt i made some fundamental mistakes and did not fish to my best but it was a success as i did not blank and i, have made some new friends in Simon and rich guys thanks for you help during the week its been a real laugh



tightlines

Kevin

[maghouse]

Well Done Kev - great read ..... like the pics - the dawn/mist/rods/swan photo is great !

Some big fat fish there - you look like you are thinking .... mmmmm shall I eat this one !

[Norfolkboy]

Some nice fish there Kev, well done.

[pingu]

cracking report and pics as ever kev

love the fully scaled pic

[fishypaul]

nice one kev,some lovely fish

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Brill read mate and thanks , loved the picys and thoughs carp are crackers

[Twiddler]

Brilliant report/pics Kev,super well done ......some cracking looking fish and why are you saying you didn't fish to your full ability....just remember....no matter how good an angler is, fish are always unpredictable and they have the last say. You went, you caught some cracking carp, be content with it

[baitmaster]

the only reason why i said i did not fish to my full ability was because i was LAZY at times during the session , and i could have fished harder and better it had nothing to do with the unpredictability of the fish that's normal for any session in pursuit of any species in any conditions thats then up to the angler to THINK and use the right tactics in the right place and change when necessary to put a fish on the bank .

if we angler were content with what we caught we would not need to go any more and fishing would become very BORING

TIGHTLINES
kevin

[perch_king]

well done kev cracking report and some nice carp there well done mate

[Greenheart]

Fantastic report & pics Kev. Looks as though it fished a bit better than our last trip. I think we may have to arrange another meet there.