Caught the right fish at a forum meet !!!

Jolly Piscator · #1 03-27-2011, 09:14 PM

This Saturday saw the 3rd forum Zander meet in Gloucester and my 4th attempt to catch an elusive zed .
In spite of a lot of interest in a second meet this year, unfortunately not many were able to make it this time so it was down to myself, Greenheart & Richard (forum admin.) to make something happen.
We arrived to near perfect conditions , warm & overcast , the complete opposite of Novembers meet. The three of us set up east of the bridge as this had produced more fish on previous occasions .
In an attempt to change my luck with this species I decided to bring out the splitcane rods & centrepins , doing away with bite alarms in favour of a penny balanced on the spool over a tin , with the ratchets off for no resistance . One rod with straight running ledger, one with slider float & drilled bullet with deadbait ( hopefully ) just touching bottom . Bait was Gudgeon , inspired by the honourable Bernard Cribbins & 'cos it was all I had .
Well , in spite of the conditions the going was very slow . Even a long walk down the canal with a spinning rod produced nothing . Then , at about one pm while chatting to Ian, I glanced over & noticed the spool of the float rod turning , I rushed over and stuck into something solid & soon my first Zander was in the net , a feisty little chap a shade under 4 lb .

well chuffed with that .
Not much happened for the next few hours . Then I heard the penny drop on the other rod, I struck but only felt a momentary resistance and reeled in to find that the top treble had slipped on the strike ,

grrr , won't be using Drennen snap tackle again !
That was all the action I had but was very happy with finally getting my first Zander , on cane & pin too . Though the highlight of the day might have been seeing Ian sneak up behind a calmly snoozing Richard with his bite alarm sound effect .

Richards reaction could best be described as somewhat animated ! LOL
Not many fish caught but a good day out , hopefully Richard & Ian will add some photos below . Cheers guys

Ragingbull · #2 03-27-2011, 09:28 PM

Well done m8, I was hoping to come along but after doing my Help for Heroes auction the previous night getting back late and then having to deliver some of the lots to people I sadly just didn't have time, I did drive over the bridge though and toot my horn to you lads, and then in all honesty just completely forgot all about the fact u were going to the Pilot afterwards, or I would of come down and said hello, it is about only a 10 min walk from my house if that.
Glad to hear u had a good time and caught the ever so elusive Zander and i am going to pledge now that I will make every effort I can to make the next meet if at all possible!