Some late afternoon and evenings sessions..plus a PB.

[Baz T]

Managed to fit in 3 trips during the last 5 days. I like these short sessions using chum mixer - because all I need fits into a small rucksack, apart from the rod, net and mat. For all 3 trips I arrived mid afternoon, and stayed till dusk.

The first day was baking hot - and unfortunately the swim I like faces directly into the sun - which can be a hindrance when trying to see your freelined floating pellet in the glare of sun on water (even with polaroids) - however its one of the better swims, so I persevered and I ended up sweating more than a weight watcher in a cake shop, and even my polaroids were steaming up. The carp were obliging however, and I had about 8 that session, biggest about 14lb, and hooked and lost loads more, so it was a great session.

2 days later, I nipped down again. It was nice and sunny at the start, but shortly afterwards it clouded over, got quite dull, and then the mist started rolling in. The breeze was fairly strong, so it was extremely difficult to see my floating pellet on the surface. I did try to get the fish feeding at the sheltered end of the lake, but not one fish showed, and they were all down the breezy end (Typical!). I dont use a controller float, just freelined chum mixer, which I can flick out a fair distance. Great when its calm, but with ripples on the surface its a pain. I enjoy just using a freelined chum mixer - as I can quickly reel in, and flick it out to a different area where a carp is showing on the surface - whereas a controller float tends to make a splash etc and can sometimes spook the fish but my freelined mixer doesnt disturb the fish at all, and I enjoy targetting individual fish I can see feeding. So due to the breeze and ripples, I ended up chucking out lots of free offerings, and once the fish were feeding and had scoffed most of the freebies, I would then cast mine out, and even though I couldnt always see my mixer I would keep my eye on the spot where it landed, and if any carp took off the surface in that general area, I would lift the rod and hope it was my hookbait the carp was taking. A bit hit n miss, but I did hook a few and once again some fish up to 14lb.

Next day, the weather forecast indicated milder winds, - but no, it was even stronger. Some anglers were already in the the swim I preferred, so I walked around the lake, chucking in some mixer. Nothing showed. I ended up at a swim I had tried briefly the previous day - I had tried it for half hour or so before going home the previous evening, and landed one carp about 2 or 3lb, and saw lots of other small carp too. This swim was the only one that held any signs of fish today so I thought what the heck, even small carp are good fun off the top. I chucked out some chum mixer, and was about to flick out my hook/mixer for first cast of the day, when I heard an extremely loud "SLURP" about 4 feet along from me, right in the margins under some overhaning reeds and branches. One of the chum mixer freebies I had chucked out had bounced off my rod and ended up landing in the margin just along from me, and a carp had taken it. I flicked my mixer down to that margin area, and a huge pair of lips appeared from under a bush, sucked in my mixer, and then all hell broke loose. A huge splash, and then the reel was screaming as the carp took off across the lake. This wasnt a 2lb carp I thought.
I was worried as it was heading straight for the island - very snaggy - but it stopped just short, and despite the several good runs and lunges I eventually landed the carp. It was a pb - 19lb 4oz. I thought I might break the 20lb mark with it, but unfortunately not. The other anglers across from me must have thought - jammy beggar - first cast and a carp like that. I ended up with a few more carp throughout the afternoon, but it was hard work in the strong breeze, but a great day all the same.

Nice sunny afternoon carp

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Nearly time to pack up...but just one more cast to that rise in the middle of the pic....



If you cant see your floating pellet - go home

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Misty......

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Got these 2 before the mist descended..

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and.....more mist..

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Home time again..

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2 fish from the last session including my pb...

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MY PB - 19LB 4OZ

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[blackwater]

Great pics there Baz, nice report aswell.

Justin

[BoldBear]

Your great big smile says it all, well done.

Three really good sessions on the floater, well done Baz.

Nice pics too.

[Bluesbro]

Well done Baz, some cracking looking fish there mate!!!

[chris.oldgit]

beautiful lookimg common, good sessions well done

[chazyboi]

brilliant you caned them baz great pics out of intrest have you ever tried for em with a fly rod its fun and wen its choppy you can see the main line on the water gives you good bite detection well done on that pb im sure youl break the 20 mate

[Baz T]

Thanks for the comments - and Chazyboi - good idea about the fly rod. Will possibly give it a go next year, as it sounds just the job. But then I will maybe think of trying out some trout lakes if I have a fly rod, and then theres fly fishing for pike on the canals......aaaah....not enough hours in the week to fit in all my fishing..!!

[pingu]

cracking session baz

dave

[Dubbed Squirrel]

Worth waiting for Baz, cracking report, photos and fish. Well done on the PB

[Maddison_Twatter]

well done on the PB m8, free lining on the top is where its at !