Nothing for hours, then 2 within 10 minutes

[Baz T]

Went to Exeter canal this morning for a lure fishing session. First problem was the newly fitted gate to the lime kilns carpark is now locked (with no arrangements in place yet as to how anglers can get a key!), so instead I parked at the Swingbridge carpark.
Met a carp angler there who was having to lug all his gear from the Swingbridge carpark to the kilns so hopefully they will sort out the key arrangments soon.
To cut a long story short, I walked a good few miles, from Swingbridge to Turf carpark - and only saw one small jack who made a dive for my lure - and missed! Throughout the day, I had tried various lures, deep divers, shallow lures, different colours, rattling lures, soft4play's etc, but nothing.

I ended up back at the kilns by mid afternoon, and after another hour there without a bite, I decided on one last lure change before going home. The only thing I hadnt tried in my tackle bag was a shad. I have not really tried shads - for some reason I have always opted for other lures first, though my son Aaron had a 3lb 1oz perch last year on one. I put on a 4 inch Kopyto shad, rigged with a jighead, and home made stinger.
I cast it out, let it sink till near the bottom and did a slow retreive. Got it to the bank, and I thought I had snagged the bottom, but the water suddenly erupted as a 5lb jack leapt out the water. It was quickly landed, unhooked and returned.

I cast out again, and missed a take, but on the next cast to the same spot the pike took before the shad had touched bottom. A jack of about 7lb this time.

I packed up shortly afterwards. One thing that worried me was that as I walked along past some swims, I saw a rod lying on the bank (with line out in the water). No sign of an angler nearby, but about 30 yards further on were 2anglers. One of them said the rod was his and jokingly said "I am a fast runner". Needless to say they were pike fishing with deadbaits. I explained to him the dangers of deep hooking a pike if a rod is left unattended (he didnt even have a bite alarm). They asked if I had caught any. Told them of my 2 jacks, and without thinking I nodded towards the area I had caught them. They had blanked so far. Next thing I knew they were up and away, and...fishing at the swim where I had caught the 2 jacks!!!
I hope he took my advice on sitting next to his rod, but I doubt it.

I have just ordered some more Kopyto shads, as I will make sure I use them more often in future.

[Dubbed Squirrel]

Result in the end Baz, well done to you and your son. Some anglers (if you can call them anglers)just don`t have a clue about the damage they can do by not watching their rods. Must have been funny watching them rush to the swim though, a sign of sheer desperation LOL. Mate and I at a fishery above Greenock started pulling in Rainbow after Rainbow, on Montanas, next thing we knew this guy virtually ran round the loch and started casting a bait rod out not 15 feet away from us. He still caught SFA.. Out after sea trout last night, not a sniff, although we did hook a few big browns, well done again bud.


Peter

[Baz T]

I have heard sea trout are difficult to catch - shame you didnt get any. I see you hooked a few big browns though - great stuff.

[Dubbed Squirrel]

Wading helps you cast to lies you couldn`t reach from the bank. About 1/2 doz @1lb -1lb + all released to fight another day though Baz.



Peter

[pingu]

nice one baz
i'll be out after 1/2 term

dave

[Baz T]

Will no doubt see you down there Dave. I see the angling club site now has info on the keys. You have to go to Cobblers, Cowick street, with Exeter club membership card, and you can buy a key, so at least we can still get to kilns carpark.

[tjnorton]

Nice Baz. I was on the canal this saturday from double locks down. Not even a sniff!!

Still waiting for my first pike.

tj

[chazyboi]

well done on the jacks baz im out piking this week,,my fav river the wye has thrown up a 28 nice picture in angling times so know where im off