Second night of river fishing and this time I hooked one...

[barbelblanker]

Had my second river session in the dark down Hampton Loade.
This time I was not on standby for work so wandered down the end.
Past a cracking looking swim with some trees in it but couldn't tell how deep it was.
Passed a couple of lads who were fishing worm and maggot and said they were biteless (it only occured to me after the had passed me lights blazing that I really should have checked their tickets, next time , sorry).
Settled in to a swim before it got dark with the intent of giving it the swimfeeder and Sonubait barbel hookbait approach for an hour and then moving if this didn't work out.
The level looked marginally up on my previous trip. Weed still an irritant.
I'd say it was no more than 15 minutes after it got dark when the tap tap of the weed hitting the line just didn't look right and the tp started pulling round. At first I thought it was a clump of weed but then thump! thump! Aha! Fish on. Reeled in more and it still felt like weed. Until it got about ten yards out and woke up. This one felt big (which for me means anything over 6 pound, don't get carried away) and suddenly came alive. Deep heavy thump! thump! and then the hooklenght parted. Probably hit a rock I guess but it went. All ten pound of it.
That was it then, no more bites. So I started to get ready for the move when the two lasds earilier lit the place up like an air raid was going to happen. Sorry guys but PLEASE don't shine them torchs on the water . I know one of them was looking for some kit, fair enough, but just be more careful.
I went back up river to the trees swim and tried my luck there. I was hoping to draw some fish out of the trees by using the feeder and multiple types of particle etc. It wasn't to be, not even a rap.
I decided to move again and doubled back past the first swim to nearer the end of the stretch. The flow looked more even and I just got the feeling this was deeper. Made ready and cast out. I then had a look at the river and what I though was a ledge turned out to be some weed. I checked the depth and quickly realised that there was a good four foot of water immediately off the bank. I could still net a fish here but if I slipped I was going in and getting out was going to be troublesome. No fish is worth drowning for so I reluctantly packed up and went looking for another swim. I eventually ended up back in my first swim and sat it out here for another hour before heading back to the car (at bang on ten).
I am really enjoying this night fishing and getting a feel for it. I realised I am maybe a little paranoid clothes wise and have seriously overheated when moving. I'm also going to consider ditching my chair and just sit on the unhooking mat. Although , this time, I only took one rod, I still felt I was carrying too much gear (even though there wasn't a hell of a lot). I might even touch leger . My only concern is feeding the swim and being mobile too. I'm tempted to fish one big smelyy bait with no feeder but then it would make more sense to get some feed in. Are all those swimfeeders crashing in to the river attracting fish or scaring them off?
As for the night I avoided light as much as I could and found I could get even more done on a moonlit night.
Will keep reporting.
Tight lines all.

[SIMPLE MAN]

Unlucky on losing you fish mate but keep at it and it wont be long before you have your prize

[cheef87]

unlucky bb losing that fish which flavour hook bait did you use?

[BoldBear]

Another great report, its a pity your line had to catch on something and part, I really felt for you. better luck next time.

I know your line would probably have parted no matter what line you used but as a matter of interest; what line were you using?.

NB. For abrasion resistance in snaggy swims I use either 'Terry Eustace Gold Label Pro Gold' or 'Insight GR60' but when I need to respool I will be trying the new 'Insight GR60X'. (The original GR60 has accounted for five british carp records and two Barbel records and the new GR60X is reported as having even more abrasion resistance, suppleness and knot strength than the original GR60 so it sounds good).

Anyway great report as usual, am looking forward to your next report and I'm glad you are enjoying your night fishing.

Keith (BoldBear)

[barbelblanker]

Bait was a sonubait barbel hooker which stinks. The line is Middy LowViz that I have to admit I have only ever had problems with if I haven't tied it properly so I check all my knots.
I am going to take a good wander down the stretch with a pike rod, 20 braid and lead to get a real good feel for the river bed. NO BAIT though or I'll just stop and fish....