It was supposed to be Zander fishing!

[Barrie C]

Just had a very busy night at one of my favourite spots.

With only 3 weeks to go, I was determined to get back out and have a go for one more Zander, before the rivers and drains round here are exclusively for the use of "non legal anglers" catching for the pot - now there's an emotive subject!

Anyhow, I managed to get on the bank for 4:00pm and soon had caught a number of small baits for the night.

First run came at 7:00pm and I was really pleased with a Pike of 18lb 2oz!, badly photographed (must get a better camera - bad workman and all that) and safely returned to the water.



Look at the surprise on my face - aaaagh! been a while since I saw a decent size pike!

I got a few hours sleep as all was quiet and was woken at 3;00am by one of the alarms screaming off.

You can imagine my suprise when I reeled in a Bream, what was even more suprising was the Orange Fox jointed lure hanging from the corner of its mouth. Can you imagine how likely this bream was to be attacked dragging a jerk bait around!

After removing my hooks and the lure, along with its wire trace (pike angler snapped by a 3lb Bream LOL!) the fish went off to join the rest of its buddies.


After trying to chase of the 4 Mink that seemed keen for me to give them the Bream - and they would not go! I recast all the rods and started slowly getting my stuff together.

I kept all but the last rod out and started edging it back in 2 feet at a time and leaving it 10 minutes between each move, while I packed up the bivvy and all the gear you have to take on an overnight.

at 7:00am the last rod screamed off and I hit it quickly, what took place was probably the hardest scrap with a pike I have ever had, this fish did not want to come in and I could see it was only lightly hooked in the corner of its mouth by one treble.

after some tailwalking and abandoned attempts to the net I got the fish on the bank - now this one looked big!


It went 20lb 4oz and I look old and knackered!

So that was my night! No zander, but I really don't care, I was a Pike angler before I fished for Zander and you forget, just how much bigger they can be.

Now if my last 2 sessions before the close season are half as good, i will be very very happy

Barrie

[perch_king]

well done mate great report and good pics

[robm]

Well done Barrie 2 cracking Pike and for the Bream on a lure,also a good report and great pics,some much deserved reward for keeping at it.

robm

[fishypaul]

couple of lovely fish there barrie,well done mate

[wellyfish]

awesome fish,pics and great report , well done

[baitmaster]

well done barrie cracking fish and yes i would like my jerk bait back PLEASE i know i should have used a stronger line


was this before the bud or after ??





tightlines
kevin

[Barrie C]

kevin,

my one weakness! 4 bottles of Budweiser, if i'm overnighting, on a Friday night ( it does not effect my fishing!)

That would be after by then!

So now we know your secret for Bream fishing!

Another Lure to add to my virtually unused collection!

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Fantastic Pike mate well done

[Rob M]

Cracking fish mate! Well done

Rob

[pingu]

cracking session

well done there barry