Fireworks went off with a bang, the pred fishing didn't

[Norfolkboy]

Kev and I decided to get out for a zedding session yesterday, I had not been out for a little while so I was very eager to try and get another one on the bank.

Kev picked me up at around 9.45 and we were soon off down to the fens.
First job to do before we could start zedding was to get the bait sorted. We were soon fishing at the first venue which had been good to us both in previous sessions.
The weather was cold, clear and there was a very strong northerly wind. We tried hard to get a bite, but failed miserably. There was no sign of fish which is strange, as you normally see all the bait fish topping. We gave it around 15 minutes before we decided we would struggle, so packed everything down quickly and it wasn't long before we were trying a new spot. Yet again, no sign of fish and no bites, so for the 3rd time we went to look for a new spot to try.

We were soon at the chosen spot only to find the drain was being pulled and it was really rushing through. The water was also gin clear and there was no sign of any bait fish.

We were soon back in the car and Kev had 1 more venue to try before we were truly stuck. While driving to the venue Kev though of somewhere else to try, a venue I hadn't fished before. We were arrived and it really was a lovely spot. It wasn't long before we were fishing. Spraying hemp out with the odd maggot and caster seemed to do the trick and it wasn't long before we were catching fish 1 a chuck...the only trouble was most of them were too big to use. We had a mixture of roach, chublets and perch. We were getting some nice sized baits when a really decent roach would come along, some of which had to be netted out. Would have been a brilliant session if we were pleasure fishing for silvers.
Within no time at all we had plenty of baits and we could enjoy the last 30 minutes or so not having to worry about the size.

We finally arrived at the venue where we would try for the zeds. A long walk down and we arrived and set up waiting in anticipation for a zander to pick up our baits. It was a very bright night, the moon lighting up base camp and casting shadows. The wind had dropped down a little, but every now and again it would pick up. The temperature had also dropped to around 3 or 4C. The baits were fairly motionless, so it was a matter of giving them a twitch every now and then. At 7 or 8 (poor memory, sorry), Kev received a run on his inside rod, it fought fairly well and by the time it had almost tailwalked it's way on to the bank, we knew it was a feisty jack.
Estimated at around 4lb, it was soon released.

This gave us more confidence that the preds were feeding, but the alarms remained silent.
We were treated to some firework displays in the distance with the odd 'oooh' and 'aaah' as the next rocket went up kept us amused while we waited.

Time went by without a touch and it really was getting quite cold. By 10, we had decided we'd had enough and slowly packed away hoping one of the rods would scream off. However, it was not to be and we were back to the car by 10.45 making our way home.

I enjoyed the session and the bait catching was awesome, a place I would like to try for pleasure fishing.

Thanks Kev, the coffee's were most welcome on the night, brrrrr.

[BaggieRich]

Well done guys. Unlucky about the lack of Zeds, but at least you had some fun with the bait fishing!

Nice report Dan.

[baitmaster]

great report Dan you,ve said it all really yes the bait catching was fun and we enjoyed it we did not want to stop and the quality of the roach yet again was brilliant ,

as far as the zander fishing went when the drains switch of they switch off big time and and it like you are fishing area,s that are totally devoid of fish or that's what its feels like .

i,m hoping that as soon as this high pressure moves off the fishing will improve greatly as for my own zedding this past week has been dire at best and i,ve not written up a post since last Friday so below is how i have done.
also lot of miles have been driven (480 miles ) for very little return

Friday : 1 pike 1 small schoolie (first lure caught )
Sunday : 1 small schoolie
Monday : blank
Wednesday : 1 small jack

so this shows when things get tough they get tough and you really have to be really dedicated to keep going out even if you struggle.
hopefully the rewards will out weigh the disappointments .

tightlines
kevin

PS :

A POINT ABOUT THE COLD

i would just to say that although it was not below freezing but the dramatic drop in temperature the last day or so really made it felt as if winter was upon us, and the need for keeping warm and dry on the bank does and is important as you can easerly be caught out ,
hypothermia can creep up on any one fishing whether it on the fens, lakes, beach or out afloat in a boat or any other places where you are not overly actively moving.
so any of you going out and about check your warm clothing ,boots ,ect are up to the task , it just as important as the tackle you use .
and hot drinks are also important take a flask or stove to brew up a warm drink, soup, ect

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Great read and shame about the the zander but theres next time

Man it must have been cold

[Rob M]

Great read Dan, shame about the lack of fish guys, still its nice to get out

Rob

[pingu]

unlucky guys, but at least a jack saved the blank

next time.........theres always next time

[Twiddler]

Bad luck on the zed but at least you had fun with the bait fishing........Good advice about the warm clothing and hot drink Kev, I sometimes don't take the brew kit out of laziness but I will from now on, getting far too cold lol

[wellyfish]

great write up dan , nice one

[plugger]

good report shame about the fish well done

plugger

[Barrie C]

Great write up Dan,

i've just come back in from the middle, so i know what you mean about lack of fish!

Still as kev says once this high + Northerly moves off, things should start kicking off again.

Well done on the roach! thats great given the weather

barrie