Fishing

I Qualified for Barston Masters

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 14:54:00 +0000

I Qualified for Barston Masters

The Prep

This year, I more or less avoided matches. I felt like I couldn't dedicate as much time as I would have liked, so I didn't want to fish without being fully confident. However, I still love the buzz and pressure of a competition, so I fished a few club matches and two Feeder Master qualifiers, where I did poorly since I wasn't prepared at all. Anyway, while scrolling through Facebook, I saw someone selling a Barston Masters qualifier ticket and, without giving it much thought, I bought it.

Thankfully, in the past few weeks, I had the chance to fish a bit, so my casting was quite dialled in,I had confidence in my methods so my confidence was high. Before the match, I checked a few match reports from the lake to get an idea of which areas are good and to gather overall info about the place, as I hadn't fished it since last year. I also saw some Facebook posts from people who had fished there recently, and it was clear how I had to approach it.

A day before the match, I went to practice at one of my local fisheries where the fishing and the fish size are similar to Barston. I wanted to test some new hooks and make sure all my gear was ready to go. That turned out to be a good decision, as those hooks, despite being made out of a thick wire gauge, bent quite easily with the bigger carp, even without much pressure.

Except for the hook problem, the practice day went great. I fished two swims—one on the catapult line around 35 meters and another at 21.5 wraps, or approximately 65 meters. I started on the long line, getting plenty of bites from the start. While fishing the long line, I kept pinging my short line with 11mm pellets. After about an hour, I switched to the short line, managing to pick up a few nice carp as well.

After 3 hours of fishing, I had around 15 carp, which was enough to boost my confidence and confirm that my baits and techniques were on point. I went home early enough to stop by the tackle shop. With the help of the staff there, I managed to get some similar-shaped hooks of superior quality. Getting home early also gave me plenty of time to tie the new hooks and prep everything for the match.

The Match

The morning came, and it was match day. I was very excited and quite confident; the only thing that could hold me back was the draw. While waiting, I had the chance to chat with several people who spend much more time fishing matches than I do, so their insights were highly appreciated.

At the draw, I somehow ended up among the last few anglers to draw, and the peg I got was definitely one I didn't fancy. I drew peg number 91, which is on the opposite side of the lake from where I was hoping to be. A match win was out of the question, but looking at the section, it was quite fair, with a chance to qualify at least. The winner of the 10-peg section goes into the final.

When I got to my peg, I finished my prep in less than an hour, as I had all my bait sorted from home. I just had to set up my box, plumb up my swim, and clip up my rods. With around an hour to go until the start, I had a walk around the section, chatting with the fellow anglers, who were a great bunch of people. Among them, three were compatriots of mine, and as we had just met, there were plenty of things we had in common, having grown up in similar settings.

The “ALL-IN!!!” was shouted, and I started baiting up my long line with a few big bait-up feeders loaded with pellets and some corn. While doing that, I started catapulting pellets on my short line between casts.

I had my first cast on the long line, with no sign in the first 10 minutes. On my second cast, the tip went round, and I landed a beautiful ghostie around 5-6lb. Knowing that the area wasn’t great, I was happy to catch anything, and that fish gave me a lot of hope. With the next cast, I had another fish, quite small but very welcomed. In the next hour, bites slowed down, and I only managed another carp and a bream. I tried alternating between the long and short lines, but with no success, just another bream and a small crap in the next 3 hours. During all this time, I kept catapulting pellets on my short line, hoping that the fish would stop there at some point. Another hour passed with just one more carp and a bream from the long line.

I didn’t have a great weight at that time, but no one in the section did either, so I knew I had a chance to get to the final. In the last half hour, as I wasn’t getting any indications on the long line, I switched back to the shorter line. Not long after, the tip went round, and I landed a carp around 10lb. I was over the moon with that; it gave me much hope for the section win. So I cast back, and again, another carp. Not as big, but I was just happy to get bites. In the last 20 minutes, two more came, and as soon as I put the last one in the keep net, I heard the finish whistle.

The person to my right said he had around 20lb, and I knew I had more than that. As I’m very bad at estimating fish weight, I thought I had around 35lb. I was quite uncertain if I had enough, as I kept hearing people pulling fish further on my left-hand side. When the scales came, I was told that the biggest weight so far was 24lb. To my surprise, I weighed in at over 54lb, which was much more than I imagined I had.

The weight was quite low for the lake’s standard, but my plan was to get as much as I could from my peg. This worked well, and I managed to qualify, which was my first aim. I also managed to take the section with more than double the weight of the person who got second in the section, which boosted my confidence a lot for future matches.

In conclusion this match was a great experience overall. The fishing part was quite demanding, which made the result much more fulfilling. Besides the fishing, I had the chance to meet some great people and make new friends. Now, I'm eager to get to the final, and hopefully, I'll be able to draw a good peg.

Learning new methods. The slow sinking feeder

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 14:00:00 +0000

The last Leamington AA members' match that I participated was at Jubilee pools, Horseshoe Lake, which is a very deep lake with a varied stock of fish, including carp, bream, tench, crucian, roach, rudd, and chub. Due to the water being very deep and the hot weather, the fish tend to rise to the upper layers of warm water, making traditional feeder fishing very complicated.

During that match, I could not catch any big bream or anything substantial with the feeder. I only managed to catch just 5lb of crucians along with some small roach and skimmers on the pole, short. The overall match weights were not great except for one; someone had almost 40lb of fish, which was impressive for a match where carp didn't count. The angler that won was a legend. He showed me how he managed to catch so well using a slow-sinking feeder, a method I had never seen before.

Fishing the lakes again, I had the opportunity to talk to a few other anglers on the bank who are more experienced than I am. I was told that a bagging waggler works in a similar way and can be great on sunny summer days when the fish are cruising in the upper layers of water. A bagging waggler is a huge float similar to pike floats with a feeder attached underneath to constantly drip feed around the hook bait that is under the waggler.

I went and did a few sessions trying these methods, mostly using the slow-sinking feeder, and the results were great. I caught plenty of bream with the occasional carp. I haven't experimented enough with the bagging waggler to form an opinion about it yet.

I used different ground bait mixes; the best mix was ground expander and cereal ground bait in a proportion of 1:1 with a lot of caramel syrup.. There are many more options to try, but the mix should be on the dry side so it can be squeezed hard in the feeder and still be able to come off in the water column.

As for hook baits, I tried various options. Bread was good but took a bit of time, and the bites would come approximately 10 seconds after casting, so I lost a lot of fish while taking the time to punch the bread and put it on a quick stop. Bread would be a better option when fishing is a bit harder. Maggots were also a viable option but drew in a lot of smaller fish like roach, rudd, small crucians, and small skimmers. Magoots were great to catch many fish, but the lake has a large stock of big bream, and those were my main target. The winning hook bait so far has been white 8mm garlic and almond white wafters. This bait is very visible and smelly, most fish caught were bream over 2lb with the occasional larger crucian a d f1 carp . I am still yet to try a few other hook baits such as luncheon meat, worms, and corn.

Another thing to consider was the tackle. A softer rod with a softer tip is ideal. Due to the nature of the feeder, which is semi-buoyant, you cannot really have a bend in the tip or any tension on the line. A softer tip is much better for bite indication. Another change I made after my first session was the line. My go-to line for feeder fishing is 0.23mm as I normally target larger species. However, it sinks very slowly due to its thicker diameter, even though it is advertised as a sinking feeder line. The line I opted for on my second try fishing with a slow slow-sinking feeder was a 0.18mm pre-stretched line, which still has a high breaking strain but sank much faster. This is very important as the bites come while the feeder is sinking, mostly within 5 to 10 seconds after casting, and very rarely after the feeder touches the lake bed. A thinner line that sinks faster provides quicker and more visible bite indication.

In conclusion, my recent experiences at Horseshoe Lake have been incredibly educational and rewarding. By observing and talking to seasoned anglers and experimenting with new techniques such as the slow-sinking feeder and the bagging waggler, I have broadened my fishing knowledge. The slow-sinking feeder, in particular, has proven to be highly effective, yielding impressive catches of bream and the occasional carp. Adjusting my tackle, including opting for a softer rod and a thinner, faster-sinking line, has significantly improved my bite indication and overall success.

Learning and adapting to new methods not only makes fishing more engaging but also provides a competitive edge, especially in challenging conditions or during matches. As I continue to refine my techniques and experiment with different hook baits, I look forward to further enhancing my skills and achieving even greater success in future fishing endeavors.

A Different Way to Fish with a Feeder Rod: PVA Bags Instead of Feeders

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 09:19:00 +0000

Fishing with PVA bags in matches has recently gained popularity and has been producing great results for carp anglers for a long time. Feeder rods are typically designed for use with various types of feeders, including method, cage, and hybrid feeders. This style of fishing is very popular and is my personal favorite. It allows anglers to target all sizes and species of fish, from big carp using a method or hybrid feeder to small roach with a small cage in the winter.

In recent years, fishing for larger carp with feeder rods has become increasingly popular. Anglers have started adopting tactics from specimen carp fishing to target bigger carp. One of these tactics involves using PVA bags, either in mesh or solid form.

PVA Mesh

Fishing with PVA mesh is quite simple. The rig consists of a basic bomb setup, which can be inline on a small lead clip or on a snap link swivel. Another snap link is tied where the hook link will be attached. I prefer using a robust hook link, typically 0.22 to 0.24 line, with a size 10 hook and a standard hair rig or a rubber band if I intend to fish with a hard pellet.

The PVA bag can be simply hooked onto the hook for shorter casts. For longer casts, I like to thread the hook link through the bag for added security. The snap link swivel is very handy for this purpose, making it easy to change the hook link with the PVA bag. For fast fishing, you can even have several hook links with bags prepared and ready to clip in and cast out.

This method can be very productive, especially in shallow water when fishing for quick bites. The PVA mesh melts very quickly, much faster than pellets or groundbait would break down on a method feeder. As soon as the bait hits the water, it's ready to catch fish. Under the right conditions, fishing with PVA mesh can significantly increase your catch rate.

PVA Solid Bag

I like to build this rig using an elasticated feeder stem, an inline bomb, and a 3- or 4-inch hook link. The choice of hook and bag size depends on the weather; I use bigger bags if it's warmer and smaller ones if it's cooler, adjusting the amount of bait accordingly.

This method is very versatile as it can be fished at great distances. It's ready to catch fish within a minute of landing in the water, and a major advantage over other similar methods is that solid bags can be injected with liquids for high attraction. This is not possible with other methods and can make the difference between catching fish or not, especially in colder months when fish feed slowly.

The only drawback of this method is that solid bags are a bit time-consuming to tie and prepare. It's also very important to tie them very tight with the lead on the bottom of the bag so they can fly true.

Bait-wise, both methods are quite versatile. In mesh or solid bags, you can add pellets of various sizes as well as boilie crush or soaked baits as long as it is not in water. When fishing at a distance with solid bags, I prefer micro pellets, fine boilie crush, or stick mix as these can be compacted much better than bigger particles, allowing the bag to fly and sink better as most of the air is out of the bag.

Fishing with PVA

As I normally use PVA when I fish with the heavy gear targeting specimens, I decided to dedicate a session just for match tactics with PVA after seeing some great weights coming out in matches fishing like this. I went to one of my local lakes that can be fished at distances up to 80 meters as I was curious how far and accurately I could fish with PVA mesh since I already know how well the solid bags fly.

When I got to my peg, after plumbing up, I decided on two swims: one at 60 meters and one at 75 meters. I started the session by baiting up 7 Guru bait-up feeders full of corn and pellets at 60 meters to try and draw the fish in, while the other swim I tried to pick up fish and build it up while fishing. My first few casts were on the long swim, waiting for the fish to gather around the bait. Nothing happened, and after around half an hour, I went back to the shorter line. In the first hour, I only managed to get 3 breams up to 1.5lb, maybe smaller.

Considering this, I decided to mainly target the long line and start building up the swim. The first bite came after less than 2 minutes and bites continued to come. Most of the fish were breams around 2lb with a few pushing 5lb. I was very surprised that after around 2 hours, no carp came, as the area is great for catching carp. The sun was up, and I saw plenty of carp cruising on the surface, which might explain the lack of carp bites. Around midday, the carp went round and it seemed that they made their way into my swim. The day continued with plenty of bites, including around 6 carp of which I lost two, and many bream.

Fishing with PVA proved to be very efficient, getting bites very fast after the bait got into the swim. Casting with a mesh bag felt much easier and more accurate than I imagined. It is a bit time-consuming to tie the mesh, especially when you are getting bites so fast. I also learned that making the PVA bags the same size makes it easier to be consistent when casting. Overall, experimenting with PVA bags instead of traditional feeders showed me a different and effective way to approach match fishing, blending tactics from specimen carp fishing with the dynamic nature of match angling. This method not only increased my catch rate but also added a new dimension to my fishing experience.

Harrison Acurix carp rods, my fancy set up.

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 08:41:00 +0000

My fancy carp rods…

Carp fishing with carp specialist gear was not something that presented any interest to me as my preferred method is the feeder rods. I was seeing carp rods way to heavy, stiff and uncomfortable to handle so it was never a plan to ever use any.

Fishing various venues, I start meeting carp anglers and we became friends in time, while fishing the same venues. I realized one significant advantage of carp rods over feeder rods: you don't have to constantly supervise them. Thanks to alarms and loose clutches, you can leave your carp rods on the pod and relax with a drink or chat without worrying that they'll get pulled in by a fish. This realization led me to consider investing in a carp specialist setup

During a random browse on Facebook Marketplace, I stumbled upon a set of three Daiwa Black Widow 12ft rods with a 3.5lb test curve. Although one had a damaged guide, I managed to negotiate the price down to £60, which seemed reasonable for my entry into carp fishing. I paired them with some affordable yet reliable big pit Decathlon reels, which also performed admirably on my distance feeder rod. In addition to the rods and reels, I purchased some bite alarms, terminal tackle, and, of course, boilies.

After a few sessions with the heavier gear, I really enjoyed the social part of it, as I was able to go around, talk to my mates and have brew without the worry of my rods getting puled in. I can’t say I had the same amount of joy playing the fish. Carp rods are heavy and fairly stiff compared to the feeder rods, due to this the main line has to be thicker and the hooks need to be bigger and stronger, so everything is balanced. Bigger crap still offer o great battle but you can’t feel much hooking a bream or a smaller fish and most venues that I fish have a mixt population of fish.

Again, wondering on marketplace I see a pair of Freespirit CTX carp rods almost new and half price. All my feeder rods are CTXs, I love how they feel and how they look with the cross pattern on the blank. This was my chance to try some higher quality carp rods and see if the fishing experience improves. Said and done, I bought the rods, the exact model was the 12ft 3.5tc S.U. On this rods I fell that some better reels would be more suitable so shortly after I got this rods I purchased a pair of Daiwa Emblem 45QD. These rods were much lighter than the previous ones and the reels felt perfect for them. More than anything I was amazed about how powerful they were as well as how good and accurate were casting, being able to easily cast a solid bag with a 3.5oz lead over 100m. The recovery on the blank was extremely fast, and I never had any issues with tangles around the tip. As good and fun they were for casting the exact same opposite was for playing fish. Most of the time If I hooked a bream, I did not even knew I had a fish until It was in front of me so slowly I started using them less and less until I almost stopped using them at all. Also there are not many waters that I fish and require such a powerful rod or casting extreme distances.

It has been around two years since I started fishing for carp with specialist gear. During this I also I also purchased a set of CTX creepers, 9ft 3lb which were much softer and playing fish was great on them. Unfortunately, the lakes that I fish the most require casting around 80-90m and I was struggling to reach that with them, so I had to give up on those as well.

These rods felt lightweight and reasonably soft, and upon closer inspection, it seemed they were either modified or prototypes, lacking logos and featuring different guides compared to the original ones. Eager to test them out, I planned several fishing outings, but due to work, studies, and other commitments, I only managed a couple of weekends before being tied up againTowards the end of last year, I stumbled upon another find on Marketplace: a set of Wichwood C301 rods, 12ft with a 3.25lb test curve. These rods felt lightweight and reasonably soft, and upon closer inspection, it seemed they were either modified or prototypes, lacking logos and featuring different guides compared to the original ones. I was eager to test them out, but due to work, studies, and other commitments, I only managed a couple of weekends out and those were matches.

A couple of months ago, while scrolling through Facebook, I noticed a friend of mine who frequently buys and sells carp tackle, particularly high-end gear. I've purchased Freespirit rods and other items from him before, but this time, he was selling a pair of Harrison Acurix custom rods built by Cotswold Rods. These rods looked incredible, featuring a 1k carbon wave blank with K guides and the Waveform ALPs reel seat. What caught my attention was not just their aesthetics but also their specs, 12ft length and a 2.75lb test curve. My friend spoke highly of them, and knowing his standards, I trusted his assessment of their performance. Further research revealed that these rods were designed to provide an exceptional experience while playing fish, unlike many modern carp rods solely focused on casting capabilities,

Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity to purchase them as the seller had a change of heart. The price was another hurdle, even though it was fair considering the cost of a new set, which typically runs just over £800 for two rods—still beyond my budget.

Despite missing out, I couldn't shake the thought of those rods. On a few occasions me and my mates discussed about them, and I ended up very curious by their performance. I liked them just for the looks and I had no idea how they would perform but I was hoping that the performance will math the price tag which is just over £400.

Again, on Facebook and I seen the same person making an auction for the same rods. Seeing this, I knew it was my chance, after a few hours of checking the auction again and again to see where it goes, I was waiting for the last minute to see who will push the highest bid and if I have any chance on buying them. I really wanted this set of rods, but my budget was limited. Less then a minute before the auction ended I placed my last bid, of just a few pounds over the previous bid. I closed the Facebook app. I didn’t want to see how other will bid more than that and not be able to get the rods.

To my big surprise short after I got a message from my mate saying that I got the rods. I was over the moon. This was Friday, I was abroad, and I was only getting back Monday night. But he sent ma a good amount of pictures to check until I was able to pick them up. I have managed to buy them cheap, much cheaper than I expected them to sell. My mate was quite fair and was no drama about the price.

Last days I finally managed to get them out and they stand up to their reputation. They are light and very soft for a carp rod but strong enough to cast around 100 meters comfortably. In my first day on the bank with them I managed to hook around 9 fish from 7 to 16lb and all felt great to play. The rods have a through action which can take any lounge from the fish.

I have fitted them with my Daiwa Emblem 35 qd reels, but such rods would deserve some high end reels. The only problem is that high end reels cost a fortune and they are way out of my budget. This being said, I know there are a few platforms that do online raffles for even as less as 39p. Looking on the Capital Catch website I seen three different raffles with reels, one was for a set of 3 Daiwa BASIAIR, this would have been the dream reels, a set of three Shimano power aero which are also great reels, and a set of three 23 Daiwa Emblem 45s. For the Daiwa BASIAIR and the Shimano reels I bought a few raffle tickets hoping for the best and I also purchased a ticket for the Daiwa Emblems worth 39p.

This happen at the start of the week, at the end of the week considering the may bank holiday me and my partner went on a mini holiday in Lake district. I totally forgot about the raffles as it is not something that I normally participate to. Sunday while we were having dinner I randomly checked my email and seen in on of the last email received “Congratulations, you are a winner!!”. My first reaction was to ignore it thinking it was a scam Email. But I still opened it and realised that I have won the Daiwa emblem reels. I could not believe it, I won 3 reels worth around £500 for just 39p.

Even though when I purchased the tickets I was hoping for the high end reels, the Emblems are more than welcome as they are great and reliable reels, extremely smooth and they look great.

Getting these rods felt like meeting a person that you like. Firstly you like the looks after that you find out certain things about them and finally you end up discovering what it is all about and I was not disappointed through any of these stages. Getting a new set of reels for them just toped up the experience. Now I look forward to some nights out on the bank with them and hopefully to test their limits with some bigger fish.

the first match of 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 08:49:00 +0000

This year, due to studies and work, I did not purchase as many match tickets as in previous years. So, my first match was a members' match for the Leamington AA members. The match took place on the Horseshoe Lake, which is the smaller lake at Jubilee pools. This lake holds a great number of tench, big bream, crucians, roach, and carp alongside the odd rudd, big perch, chub, and F1. It is quite a deep lake with parts of the lakebed very silty and parts covered in gravel (this being the best area to target).

At the draw, I got peg 22, which is at the end of the lake. It is an area that I haven’t fished before, which made it more interesting. Thankfully, a lovely gentleman who is very familiar with the lake told me that it is a great peg for tench and great to fish on a pole. I did not have a pole with me, but I was comfortable fishing close with a feeder rod. The weather seemed great and dry, except for the area of the lake that I was fishing, which was damp, very damp. On the positive side, while walking towards the peg, I met the lovely lady managing the fishery, and she was preparing bacon and sausage sandwiches for the anglers. I had a bacon sandwich, which was a great treat and gave me more energy to pass through the mini swamp around my peg.

After I set up my box, I had a good plumb around looking for clear spots to fish. I started casting a small marker lead from left to right and realized that in front of the pad on a radius of around 12m was clean with a gravel bottom. Further than that was quite soft, probably a mixture of mud and silt. I set up two lines, both at exactly 3 wraps so I could fish 11 meters out; one was 45 degrees to my right and one 45 degrees to my left. When the match started, I fed the right-hand side swim with green pellets, a few bits of corn, pinkies, and dead reds and let it rest for around an hour and a half. The right-hand side swim was only fed with betaine green groundbait and a few dead red maggots.

On the left-hand side, I fished with a light setup: a 9ft F1 rod, which is very soft, a small 3000- reel, and 5lb line. At the business end, I had a cage feeder running rig set up with a size 18 hook tied with a 4lb hook link. This setup was supposed to catch anything from roach to bigger bream and tench.

In the first 10 minutes, I managed to catch a bream around 2lb. I was quite happy with that start. Unfortunately, not much came in the next hour until, all of a sudden, I saw my rod tip going around very aggressively. I was very happy, thinking that it was a big tench as they have the power to pull like that. Soon I realized that it was no tench; it was way too strong. My light rod was being put to the test as well as the rest of the setup. After a few minutes, I managed to bring the fish close. It was a lovely mirror carp that fancied taking my size 18 hook and just a dead maggot. Unfortunately, this match carp did not count, but there is a prize for the biggest fish, so I was in the race for that. At the weigh-in, it showed 8lb and 2oz. I was still buzzing more about that battle that I had on the light tackle than the biggest fish prize. I knew that other anglers might catch even bigger fish.

The rest of the match was quite uneventful. I alternated the swims, trying to get the odd bite, but I only managed one more skimmer and a tench. Time passed quite fast, as even though not a lot of fish were feeding, a friend came by so we had a nice chat while waiting for bites.

At 3:00 pm, the end whistle blew, so I slowly started packing away. Not long after, the gents with the weigh-in came, and I had just a bit over 4lb. It was not great, but it was a lovely day spent in nature.

I got back to the car park where everyone was waiting for the final results. This was one of the best parts of the match as all anglers gathered around and had a bit of banter, discussing how their day had been, how and what fish they caught, etc. While this was happening, I heard my name being shouted, and it looked like my carp was the biggest fish of the day, which won me the prize for the biggest fish. I was quite lucky as the biggest fish after me was just an ounce smaller, so it was quite tight. The match was won with around 20lb, which demonstrated how hard the lake was fishing for the day.

At the end of the day, I still think that these club matches are the most enjoyable as there is not a lot of pressure, and everyone just wants to have a great day out. Now, I am looking forward to the next one and hopefully a better result.

Finally, out on the bank!!

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

After a very busy start of the year mixed with a lot of bad weather I managed to get out and catch a few fish. This was not planned, I woke up around 7;00 ready for my Tuesday university lectures. I random idea to check the weather came to my head. The forecast looked decent for today mostly dry with a low probably of a sprinkle at the early hours, but that was good enough. Felling a bit guilty for missing my lectures I just loaded the fishing gear in the car and head towards my favourite lake in the whole world. I do not like to miss school but as I already finished my assignments, I was happy to take a break which was much needed after such a long time far from the banks,

Upon arrival to my surprise, was very busy for a Tuesday, but still a few decent pegs to setup on. As the trip was very spontaneous. I had no bait prepared or any life bait such as maggots or warms, I just grabbed a bag of micro pellets on my way out and a tin of corn from Aldi where I went to grab a snack for the day. The bait tray was very simple soaked micro pellets with some Mainlines sticky syrup for the method feeder and a tub with sweet corn mixed with micros to bait up also some hook baits. .

Swim choice was quite easy as I fished this peg before I know that close to the island was the way to go as the rest of the swim was quite silty. I was clipped up at 17 wraps a few feet from the edge of the island. In the summer I would go very close but considering that the water is still cold I don’t think being right on the edge in the shallow water would have been to productive.

I started without baiting up as I wasn’t sure exactly how active are the fish planning to cast every 10 minutes considering the colder weather and the water temperature. After half an hour and a bream I notice that the angler next to me was spoding, and bites would come soon after. Considering that I put in five guru bait up feeders with corn and micros the same spot and some after the tip went round.

From that point on, nothing unusual happened I had constant bites coming between 3 and 8 minutes, when was slowing down a bit I would put four or five bait up feeders with the same mix and bites would come again, unfortunately I did not have a keep net with me nor I clicked every fish to get a better view of how much fish I had altogether but was every busy day catching only bream from approximately 2lb to 7lb.

For this session I used a 12ft CTX power feeder special equipped with Daiwa Tdr distance reel, it is a bit overkill for a 50m cast but due to the strong side wind I had to cast with more force to hit the target. For this was also used a 45g Preston method feeder. At de very end side I used a big size 10 (I was not messing around)MCM hook with a bait spike that impaled, either an 6mm essential cell yellow wafter or a Sonu 10 mm band-um sinker in yellow as well.

Overall was a great session, with a lot of activity, a big carp would have been awesome but I know the area is not great to catch the big warriors, so we will leave that from next time. Apart from this I have seen and felt the warmth of the sun. Even though it was just for a few short minutes was very welcomed considering the recent weather.

fishing a new venue

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 23:43:00 +0000

How do I tackle a new venue

Gearing up to explore a fresh fishing venue? Brace yourself for a dose of challenge and excitement! Let's face it, getting the hang of a new spot can be a bit tricky for any angler. But don't worry, I've got some crafty tricks up my sleeve that can give you a leg up and turn a "so-so" fishing day into an absolute feast of bites and catches.

In this post, I will talk about my go-to strategies for tackling new venues. Ever wondered how to stack the odds in your favor, even when you're fishing blind? Well, I've got an example for you – my recent trip to College Pool, a a small lake within the Leamington AA. This cozy lake is has carp, a bunch of silverfish, and perch that keep you very busy. My aim for the day? Catch as many as possible.

If you're excited about discovering how to turn a new fishing spot into your personal playground, you're in luck. I'm here to share my secrets on getting the most out of a fresh fishing location.

When I arrived at the venue, I wasn't sure where to fish, being unfamiliar with the lake. So, I decided to take a stroll around the lake. With a few other anglers in sight, I struck up conversations with a couple of them. It turns out that the lake has some significant depths – even up to 20 feet in certain areas. Moreover, one end of the lake isn't as deep as the other. Taking into account this information and the warm weather, I chose the shallower side of the lake for today, settling on the first peg. I particularly liked this spot because it was bordered by lily pads, offering excellent cover for fish ofering a good starting point.

Once I had my seat box set up, I grabbed my baiting up rod and began to map out the underwater terrain. I prefer using the baiting up rod due to its stiffness and the braided line, which provides better feedback about what lies on the lake bed. To get a clear sense of my surroundings, I cast the marker lead from my right to my left, each cast about a meter apart within my fishing area. This process may take a little time, but it's likely to yield better results than even the most enticing baits. After I finished plumbing up, I discovered that the ares closer to the bank was packed with vegetation. However, about 30 meters out (roughly 10 wraps), close to the lilies, I found a clean area of silt or plants. This discovery strongly hinted that fish might be feeding in that spot.

Whenever I'm fishing in a new location or trying out a peg I haven't fished from before, I make it a habit to assess the surroundings. If there's a chance I'll fish there again soon, I might even take notes, ensuring I have a clear understanding of what's ahead for my next visit.

As it is summer time fish are feeding quite well so baiting up with plenty of bait can be the key for a successful session. I started with five big bait up feeders, loaded with a mix of micro pellets and corn in a 8:2 ratio and caped with ground bait all of this in the 30-meter swim which I discovers earlier next to the lily-pads and left it for 30 minutes for fish to settle over the baited area.

While this was happening I started throwing a pinch of maggots approx every 30 seconds a few meters in front of me so I can fish the whip over it. That was great fun for half an hour catching perch every minute if not more often. There were so many feeding as water looked like was boiling every time maggots hit the surface many of them even jumping out.

After a round of lively whip/perch fishing, I decided it was time to shift my focus towards the swim that I feed previously hoping for some bigger fish. I opted for a small 20g Preston method feeder, I paired it with a size 12 MCM hook, equipped with a bait spike. As for the bait itself my choice for the day was 6mm pink wafters.

Let me assure you, this paid off handsomely. The bites kept rolling in, and this time, a different kind of action emerged. My catches predominantly comprised bream, tipping the scales at an average of 3 pounds. However, there were a few heavyweights in the mix, boasting a weight of 5 to 6 pounds with the odd nice roach.

In conclusion, venturing into uncharted fishing waters is an adventure that requires a mix of strategy, adaptability, and a touch of intuition. As I've shared my journey through the unknown at College Pool, there are some key takeaways that can make a significant difference in your angling escapades.

First and foremost, the importance of gathering intel from fellow anglers cannot be overstated. Engaging in friendly chats and learning from their experiences can give you valuable insights about the venue's depths, quirks, and potential hotspots. This knowledge can be your best guide in making informed decisions for the day and future trips

Choosing the right fishing spot is a delicate decision between understanding the lake's topography and considering the prevailing weather conditions. My decision to opt for the shallower side of the lake and capitalize on the protective cover of lily pads showcased how such considerations can pave the way for success.

Equipping yourself with the right gear, like a baiting up rod, can provide you with better knowledge about the lake or river bed. This is critical in finding the spot where you need to fish to get the best out of your peg.

Baiting strategies are the heartbeat of a successful fishing session. Whether it's using a mix of micro pellets and corn in this case or ground bait and other particles, baiting up with care can transform the waters into a banquet for the fish. as well as choosing the fishing technique in this case the methid feedr and the whip to start with.

Ultimately, exploring new fishing spots is an endeavor that marries skill with discovery. The thrill of uncovering underwater treasures, from tiny perch to robust bream, and the strong carp adds a layer of excitement that keeps us coming back for more.

So, my fellow anglers, go forth with confidence, armed with the wisdom shared in this post. Approach each new venue with curiosity and an open mind, and who knows what extraordinary fishing experiences await you. Tight lines and happy angling!

Easy way to catch some crucian crap.

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:18:00 +0000

Join me on a delightful angling journey as we explore the easy and enjoyable way to catch crucian carp. Finding the right fishing spot is crucial, and I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a great place where you can catch this awesome fish.

In my quest to catch crucian carp I had several options as the Leamington angling association as multiple waters that hold crucians However, one stood out from the rest - Snitterfield reservoir. As I approached its entrance, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. The pathway to the reservoir feels like a natural tunnel leading to the water. Another great thing about Snitterfield reservoir is not only offered an abundance of crucian carp but also a variety of other fascinating species, including tench, bream roach carp, and even some extraordinary koi carp which I was fortunate enough to catch one last year when I visited the place.

With limited time available, I opted for a straightforward approach to make the most of my fishing session. Since Snitterfield reservoir, despite being a reservoir, fishing close is the key to success. So I chose to bring along my beloved whip and a lightweight 9ft feeder rod a comfortable chair and a small bivvy table, to use as a side tray,

For bait, I decided on half a pint of mixed maggots, and some micro pellets from my previous fishing session. To enhance the appeal for crucian carp, I added a touch of f1 sweet sticky syrup, as the F! love sweet baits.

With my whip and maggots as bait, I was catching plenty of small perch.. To my delight, I noticed fish activity near the upper layers of the water. Every time I threw maggots around my float, big swirls appeared, and the occasional perch leaped out of the water showing that the fish might feed in the upper layers. While catching small perch was enjoyable, my primary goal was to catch some crucian carp. Patience paid off when I noticed a distinct bite, completely different from the usual perch take where the float shots of like a rocket, this time the float went up then flat and went sideways It was evident that this was no perch! With a swift strike, I realized that the battle would be more challenging than expected. After an intense battle I successfully landed a large crucian carp, possibly the biggest I had ever caught. Mission accomplished, but I wanted more.

As the whip predominantly attracted baby perch, I decided to give my feeder rod a chance to shine. Opting for a small cage feeder with maggots as hook bait, positioned around 8 meters a bit to my right, I anticipated bigger catches. While I did manage to entice some lovely bream, those mischievous perch also took a liking to the bait, leaving little room for larger fish on the feed, I switched to a method feeder with a 6mm pink wafter hook bait. Success! Bites came one after another , with the majority being crucian carp, accompanied by decent-sized bream.

Though my fishing adventure lasted just three hours, it was a memorable and fruitful experience. The combination of whip and feeder techniques ensured a steady stream of catches, leaving me eagerly anticipating my return to Snitterfield reservoir. Next time, armed with my match gear, I look forward to spending more time on the water, hoping to see the full potential of this place

In conclusion catching crucian carp doesn't have to be a complicated endeavour. By finding the right fishing spot, embracing simplicity in preparations, and adapting to the conditions, you can enjoy an interactive and fulfilling angling experience. Snitterfield reservoir proved to be a magical setting, brimming with diverse fish species. So grab your gear, embark on your own fishing adventure, and create unforgettable memories in pursuit of the splendid crucian carp.

The big match qualifier

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:03:00 +0000

Let me share the story of a feeder match I participated in not long ago, this added added some excitement to my usual fishing sessions. This is not just about catching fish but about outperforming everyone else on the lake. Although I enjoy it, I must admit it can be quite stressful.

This time, I took part in a Feeder Master Qualifier at the renowned Barston Lakes. The final has a significant cash prize, making it one of the biggest matches I've ever fished. Naturally, I was eager to give it my best shot.

Minutes before the draw, I had a good chat with fellow anglers, discussing our strategies and hoping for a decent peg. When I draw my ticket, my enthusiasm waned as I discovered I had drawn peg 100. In my previous four matches there, I had drawn pegs 99, 102, and 101. Familiar with these pegs, I couldn't help feeling disappointed and uncertain.

Nonetheless, I remained positive and headed to my peg to set up my gear for the match. Given the silty nature of most of the swim finding a suitable fishing area proved challenging. After some exploration, I identified a promising spot about 28 meters out and another closer to my right. I prepared three rods: a 10 ft feeder rod for the closer swim, an 11 ft rod for the 28m swim, and a 12 ft rod for potential long-range searching for the fish,.

Baiting up was a crucial aspect, so I fed both swims with corn and 8 mm pellets, . The aim was to attract larger fish to the area. For hook bait, I used 6mm pink wafters on a size 10 round hook and the method was loaded with micro pellets soaked in a sweet liquid,

As the match commenced, the first hour proved slow with only a small bream caught. However, a couple of hours later, I landed a few more decent-sized breams. Around the three-hour mark, I started reeling in small carp, one after another, for about an hour. It seemed like a feeding frenzy, accompanied by the occasional big bream. Unfortunately, the bites abruptly stopped, and no further action occurred until the end of the match.

During the weigh-in, my catch totalled 42lb, which fell short as the section winner from the opposite bank recorded an impressive 130lb. While I didn't qualify and my draw was unfavourable, I was quite happy with the way I fished.. Ultimately, you can't catch fish if they aren't present in your swim. I remained hopeful for a better draw and a greater chance at success in future matches.

The whip

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Fri, 19 May 2023 09:38:00 +0000

A while back, during one of my visits to the local tackle shop, I stumbled upon a range of whips that instantly caught my attention. Their sleek designs and lightweight constructions cought my full attention. Coincidentally, the weekend was fast approaching, and I had signed up for a FeederMaster qualifier. My focus was firmly set on enhancing my casting accuracy, especially at longer ranges. It was not the most opportune time to delve into whip fishing, as all my efforts were directed toward perfecting my technique for the upcoming event,

As a passionate angler, I'm always looking for ways to improve my fishing skills. Recently, I had a day off from work, and I decided to spend it practicing my medium to long-range feeder fishing techniques. Since my main focus was on improving my casting accuracy, I wanted to fish at my favorite spot, a serene lake that has never failed to impress me. Before heading out, I stopped by the local tackle shop to stock up on bait. As I was walking towards the checkout, my eyes fell upon the whip previously mentioned .However, as I was leaving the tackle shop, my passion for fishing tackle overtook me, and I found myself unable to resist the allure of those whips. I went back to the display and picked out the 3.5m version since I already used a 3m and a 4m whip. It felt like the perfect in-between length for what I needed. As I drove towards the lake, I felt a rush of excitement mixed with a tinge of guilt for indulging in my love for fishing tackle This while hitting two traffic jams.

Finally, I arrived at the picturesque lake, filled with anticipation for a day of fishing. I loaded up the barrow with an assortment of tackle, carrying more than necessary. The recent wet weather had left my gear damp from the last match, so this outing presented the perfect opportunity to let everything dry out and be ready for action once again. The management of the lake deserves a special mention. Not only did they maintain the place immaculately, but they also provided a fleet of wheelbarrows for visitors like myself to transport the tackle effortlessly to their chosen fishing spots. It was a thoughtful touch that further enhanced the overall experience. With my barrow in tow, I made my way to the section of the lake that required longer casts. This was where I intended to set up my fishing box. I opted for a method feeder line, casting at approximately 75 meters, and a second line positioned at 57 meters. For the longer cast, I chose my trusty 13ft distance power feeder rod, while for the shorter line, the 12ft power feeder special came into play. This particular rod offeres a softer, more forgiving action, which was perfect for targeting smaller fish, as my focus for this line was primarily on bream. Both of my rods were equipped with 5000 reels, to maximize casting distance and ensure an easier retrieval .

With my fishing setup complete, I turned my attention to bait preparation. For the method feeder, I concocted a mixture of micro pellets combined with crushed pineapple boilies. The sweet aroma of the pineapple would surely entice the fish to investigate my offering. As for the cage feeder line, I opted for a blend of halibut ground bait mixed with a specific bream ground bait with a high content crushed corn. To further enhance the attraction, I added a pint of dead red maggots and a generous handful of corn to the mix. The combination promised to create an irresistible feeding frenzy.asd for hook baits used corn, dead reds or maggots.

Filled with hope and anticipation, I began my session by baiting up the shorter line with a substantial 6 big cage feeder, aiming to establish a concentrated feeding area. Simultaneously, I prepared a method feeder to fish for the first 30 minutes. This would allow the baited area to gather some fish. However, just as I was about to cast the method feeder, a sinking feeling washed over me. Something vital was missing from my carefully assembled gear. A closer inspection confirmed my fear—my landing net and, more importantly, the landing net pole were nowhere to be found. Disappointment filled my heart. With a determined mindset, I approached the anglers fishing nearby and kindly asked them to keep an eye on my tackle while drove home to get the net handle. Despite the setback, I kept a positive attitude I couldn’t leave that to ruin such a great day.

Finally, I managed to return to the fishing spot, armed with not one but two landing net poles just be sure, with the landing net securely set up, I was ready to dive back into the action. I eagerly cast the method feeder, aiming for the inviting edge of the island, hoping that the fish would be enticed by the irresistible combination of bait and technique.

While waiting for the method feeder to work its magic, I couldn't resist the temptation to pick up the whip and give it a go. I had prepared a delicate rig, using a 0.7-gram float on a 0.14 mainline, with a size 16 hook tied with 0.12 line. Carefully plumbing the depth in front of me. I introduced a few balls of the ground bait mix I had prepared for the cage feeder line, a tempting feeding zone.

Just as I was about to start fishing the whip, a sudden jolt of the feeder rod caught my attention. The tip bent over aggressively, indicating a fish had taken the bait. I swiftly grabbed the rod, feeling the power of the fish as it darted towards the right, hugging the island's edge. It was a spirited battle, and I could tell this was a decent size carp. However, despite my best efforts to turn the fish back, the pressure proved too much, and with a disheartening crack, the line snapped, leaving me empty-handed. It was not the outcome I had hoped for after the earlier mistake with the net pole, but I refused to let it dampen my spirits. Hope still burned bright within me.

Setting aside the feeder rods for a moment, I redirected my focus towards the whip. It was time to regain confidence and simply enjoy catching fish. I used on the hook two red maggots, presenting an irresistible temptation to the fish below. Almost immediately, the float disappeared beneath the water's surface, followed by another and another. Fish after fish graced my presence, with most of them being small skimmers and roach, occasionally accompanied by delightful surprises like big perch or roach. During the session, a hefty 3 lb bream came, and with the whip's finesse, I effortlessly brought it to the net. It was a testament to the whip's ability to handle a variety of fish with ease, enhancing the overall pleasure of the angling experience.

Although the whip had provided me with a constant action, It was time to refocus on my original goal for the day to improve my casting accuracy. With determination in my heart, I returned to the feeder rods, eager to improve, On the shorter line, I decided to introduce a couple more large baiting up feeders, creating a more enticing feeding area. With the cage helicopter set up and a hook baited with lively maggots, I carefully cast the feeder into the water, awaiting the bites. The tactic proved fruitful, bringing to the net a few bream. However, I was hoping for more consistent bites , Seeking to maximize my chances, I switched back to the method feeder approach. As the day neared its end, I found myself drawn once again to the edge of the island. There, I decided to focus my efforts using the method feeder, casting it precisely to the target spot. And just as the golden rays of the setting sunbathed the landscape, the rod tip bent with the weight of a powerful fish. It was a moment of pure joy, a testament to the effectiveness of the method feeder and the rewards it could bring. I beautiful mirror came, and the day felt complete,

In conclusion, it was a successful day of fishing despite some minor setbacks. Forgetting the landing net pole was a small hiccup, but it was quickly resolved. The whip proved to be a great tool to catch a variety of fish, while the feeder rods produced some nice bream and carp. The mix of micropellets and crushed pineapple boilies for the method feeder and ground bait mix with added dead red maggots and corn proved to be a winning combination. It is akways a great experience to fish in such a beautiful location, with a well-maintained fishery, and with friendly anglers around. Overall, it was a successful day of fishing, and great memories were made

Searching for the mighty tench.

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 15:20:00 +0000

The tench is an freshwater fish, widely regarded as one of the most pleasant species to catch in the United Kingdom. With the largest fish weighing in at over 15lbs landed by angler Darren Ward, these fish have varying shades of green and brown, and occasionally, a bright orange hue. I was fortunate enough to catch a young orange tench, and was amazed by its beauty.

Recently, I became a member of the Leamington Spa Angling Association, which has several very well-maintained lakes. One particular lake has been known to contain specimen tench, and I had been eager to try my luck with these fish for some time and despite the cold water, I could not wait any longer and decided to venture out.

I arrived at the reservoir around 9:00 PM armed with everything I had available that I considered to be good for catching trench. Since I was unfamiliar with the reservoir, I sought advice from a fellow angler who was fishing nearby, and he kindly suggested some areas where I might get afew bites. Knowing that will not be a day with to many bites I opted not to use the feeder rods, as it requires constant attention. On the other hand, using a carp rod would be too heavy for catching tench. I remembered I had two old 11ft pellet waggler rods, one rated at 20g and the other at 30g. These rods have a smooth through-action and are relatively soft, yet capable of handling decently sized fish. I equipped both rods with size 4000 reels and 8lb line. One of the rods was fitted with a method feeder and a size 12 hook, while the other had a running rig for use with a cage feeder or small bomb, with a 30cm hooklength tied to a size 14 hook.

As for bait, I was unsure of what would be most effective. Therefore, I prepared two different swims since I would be fishing with two rods. For the method feeder, I mixed micro pellets with liver liquid, which has an horrendous smell, but I had heard that tench are attracted to stinky baits. For the second line, I prepared a mix of corn, 4mm halibut pellets, a handful of micro pellets, maggots, and krill-flavoured luncheon meat. I added a bit of fishmeal ground bait to create a proper stinky bait bomb, and of course, a dash of liver liquid. For hookbaits, I used yellow wafters for the method feeder and maggots and worms for the second line.

both Lines were fished at 30 meters. The method feeder line was placed closer to the reeds on the left-hand side with no additional bait, except for what was on the method. The second line was placed further to the right, and I added three medium spombs of the mix created previously on top and started with two worms on the hook. During the first half of the day, there was no sign of any fish. Although the weather was sunny, the reservoir had no cover, and the cold breeze was quite strong. After several hours of no indications whatsoever, an angler fishing next to us showed us a huge pike sitting just under the tip of his rods, probably waiting for him to pull a roach so she could steal it. This broke the monotony for a few minutes.

It was mid day and still no sign of any fish except for the cheeky pike. I even climbed a tree in hopes of seeing some indication of fish around the lake, but still nothing. My fishing buddy, Big Dave, who was targeting carp, tried whip fishing with maggots close in, and after a few minutes, he caught a crayfish. Although it was not the intended catch, it was still better than nothing. After a few more minutes, he caught a perch, and both of us were relieved as a blank was avoided. As I released the perch, a couple of small beeps from my alarms caught my attention. At the time, my fishing partner and I thought it might have been the goose swimming by and touching the line. I did not pay much attention to it aas I was watching Big Dave, who was whip fishing. Just a few seconds later, one of my alarms started screaming and would not stop. I quickly grabbed the rod and tightened the drag, but it kept pulling line. It felt like I had hit the jackpot, and after a few minutes, I finally netted a pristine tench weighing around 5lb. I was so excited that I forgot to put it on the scales, but I did take a few pictures before releasing the fish back into the water.

After catching the target species, I cast my rod back with happiness and continued to watch Big Dave fish. His whip was rigged quite simple, with a pole float on some 0.15, 5lb line, a bulk of shots just over the hook length, and a size 18 hook tied with 2.6lb line, which was perfect for catching smaller fish like roach and small perch. He was feeding loose maggots and an used orange maggot on the size 18 F1 maggot hook. We both saw the float moving sideways slowly, and he set the hook. At first it felt like the hook was snagged on the bottom, but it then started moving sideways, and he had no way of pulling it out. We both thought it was either a big bream or a tench, but after a legendary fight, he managed to get the fish to the surface where I was standing ready with the landing net. To our surprise, it was a colossal perch weighing in at 2lb 6oz, the biggest perch we had ever seen. It was caught on a size 18 fine hook with less than 3lb line, which was quite an accomplishment. Even though we had come for the tench and carp, that fish was undoubtedly the highlight of the day.

Towards the end of the day, we caught another tench, which was a bit smaller than the previous one, weighing just over 4 pounds, but just as beautiful. The day ended great with a perch of a lifetime and some lovely tench. When the temperature rises, I plan on returning to this awesome reservoir in the hopes of catching some specimen tench and, who knows, what other great fish might take the bait.

This is me

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 21:03:00 +0000

As an avid angler, I have a passion for fishing that drives me to spend my free time on the water. My favourite fish to catch are carp and other freshwater species such as tench, roach, crucian carp, bream, and more. I love the thrill of the catch and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it.

When I'm fishing for carp, I like to use a heavier gear and wait patiently for the bigger fish to bite. I usually fish with a solid bag and enjoy experimenting with different baits and rigs to see what works best. I also enjoy sitting on a box with a feeder rod or a whip, happy with whatever fish come out of the water. There is something special about catching a fish, no matter how big or small. It is the sense of satisfaction that comes with creating something with your own hands and then seeing it work. Whether it's a simple rig or something more complex, I enjoy experimenting and trying out different setups to see what works best for the fish I'm trying to catch.

Another aspect of fishing that I enjoy is experimenting with different baits. I like to mix and match different flavours and smells to see what attracts the fish the most. It's exciting to see what works and what doesn't, and to adjust my tactics accordingly

In the end, fishing is not just a hobby for me. It's a way of life. Whether I'm catching big carp or small roach, I'm always happy to be on the water and enjoying the beauty of nature.

First outing of the year.

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 09:52:00 +0000

This year, I was excited to go carp fishing for the first time. However, my favourite peg was taken, so I settled on peg 23. I knew that the island, which was the hotspot for carp, was about 25 wraps away, and unfortunately, I only had my 9 ft 3.00 lb rods with me. While these are great rods for short-distance fishing, I knew I would have to cast farther for this particular spot.

After a few casts with a marker lead, I found some clean gravely areas around 20 wraps away and clipped there. It was a bit of a struggle to cast that far with the short rods and the side wind was not helpful, but most of my casts landed where they were supposed to. Once I chose my spot, I made a spod mix out of corn, some 10mm sweet boilies, a handful of micro pellets, and some crushed boilies for more flavour. I also added 2 scoops of zig mix to get a bit of cloud in the water, hoping to get the fish's attention faster.

I fished with 2 rods, one with a solid bag filled with micros and a yellow dumbbell wafer, and the second with a 2.5 ft zig rig with a 12 mm yellow pop-up trimmed around to look like a dumbbell. After about 1.5 hours, I had two consecutive bites on the zig rig, and I landed two lovely mirrors weighing around 12lbs each. Unfortunately, I then went through a quiet hour with no takes, but I didn't give up.

I decided to change the solid bag to a 16mm krill boilie, a bait that had worked well for me in the past on this lake. After just 5 minutes, the alarm started screaming, and I knew I had a bigger fish on the line. After a good battle, I finally landed a 21lb common carp, and I was more than pleased. The day continued with a 16 lb mirror and a couple more fish averaging 10 lbs.

Despite some challenges, my first carp fishing session was a great success. I learned that even with shorter rods, you can still cast fairly far and catch some fish with the right technique and bait. I can't wait to go again and see what else I can catch!

Aldi has all you need to catch some carp.

noreply@blogger.com (Flo) — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 23:30:00 +0000

Fishing can be an expensive hobby, with many anglers spending a fortune on high-end gear and branded bait. But what if you could catch carp without breaking the bank? That's what my fishing buddy Big Dave and I set out to do on our latest fishing trip. We challenged ourselves to use a budget of just £10 to buy bait and see if we could catch carp using unconventional ingredients. Most of the time, we fish with a mixture of boilies and pellets. But this time, we decided to give each other a budget of £10 to buy whatever bait we could find in a super market, The catch was that we could only use carp-specific baits on the hook.

With my £10, I bought two bags of frozen corn, a pack of porridge oats, a box of corn flakes, three tins of chickpeas, a tin of red beans, a pack of bread, and a tub of sriracha sauce. Yes, you read that right – sriracha sauce! I had heard some famous anglers using it, and I thought this was the best chance to try it out.

When I got to my peg, I mixed a bag of frozen corn with two tins of chickpeas, the tin of beans, a few good handfuls of porridge oats and cornflakes, and squirted about half of the sriracha sauce on top. The smell from that was a bit crazy; it looked and smelled more like a curry than a spod mix, but I had faith

I baited up with six big spombs around 75 meters towards the island in front of me and went to set up my rods. The left-hand side rod was set with a 15mm yellow wafter on a size 6 spinner rig , and the right-hand side rod with a zig rig, 6ft up in the water, made of a size 10 choddy hook and a 12 mm white pop up.

The baiting up and casting was not great because of the strong side wind, but after a couple of tries, I managed to cast the rods in the desired spot. Not long after, the rods went in, and I had a take in the zig rig. The carp was not huge but came in close. I casted the rod back, and not long after, the rod on the left-hand side was off. I knew the fish might be a bit bigger due to the size of the bait After a good fight, the fish was in the net – it wasn't the biggest, but a great looking fully-scaled mirror.

As the sun was out and the temperature rose, I thought the zig rig would be way more efficient than fishing on the bottom, so I soaked the bread and the rest of the porridge and corn flakes. This mix was very slow sinking, so it was very adequate for fishing up in the water. Every now and then, I chucked a few spombs over my rig, which most of the time triggered a bite. Plenty of fish came, most of them around 10 pounds, with a few a bit over and a couple a bit smaller

Overall, it was a great day with loads of fish caught by me and my friend who used similar ingredients. Without spending loads of money on expensive boilies, pellets, or branded zig mixes, we had an awesome day fishing for carp. It goes to show that sometimes, the unconventional approach can pay off.