Weight – 250lb 7oz
Catch – 34 Carp, 1 Bream.
Weather – Sunny & warm.
Water Temp– 20.5c > 21.0c
It’s been a mixed and interesting week. Still no news regarding the 3rd party that wants to buy us, yet its been 1 of the most boring and quietest weeks I have experience at work. Regardless of what happens I’ll either receive a decent redundancy package or still have a job, even if that job isn’t what I want to do (trying to keep positive!).
On a more positive note Suzanne may actually be working soon. Admittedly it may be self employed which has its risks, but the opportunity does mean working from home. For the 1st time in a while, Sue has her sparkle back and there has been a sense of optimism in the Rayner household. Fingers crossed, because if Sue does gets the job, its mean I can get back to proper fishing.
As for today, I was back at my club water, thinking of breaking the 300lb barrier. I settled on corner peg 16, with the intention of fishing pole & paste. Decided on 3 swims. The 1st was 8m to my left along the margin, because that has been a reliable area in the past. The 2nd swim was 10m in front, because I’ve noticed the bigger fish tend to be caught in the open water. The 3rd swim was to be in the shallow corner to my right, but there was loads of small rudd on the surface, so 8 or 11mm pellet would be the bait.
As I started there was a few carp cruising the surface, in fact I swear 1 of the carp was chasing the rudd. 1st put in on the left hand swim I had a 6lb carp 1st cast, then nothing for another 45mins. This wasn’t in the script and I knew straight away 300lb wasn’t going to be possible. Perhaps I would have been better choosing an open water swim and fishing shallow?
Moving into the 2nd hour I started to get more indications, concentrating on the 10m line and a 17lb 1oz common was very welcome. You know when you have a proper munter when you have to shake the fish into the net!
As the session progressed, I didn’t bother with the right had swim, simply because I felt I would be spending more time pulling fish out of the reeds than actually fishing. The 10m line was definitely the best, whilst the left hand swim was a struggle, which was a surprise.
On the whole I felt the carp weren’t feeding properly, I had a few fish hooked around the mouth and I lost a few fish where the hook pulled for no particular reason. The issue today was high pressure had taken over from low pressure yesterday, where there was some heavy rain. Also I had brought 6mm pellet, instead of the usual 8mm. Normally I would throw a handful of pellet, but today I found it best to mould a fistful of pellet in to ball, so it sank quicker.
As expected the session improved as it moved into what was a beautiful evening. As well as the 17lber, I also had 4 more doubles, including a mirror of 14lb 2oz.
Just reading Tim Ford’s blog, I am glad to say I avoided killing the reed warbler, which was in attendance for most of the day.
I wont fishing next week, instead I will be preparing for a car boot sale on Sunday to get some much needed cash. Unless I fancy a mid week session, my next fishing trip will on Rushcombe Lake at Bullocks Farm practising for a club match.
Yesterday (Sunday) Suzanne & I went for a drive to take advantage of the good weather and we ended up at Lacock. As I looked over the road bridge there were 5 chub sitting in the flow, 1 of which can’t have been far away from 5lb. Have to say I started to feel nostalgic for the days when I used to regularly fish the river, but I never managed a river barbel (except for 1 of 3oz which doesn’t count) and I keep meaning to get back to the river and give it go.
Monday 29 June 2009
Sunday 21 June 2009
20/06/09 - Fishponds
Weight – 284lb 3oz
Catch – 39 Carp, 2 Bream.
Weather – Cloudy, sunny period. Breezy.
Water Temp– 19.5c > 19.5c
When I arrived I was hopeful the fish had stopped spawning and would be hungry. Generally, I don’t enjoy pleasure fishing, as much as I do match fishing, so when I do go, I set myself targets and todays target was to compare the pellet waggler, against the pole & paste.
I settled on peg 13 and started on the pellet waggler, fishing & feeding 8mm pellet. The intention was to spend the 1st 3 hours on the waggler and then fish the pole for the last 3 hours.
1st hour – 35lb. As soon as I started feeding, there were fish swirling and after 5 minutes I hooked what was obviously a big fish. 10 minutes later a cracking common of 12lb 4oz was safely landed. I had set up to 2 waggler rigs, 1 with a 12" hooklength and the other with a 6" hooklength. 4 more carp followed during the next hour on the shorter hooklength.
2nd hour – 14lb. I struggled to hook any fish, despite them swirling. I began to fiddle with my feeding and swapping rigs, but I couldn’t catch.
3rd hour – 72lb. Decided to switch to the pole early. I had fed 2 swims. The 1st was to my left on top of the shelf, next to the reeds and the 2nd was 10m to my right at the bottom of the shelf. I swapped between the 2 swims, hooking a fish almost every put in. A handful of 6mms after every fish kept the fish interested.
4th hour – 58lb. Another productive hour on the pole, with most fish coming from the deeper right hand swim.
5th hour – 53lb. With 2 hours to go I was on target to beat my PB weight of 258lb and wanted another go on the waggler. I had been feeding the swim whilst fishing the pole, but initially things were a little slow, however with more regular feed the fish showed in greater numbers.
6th hour – 52lb. Was 300lb possible? Well I wasn’t sure, but my PB certainly was. Unfortunately, I managed to break 2 rigs whilst trying to land fish, there was only so much abuse they could take. Both those lost fish and the time needed to set up new rigs, probably cost me 300lb, but I’m absolutely delighted to a get a PB weight.
As for the comparison between the waggler and pole, the pole was certainly better, particularly during the 3rd hour, but 100lb on the waggler in 3 hours is not to be sniffed at.
Catch – 39 Carp, 2 Bream.
Weather – Cloudy, sunny period. Breezy.
Water Temp– 19.5c > 19.5c
When I arrived I was hopeful the fish had stopped spawning and would be hungry. Generally, I don’t enjoy pleasure fishing, as much as I do match fishing, so when I do go, I set myself targets and todays target was to compare the pellet waggler, against the pole & paste.
I settled on peg 13 and started on the pellet waggler, fishing & feeding 8mm pellet. The intention was to spend the 1st 3 hours on the waggler and then fish the pole for the last 3 hours.
1st hour – 35lb. As soon as I started feeding, there were fish swirling and after 5 minutes I hooked what was obviously a big fish. 10 minutes later a cracking common of 12lb 4oz was safely landed. I had set up to 2 waggler rigs, 1 with a 12" hooklength and the other with a 6" hooklength. 4 more carp followed during the next hour on the shorter hooklength.
2nd hour – 14lb. I struggled to hook any fish, despite them swirling. I began to fiddle with my feeding and swapping rigs, but I couldn’t catch.
3rd hour – 72lb. Decided to switch to the pole early. I had fed 2 swims. The 1st was to my left on top of the shelf, next to the reeds and the 2nd was 10m to my right at the bottom of the shelf. I swapped between the 2 swims, hooking a fish almost every put in. A handful of 6mms after every fish kept the fish interested.
4th hour – 58lb. Another productive hour on the pole, with most fish coming from the deeper right hand swim.
5th hour – 53lb. With 2 hours to go I was on target to beat my PB weight of 258lb and wanted another go on the waggler. I had been feeding the swim whilst fishing the pole, but initially things were a little slow, however with more regular feed the fish showed in greater numbers.
6th hour – 52lb. Was 300lb possible? Well I wasn’t sure, but my PB certainly was. Unfortunately, I managed to break 2 rigs whilst trying to land fish, there was only so much abuse they could take. Both those lost fish and the time needed to set up new rigs, probably cost me 300lb, but I’m absolutely delighted to a get a PB weight.
As for the comparison between the waggler and pole, the pole was certainly better, particularly during the 3rd hour, but 100lb on the waggler in 3 hours is not to be sniffed at.
Friday 19 June 2009
18/06/09 - Winterbourne Duck Pond
Weight – 33lb 9oz
Catch – 54 Bream, 2 Hybrid, 1 Roach.
Weather – Cool, cloudy & windy.
Water Temp– 18.5c > 18.5c
Absolutely fed up with work. Nearly 2 weeks ago, it was announced my department would be sold to a 3rd party, which means more uncertainty. Normally, change doesn’t bother me, since I have been through this process on a number of occasions, however this time around, if the rumours are true, about how is buying us, it could mean the end of time at my employer. Ideally, a healthy redundancy package would be welcome.
Since I found myself getting more & more wound up, I decided to take a day off and settled on a visit to the duck pond, simply because it was local and cheap.
When I arrived there were a few carp slurping in the scum that had blown into the road wall, so I was hopeful of catching a few. I started on the pole at 10m along the wall, feeding micros & 4mm pellet. I also started feeding 4mm towards the island ready for the waggler, as well feeding pellet into the corner – right in the middle of scum.
I had my 1st fish on the 10m line after 15 minutes, but it was slow. A switch to the waggler was also slow, but eventually a few skimmers turned up on double red maggot and later 6mm expander. After nearly 2 hours I had 25 skimmers, with nothing bigger than 1lb, but the waggler swim was fading.
The 10m didn’t produce much and I eventually gave up on it. However the corner swim was a surprise. The hoped carp didn’t turn up, but I started catching some bigger skimmers, plus a 1lb plus roach, all on pellet.
As the session progressed I simply rotated between the waggler and the corner swim, catching mostly on the pellet. This despite the attention of some of over enthusiastic on lookers. Although I had to smile to myself, when 1 bloke turned with his son in his push chair, proudly saying he fished my swim yesterday, fishing the same way I was (I was in the corner when he arrived) and he had 12 skimmers in 4 hours. He then asked how I was doing, "35 skimmers in 3 hours" was my reply. He then hung around for 1 hour asking all sorts of questions about fishing. Just as well I wasn’t expecting any peace & quite.
Catch – 54 Bream, 2 Hybrid, 1 Roach.
Weather – Cool, cloudy & windy.
Water Temp– 18.5c > 18.5c
Absolutely fed up with work. Nearly 2 weeks ago, it was announced my department would be sold to a 3rd party, which means more uncertainty. Normally, change doesn’t bother me, since I have been through this process on a number of occasions, however this time around, if the rumours are true, about how is buying us, it could mean the end of time at my employer. Ideally, a healthy redundancy package would be welcome.
Since I found myself getting more & more wound up, I decided to take a day off and settled on a visit to the duck pond, simply because it was local and cheap.
When I arrived there were a few carp slurping in the scum that had blown into the road wall, so I was hopeful of catching a few. I started on the pole at 10m along the wall, feeding micros & 4mm pellet. I also started feeding 4mm towards the island ready for the waggler, as well feeding pellet into the corner – right in the middle of scum.
I had my 1st fish on the 10m line after 15 minutes, but it was slow. A switch to the waggler was also slow, but eventually a few skimmers turned up on double red maggot and later 6mm expander. After nearly 2 hours I had 25 skimmers, with nothing bigger than 1lb, but the waggler swim was fading.
The 10m didn’t produce much and I eventually gave up on it. However the corner swim was a surprise. The hoped carp didn’t turn up, but I started catching some bigger skimmers, plus a 1lb plus roach, all on pellet.
As the session progressed I simply rotated between the waggler and the corner swim, catching mostly on the pellet. This despite the attention of some of over enthusiastic on lookers. Although I had to smile to myself, when 1 bloke turned with his son in his push chair, proudly saying he fished my swim yesterday, fishing the same way I was (I was in the corner when he arrived) and he had 12 skimmers in 4 hours. He then asked how I was doing, "35 skimmers in 3 hours" was my reply. He then hung around for 1 hour asking all sorts of questions about fishing. Just as well I wasn’t expecting any peace & quite.
Tuesday 16 June 2009
14/06/09 - Fishponds
Weight – 77lb 9oz
Catch – 11 Carp, 1 Eel.
Weather – Warm & sunny. Slight breeze.
Water Temp– 19.5c > 20.0c
Match – Club Match – 2nd overall
The weather forecast was looking favourable, the issue would be, had the carp finished spawning. Alas no, the reeds were thrashing all around the lake. So coupled with 19 anglers fishing a difficult day was in prospect.
I fancied an open water draw so I could fish the waggler or long pole shallow, but peg 27 was in a corner and the waggler rods stayed in the bag. Stuart was on peg 1 opposite and I wasn’t really sure how it would fish.
Typically these pegs are great for a pleasure session, but in a match they can struggle.
There was certainly plenty of fish moving around, but not necessarily feeding. I decided to focus on 3 swims, left hand margin, 12m along the right hand bank & 8m in front, feeding 6 & 8mm pellet, fishing paste.
I spent the 1st 30 minutes on the 8m line, toss potting pellet, but never had a touch. The following 30 minutes I had a carp from each of my margins and was quite relieved, because I could see a number of carp being caught elsewhere, particular Chris on peg 22
The 2nd hour was brilliant, with 6 more carp, all from the right side and I began to think I was in for a really good day. However, the remainder of the match turned into a real struggle, with only another 3 carp landed, again from the right side. I couldn’t get bite from the 8m line or the left hand margin, which was frustrating.
From what I could see most anglers where struggling during the middle part of the match, which I half expected due the bright conditions. I had considered playing around and targeting the rudd, but decided against it since 1 carp would wipe out 1hrs worth of rudd bashing.
As the match drew to a close, my gut feeling was I had framed and I knew it would be close between myself and Chris on 22, however I couldn’t see everyone and the grapevine suggested Graham & Andy, both had a "few".
As I weighed everyone in, I soon realised I would frame. By the time we got to Chris, 54-13 was the best weight, but Chris topped that with 88-3, which I knew I couldn’t beat. Overall I was pleased to finish 2nd, particularly since I only lost 2 fish all match, despite a couple who unsuccessfully tried to make a bid for freedom by diving into the reeds.
After 2 rounds, I am leading the club championship.
1st Ken Rayner 61pts
2nd Ian Pople 59
3rd Graham Beevor 56
4th Andy Lord 55
Catch – 11 Carp, 1 Eel.
Weather – Warm & sunny. Slight breeze.
Water Temp– 19.5c > 20.0c
Match – Club Match – 2nd overall
The weather forecast was looking favourable, the issue would be, had the carp finished spawning. Alas no, the reeds were thrashing all around the lake. So coupled with 19 anglers fishing a difficult day was in prospect.
I fancied an open water draw so I could fish the waggler or long pole shallow, but peg 27 was in a corner and the waggler rods stayed in the bag. Stuart was on peg 1 opposite and I wasn’t really sure how it would fish.
Typically these pegs are great for a pleasure session, but in a match they can struggle.
There was certainly plenty of fish moving around, but not necessarily feeding. I decided to focus on 3 swims, left hand margin, 12m along the right hand bank & 8m in front, feeding 6 & 8mm pellet, fishing paste.
I spent the 1st 30 minutes on the 8m line, toss potting pellet, but never had a touch. The following 30 minutes I had a carp from each of my margins and was quite relieved, because I could see a number of carp being caught elsewhere, particular Chris on peg 22
The 2nd hour was brilliant, with 6 more carp, all from the right side and I began to think I was in for a really good day. However, the remainder of the match turned into a real struggle, with only another 3 carp landed, again from the right side. I couldn’t get bite from the 8m line or the left hand margin, which was frustrating.
From what I could see most anglers where struggling during the middle part of the match, which I half expected due the bright conditions. I had considered playing around and targeting the rudd, but decided against it since 1 carp would wipe out 1hrs worth of rudd bashing.
As the match drew to a close, my gut feeling was I had framed and I knew it would be close between myself and Chris on 22, however I couldn’t see everyone and the grapevine suggested Graham & Andy, both had a "few".
As I weighed everyone in, I soon realised I would frame. By the time we got to Chris, 54-13 was the best weight, but Chris topped that with 88-3, which I knew I couldn’t beat. Overall I was pleased to finish 2nd, particularly since I only lost 2 fish all match, despite a couple who unsuccessfully tried to make a bid for freedom by diving into the reeds.
After 2 rounds, I am leading the club championship.
1st Ken Rayner 61pts
2nd Ian Pople 59
3rd Graham Beevor 56
4th Andy Lord 55
Sunday 7 June 2009
06/06/09 - K&A Canal - Prison Pound
Weight – 28lb 8oz
Catch – 14 Bream, 4 Roach, 1 Perch.
Weather – Cool, strong easterly wind.
Water Temp– 20.0c > 19.5c
For a week or so we have seen hot sunshine, however leading up to today the weather started to cool down. Mark & I were expecting some heavy rain, instead we simply had a strong easterly wind, which would make fishing the pole difficult.
We both wanted to target the bream & tench that reside in the pound and we both had similar ideas on how we wanted to approach today. Start on the feeder, whilst letting the pole line at 11.5m settle. Both lines would be fed with groundbait, micro pellet, caster & corn, although I also loose fed 4mm pellet over my feeder line.
Mark drew 1st blood with a big bream on corn and I soon had a smaller one on maggot. After ½ hour I was 3-1 up, but we were both itching to get on the pole. As it turned out I could only get small roach, whilst Mark had a couple of bream and a crucian.
Despite the wind, I was still surprised not to have caught more on the pole, so I spent most of the session on the feeder, casting to small bush opposite, occasionally trying the pole.
After about 3 hours I had 10 Bream, but Mark was struggling and he could only catch Perch on his feeder line. The golden nugget was starting to look safe!
In the end we only stayed on for a further 90 mins, I still couldn’t catch on the pole and my feeder line had slowed, whilst Marks swim had completely died. The one thing that surprised us was the absense of tench. Although Mark had lost 1, I suspect the sudden cool weather may have put them off. I caught all my Bream on the feeder, mostly using double caster or corn.
Comparing notes at the end, although our tactics were similar there was some key differences. Firstly I was using .11 bottom, whilst Mark was using .14 & .16. Secondly Mark wasn’t loose feeding 4mm pellet over the top of his feeder line. Whether this made a difference, is difficult to say after 1 session, however I have successfully used this tactic a few times before when catching Bream, personally I think the pellet helps the bream keep searching for food.
Mark was disappointed to finished with 13lb, but I managed to pull 1 back to make it 2-3 for the year.
Catch – 14 Bream, 4 Roach, 1 Perch.
Weather – Cool, strong easterly wind.
Water Temp– 20.0c > 19.5c
For a week or so we have seen hot sunshine, however leading up to today the weather started to cool down. Mark & I were expecting some heavy rain, instead we simply had a strong easterly wind, which would make fishing the pole difficult.
We both wanted to target the bream & tench that reside in the pound and we both had similar ideas on how we wanted to approach today. Start on the feeder, whilst letting the pole line at 11.5m settle. Both lines would be fed with groundbait, micro pellet, caster & corn, although I also loose fed 4mm pellet over my feeder line.
Mark drew 1st blood with a big bream on corn and I soon had a smaller one on maggot. After ½ hour I was 3-1 up, but we were both itching to get on the pole. As it turned out I could only get small roach, whilst Mark had a couple of bream and a crucian.
Despite the wind, I was still surprised not to have caught more on the pole, so I spent most of the session on the feeder, casting to small bush opposite, occasionally trying the pole.
After about 3 hours I had 10 Bream, but Mark was struggling and he could only catch Perch on his feeder line. The golden nugget was starting to look safe!
In the end we only stayed on for a further 90 mins, I still couldn’t catch on the pole and my feeder line had slowed, whilst Marks swim had completely died. The one thing that surprised us was the absense of tench. Although Mark had lost 1, I suspect the sudden cool weather may have put them off. I caught all my Bream on the feeder, mostly using double caster or corn.
Comparing notes at the end, although our tactics were similar there was some key differences. Firstly I was using .11 bottom, whilst Mark was using .14 & .16. Secondly Mark wasn’t loose feeding 4mm pellet over the top of his feeder line. Whether this made a difference, is difficult to say after 1 session, however I have successfully used this tactic a few times before when catching Bream, personally I think the pellet helps the bream keep searching for food.
Mark was disappointed to finished with 13lb, but I managed to pull 1 back to make it 2-3 for the year.
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