Weight –10lb 12oz
Catch – 11 Roach, 4 Bream, 3 Perch, 1 Tench, 1Rudd
Weather – Cold start, showery, chilly wind.
Match – Open – 10th
A really busy week with trips to Cardiff and London which will provide some financial breathing space, which will mean I can get back fishing more regularly and I may able to buy Sue a car albeit a cheap one. Fingers crossed.
After a long week, I wasn’t that bothered about going fishing this weekend, but Mark offered to pick me to fish Lands End and I thought why not, I haven’t been there for ages and to be honest was missing the place.
14 had turned for today’s match, 10 on match and 4 on the 4 corners of speci! There are very few fishery owners like Mike that give you so much room to fish a match. I wasn’t too bothered where I drew, but peg 3 would have been last on the list. Looking at the results from the last 2 matches, it had come close to bottom on both occasions.
Anyway, I had come for a days fishing and the peg can occasionally throw up a weight. However, with an increasingly strong wind blowing down the lake into peg 1 I wasn’t optimistic. So decided that targeting the silvers would be the best way forward.
On the all in, a few casters went in at 5m and in front of the platform on peg 2. A few micros & 4mms went in at 11.5m at the bottom of the shelf. I started tight to the far side to see whether I could pickup an early perch, before the wind got too strong. 1st drop in I had a small rudd, but the wind did get too strong, so concentrated at 5m and in front of the peg 2 platform.
After 45min I had only added 1 small roach, before 1½lb tench made an appearance at 5m. Although it was slow, I started to get a few small roach at 5m, but the platform swim only produced 2 perch, including a 2lber.
With 3hrs gone everyone except Anton on peg 21 were struggling for bites. The recent colder snap was having its effect, but fortunately the wind was dropping, so at least I could now fish the far side again. The top of the shelf produced only a couple of fish, plus 1 very decent perch that dropped the hook – again.
I had started feeding 4mm by catapult 14.5m to my left at the bottom of the far shelf, hoping to pull in a couple carp that were boshing on the corner the island, but I think they went in Anton’s direction, however I did pick up 3 decent skimmers on pellet, plus another over my micro pellet swim.
I tried dumping maggot & caster at the bottom of the near shelf, hoping for a late tench or big perch, but nothing.
Other than Anton who won with 100lb, Match Lake fished poorly with the next best weight on the lake of 28lb from the sheltered peg 16. 2nd on the day was Somerset’s rent boy Tom Thick with 50 odd pound, even his dad called him twat – lol.
Mark won the silvers from peg 25 with 19lb of skimmers & f1 on soft pellet.
A disappointing result, from a dodgy peg, but was glad to get back to Lands End.
Monday 28 February 2011
Monday 21 February 2011
20/02/11 - Fishponds
Weight – 97lb 10oz
Catch – 13 Carp.
Weather – Cloudy. Chilly light breeze
Match – Glenfall – 2nd
12 turned for today’s match. Graham Beevor & I sorted the pegs, because we both wanted to see less anglers pegged in the arm of the lake and ended up putting pegs 1 & 4 in, although in hindsight I would have swapped peg 4 with 3 to give peg 22 on the opposite bank more room.
I would have been happy with most pegs today and pulled peg 1 at the bottom of the arm, but at least this time I had more space to play with. This peg is a cracking pleasure peg, but in a match can be a bit hit or miss. After yesterdays practice session, I decided to be less aggressive with my feed and also swapped .15 & 16 B911 to .14 to 18 B911 on my pole rigs.
Settled on 5 swims, #1-the far bank feeding 8mm pellet, #2-13m at 1o’clock feeding micro pellet, #3- 12m at 11o’clock where it started to shallow up towards the end of the lake. The same rig would be used at 10m along the right bank at the bottom of the shelf. Swims #3 & 4 where both feed with 4mm pellet & corn. Swim #5 was down the left hand margin, but I never even tried here.
I started on the waggler & lead towards the far side as I let the pole swims settle, but nothing. After 40mins I could see a few fish being caught as I switched swim #2 with double red maggot, but it was another 10mins before I caught my 1st carp, which was a relief. Another followed 30mins later, but it was slow. Dave Bradley on peg 4 and Craig Davidge on peg 15 were setting the pace from the pegs I could see. My concern after my slow start was the wind had being blowing out of this end of the lake yesterday so I wasn’t convinced there would be many fish in the area.
After 3 hours I was up to 3 fish and felt I was about 4th from the anglers I could see, but there were 5 others I couldn’t see. To be honest I was chopping and changing too much, when I should just be patient. I had kept feeding 4x 8mm’s every 5mins to the far side and during the 4th hour I had 4 carp all on double corn and the tip. In the meantime I decided to up the feed over swims #3 & 4, instead of catapulting 15-20x 4mm’s every 15mins, I was now feeding every 10mins.
With 2 hours to go, the breeze picked up a little and it was starting feel cold, which lead to a few bank walkers trying to get warm. I decided to bin swim #2 to concentrate on swims #3 &4. I was still behind Dave & Craig, with reports that Graham Beevor was catching regularly from peg 10, as was Tim Allen on peg 12. So it was looking like I was fishing for 3rd.
My pole swims produced 4 carp (3 on corn and the other on pellet) which I surprised about, since I was expecting to catch more particularly towards the end of the match. I finished with 2 carp in the last ½ hour and knew I had beaten Craig who stopped catching with 90min to go. Although Dave was protesting he hadn’t caught much, but I knew it would be close.
Dave was 2nd to weigh after me and his 92lb was as close as expected. Grahams peg must have been solid, because he won with 174lb, fishing into the corner. I actually fancied his peg today, because yesterday there were some big fish crashing around and the wind had been blowing that way. Tim’s catch had been over estimated (never have Andy Bradley as a bank runner – he cant count). Craig claimed 4th spot with 65lb, leaving me with 2nd.
Catch – 13 Carp.
Weather – Cloudy. Chilly light breeze
Match – Glenfall – 2nd
12 turned for today’s match. Graham Beevor & I sorted the pegs, because we both wanted to see less anglers pegged in the arm of the lake and ended up putting pegs 1 & 4 in, although in hindsight I would have swapped peg 4 with 3 to give peg 22 on the opposite bank more room.
I would have been happy with most pegs today and pulled peg 1 at the bottom of the arm, but at least this time I had more space to play with. This peg is a cracking pleasure peg, but in a match can be a bit hit or miss. After yesterdays practice session, I decided to be less aggressive with my feed and also swapped .15 & 16 B911 to .14 to 18 B911 on my pole rigs.
Settled on 5 swims, #1-the far bank feeding 8mm pellet, #2-13m at 1o’clock feeding micro pellet, #3- 12m at 11o’clock where it started to shallow up towards the end of the lake. The same rig would be used at 10m along the right bank at the bottom of the shelf. Swims #3 & 4 where both feed with 4mm pellet & corn. Swim #5 was down the left hand margin, but I never even tried here.
I started on the waggler & lead towards the far side as I let the pole swims settle, but nothing. After 40mins I could see a few fish being caught as I switched swim #2 with double red maggot, but it was another 10mins before I caught my 1st carp, which was a relief. Another followed 30mins later, but it was slow. Dave Bradley on peg 4 and Craig Davidge on peg 15 were setting the pace from the pegs I could see. My concern after my slow start was the wind had being blowing out of this end of the lake yesterday so I wasn’t convinced there would be many fish in the area.
After 3 hours I was up to 3 fish and felt I was about 4th from the anglers I could see, but there were 5 others I couldn’t see. To be honest I was chopping and changing too much, when I should just be patient. I had kept feeding 4x 8mm’s every 5mins to the far side and during the 4th hour I had 4 carp all on double corn and the tip. In the meantime I decided to up the feed over swims #3 & 4, instead of catapulting 15-20x 4mm’s every 15mins, I was now feeding every 10mins.
With 2 hours to go, the breeze picked up a little and it was starting feel cold, which lead to a few bank walkers trying to get warm. I decided to bin swim #2 to concentrate on swims #3 &4. I was still behind Dave & Craig, with reports that Graham Beevor was catching regularly from peg 10, as was Tim Allen on peg 12. So it was looking like I was fishing for 3rd.
My pole swims produced 4 carp (3 on corn and the other on pellet) which I surprised about, since I was expecting to catch more particularly towards the end of the match. I finished with 2 carp in the last ½ hour and knew I had beaten Craig who stopped catching with 90min to go. Although Dave was protesting he hadn’t caught much, but I knew it would be close.
Dave was 2nd to weigh after me and his 92lb was as close as expected. Grahams peg must have been solid, because he won with 174lb, fishing into the corner. I actually fancied his peg today, because yesterday there were some big fish crashing around and the wind had been blowing that way. Tim’s catch had been over estimated (never have Andy Bradley as a bank runner – he cant count). Craig claimed 4th spot with 65lb, leaving me with 2nd.
Sunday 20 February 2011
19/02/11 - Fishponds
Weight – 55lb 2oz
Catch – 8 Carp.
Weather – Cloudy damp start. Sunny periods later
Today was a practice session to see how the lake was fishing before tomorrows match. As I was setting up Graham Beevor turned up with the same intention, so any thoughts of a quiet day had gone. Although he did make me smile when he received a phone call asking if he was still coming to his drumming lesson in an hours time! Graham, proceeded to tell the caller he only had 1 arm, which he lost in the war, so was unable to attend. The caller was very apologetic.
I really wanted to see whether I could catch on the waggler, using a 3AA Insert Waggler & 8mm pellet. Started on the tip & double corn. Although I had a carp after 10mins it was slow going. I tried the pellet cone and then a small feeder and caught on each method, but again very slow.
In the meantime, I had started to regularly fire 8mm pellet at 25m. When I tried the waggler, I initially started at half depth and gradually went deeper, until I started fishing on the deck in 9ft of water. I stayed on the waggler for much longer than I should have, but did catch 1 carp on 8mm pellet and 1 on corn later on.
I had also set up a pole swim at 11m, feeding micro pellet, mixed with groundbait, feeding 4mm over the top. Surprisingly I didn’t catch and had to set up a new swim to my left feeding only 4mms & a few bits of corn. I caught another carp here.
A frustrating day, because I was getting phantom bites, which were either liners or small fish pecking at the bait.
Catch – 8 Carp.
Weather – Cloudy damp start. Sunny periods later
Today was a practice session to see how the lake was fishing before tomorrows match. As I was setting up Graham Beevor turned up with the same intention, so any thoughts of a quiet day had gone. Although he did make me smile when he received a phone call asking if he was still coming to his drumming lesson in an hours time! Graham, proceeded to tell the caller he only had 1 arm, which he lost in the war, so was unable to attend. The caller was very apologetic.
I really wanted to see whether I could catch on the waggler, using a 3AA Insert Waggler & 8mm pellet. Started on the tip & double corn. Although I had a carp after 10mins it was slow going. I tried the pellet cone and then a small feeder and caught on each method, but again very slow.
In the meantime, I had started to regularly fire 8mm pellet at 25m. When I tried the waggler, I initially started at half depth and gradually went deeper, until I started fishing on the deck in 9ft of water. I stayed on the waggler for much longer than I should have, but did catch 1 carp on 8mm pellet and 1 on corn later on.
I had also set up a pole swim at 11m, feeding micro pellet, mixed with groundbait, feeding 4mm over the top. Surprisingly I didn’t catch and had to set up a new swim to my left feeding only 4mms & a few bits of corn. I caught another carp here.
A frustrating day, because I was getting phantom bites, which were either liners or small fish pecking at the bait.
Saturday 12 February 2011
11/02/11 - Lavington - Merretts Lake
Weight – 36lb 13oz
Catch – 9 Skimmers, 6 Carp, 5 Roach, 2 Crucians.
Weather – Mild, cloudy, sunny periods. Breezy
Snowdrops on the verge of the road, means spring is definitely on its way and I won’t be sorry to see the back of this winter.
Went fishing with Mark today, who following resigning from his job, was told he had take some unused holiday, so a fishing trip was arranged and tickets organised. I was just glad to get out, following a bout of proper flu and then looking after Sue for the last 2 weeks after she slipped a disc.
Have to say I’ve missed fishing matches regularly, however I sincerely hope as from April I will be more financially secure and as such will be able to get out more regularly. Following a period of turmoil at work, it appears my hard work over the last 18 months seems to be bearing fruit, with March and April potentially providing significant rewards, so fingers crossed.
Back to today and the mild weather meant we were really looking forward to a good day, particularly since Mark had fished the lake a few weeks ago catching carp on the lead & bread, including a PB of 21.5lb. The controlling club for the lake has a rather odd rule regarding bait. Pellet is banned, but you can use fishmeal based groundbait and paste, yet there is no limit on the amount of meat you can use. Weird.
Anyway, Mark organised the bait, unfortunately the 2pts of caster to be shared, included 1¼pt of floaters, which meant feeding options were a little restricted. Mark also gave me 2 bags Marukyu groundbait courtesy of Roy Marlow who was looking for some feedback on what is a new product. Marukyu are a Japanese firm who are trying to break into the UK market. They are different from the standard commercial or continental groundbaits. I tried the EFG130 which was a cold water formula, which had what looked like bits of seaweed in it, but apparently the amino acids, unique yeast extract and NORI (the sea weedy bit) trigger the fishes appetite. My initial assessment was the colour was too light for cold clear water, so mixed ½ a bag with ½ bag of black lake.
We settled on pegs 9 & 10, which would provide shelter from the wind. We both set up a lead rod and pole rigs to fish at 13m which was 7ft deep.
3 balls of feed were deposited at 13m with a pinch of caster and a few bits of corn, after which I tried the lead & double corn, but after 45mins and no fish it was time for the pole. Although I was looking for skimmers, there was a chance of a carp, so I set 0.6g Jean François, .11 hook length tied to an 18 silverfish pellet hook.
First put in with double maggot and a 3oz roach was soon swung in, but bites were difficult to come by. After a couple more roach, decided to pot another ball of feed and netted a skimmer almost immediately, but then nothing. This was strange.
Mark only had 1 small carp on the tip, but had fully expected a few more and the day wasn’t going according to plan. I thought the wind may have pushed the carp further down the lake or they were sitting half depth, but they certainly didn’t appear to be on the deck. I went to grab my waggler rod, but realised I hadn’t packed the right rod. Mark had similar ideas and did set up a waggler, but other than a couple of knocks from roach no bites were forthcoming.
As for my swim another pot of feed, produced a fish straight away, before bites dried up again. An extra couple of cm on the depth helped present the bait better, since there was a bit of tow. The fish seemed to be coming to the feed, before backing off, so decided to start feeding a nugget of groundbait, with caster & a couple bits of corn via a large toss pot every put in. This definitely improved matters. The roach disappeared and although I had to be patient for a bite I started to get a few skimmers as well as a couple crucians, with corn being the best bait. However, the fish definitely seemed to be sitting above the feed and I would have preferred to start regularly feeding caster and fishing half depth, but due to the caster disaster had to stay feeding the groundbait.
With the fish appearing to sit higher in the water, I started feeding the margins with caster, maggot & corn. Mark had been doing the same thing and with the day drawing to a close promptly caught 7 or 8 carp on corn, including 1 fish about 12-13lb to make up the bulk of his 65lb. My margin swim was very slow to get going, but I kept drip feeding caster & corn and eventually had 6 carp on corn.
As for the groundbait, did it make difference? Who can tell after 1 session? Mark used a darkened Sonu F1 mix. My silvers net went 8.12, whilst Marks weighed 5.10, so it certainly didn’t do any harm.
Catch – 9 Skimmers, 6 Carp, 5 Roach, 2 Crucians.
Weather – Mild, cloudy, sunny periods. Breezy
Snowdrops on the verge of the road, means spring is definitely on its way and I won’t be sorry to see the back of this winter.
Went fishing with Mark today, who following resigning from his job, was told he had take some unused holiday, so a fishing trip was arranged and tickets organised. I was just glad to get out, following a bout of proper flu and then looking after Sue for the last 2 weeks after she slipped a disc.
Have to say I’ve missed fishing matches regularly, however I sincerely hope as from April I will be more financially secure and as such will be able to get out more regularly. Following a period of turmoil at work, it appears my hard work over the last 18 months seems to be bearing fruit, with March and April potentially providing significant rewards, so fingers crossed.
Back to today and the mild weather meant we were really looking forward to a good day, particularly since Mark had fished the lake a few weeks ago catching carp on the lead & bread, including a PB of 21.5lb. The controlling club for the lake has a rather odd rule regarding bait. Pellet is banned, but you can use fishmeal based groundbait and paste, yet there is no limit on the amount of meat you can use. Weird.
Anyway, Mark organised the bait, unfortunately the 2pts of caster to be shared, included 1¼pt of floaters, which meant feeding options were a little restricted. Mark also gave me 2 bags Marukyu groundbait courtesy of Roy Marlow who was looking for some feedback on what is a new product. Marukyu are a Japanese firm who are trying to break into the UK market. They are different from the standard commercial or continental groundbaits. I tried the EFG130 which was a cold water formula, which had what looked like bits of seaweed in it, but apparently the amino acids, unique yeast extract and NORI (the sea weedy bit) trigger the fishes appetite. My initial assessment was the colour was too light for cold clear water, so mixed ½ a bag with ½ bag of black lake.
We settled on pegs 9 & 10, which would provide shelter from the wind. We both set up a lead rod and pole rigs to fish at 13m which was 7ft deep.
3 balls of feed were deposited at 13m with a pinch of caster and a few bits of corn, after which I tried the lead & double corn, but after 45mins and no fish it was time for the pole. Although I was looking for skimmers, there was a chance of a carp, so I set 0.6g Jean François, .11 hook length tied to an 18 silverfish pellet hook.
First put in with double maggot and a 3oz roach was soon swung in, but bites were difficult to come by. After a couple more roach, decided to pot another ball of feed and netted a skimmer almost immediately, but then nothing. This was strange.
Mark only had 1 small carp on the tip, but had fully expected a few more and the day wasn’t going according to plan. I thought the wind may have pushed the carp further down the lake or they were sitting half depth, but they certainly didn’t appear to be on the deck. I went to grab my waggler rod, but realised I hadn’t packed the right rod. Mark had similar ideas and did set up a waggler, but other than a couple of knocks from roach no bites were forthcoming.
As for my swim another pot of feed, produced a fish straight away, before bites dried up again. An extra couple of cm on the depth helped present the bait better, since there was a bit of tow. The fish seemed to be coming to the feed, before backing off, so decided to start feeding a nugget of groundbait, with caster & a couple bits of corn via a large toss pot every put in. This definitely improved matters. The roach disappeared and although I had to be patient for a bite I started to get a few skimmers as well as a couple crucians, with corn being the best bait. However, the fish definitely seemed to be sitting above the feed and I would have preferred to start regularly feeding caster and fishing half depth, but due to the caster disaster had to stay feeding the groundbait.
With the fish appearing to sit higher in the water, I started feeding the margins with caster, maggot & corn. Mark had been doing the same thing and with the day drawing to a close promptly caught 7 or 8 carp on corn, including 1 fish about 12-13lb to make up the bulk of his 65lb. My margin swim was very slow to get going, but I kept drip feeding caster & corn and eventually had 6 carp on corn.
As for the groundbait, did it make difference? Who can tell after 1 session? Mark used a darkened Sonu F1 mix. My silvers net went 8.12, whilst Marks weighed 5.10, so it certainly didn’t do any harm.
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