🚨 Robocarp Tee 🚨
This one is now back in stock!
Get it quick if you have been waiting, as they do not hang around…….
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Cajoler Powder
The glorious smelling Cajoler powder has been a popular addition to our range since its launch in 1986, many Nutrabaits’ users baits have benefitted from the intense rich, creamy, sweet taste and smell that is associated with its use.
One that gives any recipe that extra pulling power and a great edge in any recipe.
Combines superbly well with any flavours but has proven popular with Nature Identical Fruit, Cream or sweet flavours at a suggested inclusion rate of anything up to 4g per 500g of base mix.
Available in 100g pots complete with a measuring spoon to enable accurate inclusion levels.
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Wind, Rain and Persistence at Airfield Lake
After a couple of weeks away from the bank, enjoying a camping holiday, the carp had chosen the same period to spawn. For once, the timing couldn’t have worked out much better. With the spawning activity out of the way and a promising weather forecast on the horizon, I was itching to get back on the bank.
My original plan had been to arrive on Wednesday afternoon after finishing my gardening work for the week. However, the British weather had other ideas. Strong winds, heavy rain, and falling pressure were forecast—exactly the sort of conditions that have often produced results for me over the years. It didn’t take much convincing. Tuesday morning saw me cancelling my gardening jobs and loading the car for an early start.
Fully expecting to get soaked during the setup, I packed accordingly. Fortunately, luck was on my side. Apart from one short but heavy shower, I managed to get everything sorted in the dry. As I checked the rain radar while sitting under the shelter of the bivvy, I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty about cancelling work. A quick glance at the weather back home soon eased my conscience. The rain was hammering down there while I sat comfortably lakeside. It looked like I’d made the right decision.
The forecast southerly wind was due to reach gusts of around 40mph, making my favourite north-west corner of the lake the obvious choice. A quick look at the inlet showed plenty of fresh water pushing through, and all the signs pointed towards the First Island swim being the place to be. Better still, it was vacant when I arrived.
With dark clouds looming overhead, I made a beeline for getting camp organised. The Frontier was soon erected, the Fox bedchair assembled, and all the essentials tucked neatly away. Just as I finished, a heavy shower swept across the lake. Thankfully, my Fox barrow was already covered, and everything remained dry.
For the opening gambit, I decided to keep things simple. Both rods were positioned in the same area, each fished with a small Godman Angling mesh bag soaked in hemp oil and a 12mm White Blank Saver pop-up. A scattering of Co-De boilies completed the setup. There was no need to overcomplicate things at this stage; I would assess the situation later and adjust accordingly.
By mid-afternoon, confidence in the area was growing. One rod was switched to a 16½mm Wasp combination featuring a bottom bait topped with half a pop-up. The second rod followed shortly afterwards, armed with an EnerGize boilie and a matching pop-up topper. By early evening, both rods were fishing exactly as I wanted, and all that remained was to wait.
The first action came just after 9pm. The right-hand rod suddenly burst into life, but any excitement quickly turned to frustration. The fish—or whatever was attached—had found a submerged boulder that I’d never encountered before. For over thirty minutes, I alternated between applying pressure and giving slack line, hoping it would free itself. Eventually, there was no alternative but to pull for a break. It’s never a pleasant feeling losing tackle, but sometimes the lake wins.
After retying and repositioning the rod, I settled down for the night, hoping it wouldn’t happen again. The following morning began with the distant sound of aircraft from Bournemouth Airport passing overhead. I watched the water for a while before drifting back to sleep.
By breakfast time, the wind and rain were strengthening, so I took the opportunity to top up the area before conditions became too challenging. Shortly afterwards, the right-hand rod indicated a take. The fight felt unusual from the start. It lacked the dogged determination of a carp and didn’t have the typical nodding resistance of a tench.
The mystery was soon solved when a sizeable pike appeared beneath the rod tip. At 11lb 7oz, it was a decent fish and perhaps a sign that the predator population in the lake is steadily improving. After a quick photograph and release, the rod was returned to the spot, and my confidence continued to build alongside the strengthening wind.
Then came the moment I’d been waiting for.
At 4:48am, the left-hand rod absolutely tore off. The fish immediately powered towards the right-hand margin and the snags beyond, forcing me to apply maximum side strain to turn it. Several tense minutes followed as the carp repeatedly surged into open water before circling beneath the rod tip. Every gain seemed to be matched by another powerful run.
Eventually, after around fifteen minutes of tug-of-war, the net cord slipped beneath a broad bronze flank. An immaculate common carp of 18lb 11oz lay safely in the mesh.
Relief, more than anything else, washed over me. After 40 hours of effort, changing conditions, lost tackle and constant perseverance, the approach had finally produced a result. More importantly, it reinforced my confidence in the patient, selective tactics I’d been trying to employ in the hope of finding some of the lake’s larger residents.
The action wasn’t over. Late morning brought an aborted take on the same rod. The alarm screamed briefly before everything fell silent. One of those occurrences that leaves you scratching your head and wondering what happened beneath the surface.
Just thirty-five minutes later, however, there was no doubt. The left-hand rod tore off again, accompanied by a bow wave cutting across the shallow water. This fish immediately headed towards a notorious boulder that has cost me several carp over the years. As the line suddenly pinged against the obstruction, my heart sank. I was convinced the fish had gone.
Remarkably, it was still attached.
The power this carp displayed suggested something considerably larger, but when it finally rolled into the net, it proved to be one of Airfield Lake’s trademark hard-fighting doubles. At 11lb, it certainly punched well above its weight.
After all the earlier frustrations—the lost fish, the pike, the aborted take and various nuisance tench—it felt particularly satisfying to secure another carp. Fresh hookbait, a fresh mesh bag, and the rod was quickly repositioned.
The final night passed in complete silence. Not a single bleep disturbed the darkness. Given the conditions, I had expected more action, but fishing rarely follows the script we write in our heads.
Throughout the session, I experimented with several Nutrabaits hookbaits, but it was the EnerGize range that ultimately accounted for both carp. Baiting remained deliberately restrained, consisting of a handful of boilies, some pellets and occasional small Spombs of Jurassic particles.
My swim choice had been spot on, according to previous experience. The wind, pressure and water movement all looked ideal. Sometimes, however, the carp simply don’t respond as expected.
Looking back through old records, June has always been something of a mixed bag for me. Some years have produced exceptional catches, while others have been surprisingly difficult. Perhaps this session simply fell somewhere in between.
Regardless, two hard-earned commons, valuable observations and another enjoyable few days on the bank ensured the trip was far from a disappointment. As always, every session teaches you something, and this one was no exception.
Until next time, tight lines.
Richard
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Bergamot Essential Oil
A firm favourite with many Nutrabaits user over the years and responsible for the capture of big carp worldwide.
Can be used along with any good quality cream or fruit based flavour, for a unique taste and aroma that gives any finished bait a distinctive edge.
As a starting point, 4 drops of Bergamot Oil combined with 4-6ml of flavour being our recommendation per 500g of base mix.
This is the essential oil that we used to produce our classic Strawberry, Cream and Bergamot combination of attractors and believe me, Life doesn’t get great deal better than that when it comes to a twelve month-a-year bait label.
#nutrabaits #bigcarp #fishinglife #carpfishing #carpangling
UK Carp & Coarse Fishing 