The preparations have started in Nutrabaits HQ for our last show of the crazy show season.
It’s sure to be another mega busy show and our new EnerGize bait range will be available for the first time.
As always we have a fantastic line up of anglers for you to call by and have a chat with, Mark Holmes and Julian Cundiff will be on hand to answer all your carp fishing questions.
Not to forget, Jules special hook baits will be available for the last time so make sure to grab a pot before there gone.
I’m back out for my second day session of the week. There are five anglers booked on today; two were already fishing when I packed up yesterday. I thought I knew exactly where they’d be, but one had moved into the area I’d fished. Fortunately for me, he was packing up as I arrived.
The plan was simple: slip back into yesterday’s swim and let the other lads settle first. With the sun due to show properly later on, I wanted options — somewhere to move if the fish gave the game away.
Tactically, I kept things identical to yesterday, apart from one adjustment: a solid bag rotated through open water every hour or so, searching for fish rather than waiting for them to find me.
My approach was to use two rods, with Castaway-PVA small mesh bags paired with Orange Blank Saver hookbaits from Nutrabaits. The third rod was a solid bag approach with a 12mm pink pepper pop-up — a little visual edge, something slightly different, with a pouchful of Jurassic Particles hemp / Buckwheat.
10:25 hrs — the left-hand rod let out a couple of sharp bleeps before hooping round properly. I was on it instantly. The clutch was locked up tight; there’s no giving line in that swim with overhanging trees to the left. The objective was clear — apply steady side strain and encourage the carp to kite out into safer water.
It was a proper scrap. The fish tried to use everything it could, but steady pressure kept it clear of the snags and, just as importantly, away from the other line. A few tense minutes later, a lovely common slid over the cord.
18lb 13oz Common
Another February carp. That’ll do nicely.
Coffee in hand, I weighed up whether to move. I’d only seen one carp all morning — and it had just come from in front of me. Logic said stay put. I refreshed the right-hand rod with a new bag and punched it into a slightly different line in open water. I’m convinced they’re out there; it’s just a case of either dropping on them or spotting the slightest sign.
12:00 hrs — still debating a move, but with nothing concrete to go on. The sunshine was warming the bank, and comfort can sometimes cloud judgment. I held off.
13:30 hrs — decision made. I moved.
Now tucked under the trees but positioned so the warm wind pushed into the bank, with sunlight brushing the margin where the rods lay. I sat well back up the slope, keeping disturbance to a minimum. Two rods only — no need for a third. Each cast out with a tiny mesh bag and a fresh hookbait. Simple, precise, efficient.
The afternoon passed with the odd liner, just enough to keep the senses alert. I was certain fish would pass through, but nothing developed into a take. Slightly surprising, if I’m honest — it felt right.
By 17:30 hrs, it was time to wind in.
One bite, one fish. In February, that’s a result.
I’ll be back tomorrow for a social with Ian. That one will be more about putting the world to rights than watching the tips — although with 16 degrees forecast, I might just remind him that it’s definitely fishing weather again.
UK Carp & Coarse Fishing 