UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

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.

Until next time,

Richard