May Update

This has been a shorter fishing month for me than I’d normally like. Between prepping for the camping trip and making sure all my gardening work was squared away, time has been tight, so I’ve only managed to squeeze in two proper sessions on the bank. That was always going to limit opportunities, but I went into it hoping the timing might still line up nicely—especially if the carp held off spawning.

As it turned out, they didn’t spawn in the first two weeks of May, which is unusual in itself. In my experience, when they hang in that pre-spawn phase for too long, they can become incredibly moody fish—showing themselves, drifting about, but never really committing to feeding. That’s exactly how it felt this month. Plenty of signs at times, enough to keep you interested and second-guessing your approach, but getting them to actually slip up was another matter entirely. Frustrating is probably the best word for it.

Result-wise, it wasn’t a standout month on paper. Just the two fish landed—a mid-twenty at 25lb and a small 3lb fish. Not the sort of tally I’d usually be satisfied with, especially considering the effort and observation that went in. But fishing’s never just about the numbers, and there’s always more going on beneath the surface.

The real highlight—and something I don’t take lightly—was landing my first 30-pounder from Airfield Lake this year. What made it even more significant is that it came earlier in the season than I’d normally expect. That, for me, is a proper result and a strong indication that certain elements of my approach are working well. It’s those little shifts in timing and understanding that often make the biggest difference over the long term.

More importantly, May has given me a few things to think about. I’ve picked up on subtle behaviour patterns, how the fish were reacting to the conditions, and where my approach either aligned—or didn’t quite match up—with what was happening in front of me. That sort of information is invaluable. It’s something I can take forward, refine, and apply next May when the situation inevitably presents itself again. That’s how you stay ahead—by learning, adapting, and not just repeating the same routine blindly.

Away from the fishing, the camping trip was a welcome change of pace. As always, it was a great break—simple, relaxed, and exactly what was needed. It’s easy to get wrapped up in chasing results, so stepping back and enjoying time outdoors differently resets things nicely.

All in all, not a prolific month in terms of captures, but far from a wasted one. There’s always value in time spent on the bank, even when the carp aren’t playing ball—and sometimes, those tougher months are the ones that teach you the most.