A Big Stocky to Kick Off November! 🎣

After last week’s tough times and with no let-up in the weather, I knew it was going to be hard going. I only had two nights available, and the cold northerly winds were still blowing alongside that stubborn high pressure. I needed to arrive prepared for the possibility of reducing my bait levels, depending on the water temperatures and, more importantly, the carp’s movements.

On arrival, there was just one other angler setting up. The wind had a horrible bite to it, so I spent some time looking along the east banks, trying to find something encouraging. It was obvious that I needed to be on the back of the wind.

I eventually settled into the same swim I’d been fishing on my previous few trips to Meadow. First things first, I checked the surface temperature using my Deeper CHIRP, which registered 12.6°C, considerably better than I had expected. I can only assume the lower layers were warmer still, although unfortunately, I’d lost my Reuben Heaton thermometer, the one you can cast out.

Based on this information, I decided to stick with my original approach, putting out Jurassic particles mixed with Nutrabaits boilies and fishing a 24mm EnerGize Harded Hooker, combined with half a White Blank Saver wafter. The end tackle consisted of Hobo Armour components and Scruff’s 2oz Flat Distance leads.

Once I’d sorted my spots, I introduced six large Spombs and catapulted another ten 24mm EnerGize boilies, carefully avoiding the seagulls that were here in force.

My strategy was simple: sit tight and wait for a bite.

That wait lasted 36 hours after casting out, but when it finally happened, I was in for one hell of a battle!

The fight was absolutely full-on from start to finish. I knew I was attached to something special from the sheer power and weight I could feel through the rod. It held its ground numerous times before taking off into open water more often than I would have liked. Eventually, though, it slipped over the corded net.

Looking down into the net, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The sheer width of this fish was incredible. I knew I’d caught one of the carp I’d been targeting, but which one was the big question.

The dial on the scales eventually settled at 37 lb 15 oz.

After checking the photographs, it turned out to be the Big Stocky!

Happy days! What an incredible result and a fantastic way to kick off November. Sometimes, all that effort, patience and belief really do pay off.

Until next time,

Richard 🎣

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