UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

With the pressure still way down low, about 980 mbs, I needed to get back out on the bank this week before it all changes next week. The forecast was saying that there’s a gap in the rain between 1100 and 1300 hrs, which turned out to be rubbish as usual, along with strong winds, which were not happening either.

I arrived down the lake around 0930 to find only one other crazy person finishing setting up in Duck. I took a slow drive around the lake in the rain, stopped in the Winter Sanctuary Swim, wound the window down, and watched the water for 10 minutes as it was pretty calm out there. I didn’t spot a thing. I drove on, pulling up in a couple of day swims and also seeing nothing. I then got to the No Carp Swim and parked up, watching the water again for some time, and mulled over my options. On the way here, I had ruled out going back to Night Ropes, as I felt, after chatting with a couple of other people, that they were not really having it in there. Plus, I didn’t feel that the two main target fish would be in there, and as conditions favored No Carp, it felt like a good option. The only other swim I fancied was the Winter Sanctuary, but this rain clearly wasn’t abating, and setting up in there wasn’t going to be the best. That was also the same for The Gap Swim. Also, on my radar heading down here, I had promised myself that when No Carp was in prime condition, I would fish it. That was settled then.

Setting up was fun; I discovered my Aqua bivvy wasn’t so waterproof anymore. I got caught in a heavy downpour before I could get the overwrap on, which I waterproof every year. Perhaps the bivvy itself needs to be done. I got that all sorted, along with 75% of my kit. It was then time to hide away for a bit, get a brew on, dry off, and contemplate my options. By now, three other anglers had arrived with the same plan as myself. There were going to be a few wet people about today. I had also seen a few carp topping in open water, not quite where I had planned on casting. My rods were pointing more to my left. I quickly punched both rods with fresh baits on as hard as I could out as far as they would go and planned to leave them there until the rain died away enough to get some bait out. But I’m actually not sure where now. That was something that needed a great deal of thought this afternoon, plus watching the water.

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By 1500 hrs, the weather was showing signs of clearing, and by 1600 hrs, the sun was shining, making the lake look absolutely stunning. The temperature was now dropping. I had picked my spots, put a few spombs out, and had forgotten about the full moon until it appeared over the trees, lighting up the lake. I’m not a fan of full moons, as I simply don’t catch anything.

My thoughts on this are pretty simple: carp really don’t like full moons either, but big carp have to feed regularly, and they just carry on regardless. This means that if, by chance, you catch on a full moon, it’s going to be a big one only.

I did hear a couple of lumps out in the dark, but I couldn’t locate their position as the wind had picked up. They were close by, which gave me confidence. They all sounded big.

By morning, my confidence had dropped. I was up by 0600 hrs taking photographs of the moon going down and the sun coming up.

Then a big lump crashed out, and I knew where they were. I reeled in one of my rods, checked the bait and the hook, and flicked it out there, hoping by 1030 it would go off, as that would be packing up time for me. There had already been a few people driving around looking for swims and setting up in the dark. It must be one of those weekends when everyone comes out. Spring is getting closer as well, and the empty winter months will be fading away.

I gave it until about 10:30, and my kit was all in the car. About an hour ago, I thought it was going to pour down again. I didn’t fancy getting wet all over again.

Until next time,

Richard