UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

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I arrived down the lake just before midday and was very keen to head back over to where I was last time. But for some reason, I headed left at the gate to go and have a look at the Tower Point swims.

I was interested in one of the four swims going out into the Big Lake. The first one had a day angler pitched up in, I wandered down to the third swim, which took my fancy. I then headed off down to the end swim, I didn’t really fancy that swim, as it was due to be extremely hot for the coming days and that swim is very exposed. My swim choice was around shade again. However, I had packed my Fox Camo Tarpaulin and could use that. It was very useful when we were camping in Wales the other week and I didn’t fancy losing any more carp and wearing waders is getting a bit much in this heat.

With all this in mind, the third swim down the Tower Point looked interesting and more favorable – more than the first swim on the island.

The choice was made, and I hope the heat does spoil it for me. There was something telling me to fish here – the carp are pretty much everywhere now, after they finish spawning they just spread out.

I barrowed my kit down and processed to spomb out 5 kilos of Impact Particles.

I would stick out some 20mm Classic Corn Boilies once it got dark, the seagulls are a right pain.

There’s a Fast & Light under there somewhere!

I’m going to be sticking with PVA bags this session. I’ve been playing around with solid PVA bag stems recently with various sizes of pellets, as I’ve moved over to fishing large hook baits over particles. I think anglers generally do. I often try and do the opposite to everyone or the new trend of fishing style.

My first take was at 0303. I’d had a single bleep about 10 minutes before it melted off into the distance and after a very straightforward fight, my first carp was in the net.

The fish was between 10 and 12 lbs. Not a bad start and gives me confidence for the coming few nights. I clicked on a new bag and rig and launched it out there, then quickly got my head down before the dawn chorus started.

My second take happened at 0535. This time, it was to the left-hand rod, plus it felt a better fish than the last one. When it rolled, it turned out to be a mirror carp as well. I just needed to get it in the net, as it was going up and down the margins, trying to get near a snag – as they do.

It wasn’t long before it was ready for the net – happy days – fish no 2!

19lb 13oz Mirror carp, very leather looking as well, which is quite common on here. The sun was out, but it was surprisingly cold.

I soon had the rod back out there and quickly got my Pukka jacket on, to warm myself up, along with the first brew of the day.

The camp was still standing and hopefully, keep that heat off me over the coming days.

The rod was back out on the spot in the chilly north wind, with another fresh PVA bag and a 22mm big fish or a Krill wafter. I’m not 100% sure as I mixed up the pots or even the lids the other months.

I was nicely surprised that it didn’t feel that warm today, and under the tarp, it was very pleasant. I reeled in about 1pm, to go for a walkabout and have a chat with a fellow members. Ian is due down at some point this afternoon. There are a few clouds in the sky, it’s very nice when the sun goes behind them, my swim starts to go into the shade around 3 pm.

I put fresh baits and PVA bags out just before then. In the hope of getting an afternoon or early evening carp. It was also time for a late lunch of tuna and salad, am trying to keep things a bit healthy.

The pressure is going to peak tomorrow at 1020 mbs and drop way down to 1009 MBS by Monday. The wind is pretty much in every direction, but mostly from the north or east, which will keep me cooler.

It was just after 11 p.m, and I had a drop back, which wasn’t attached to anything. I started to put a new bag on when I thought I heard Ian playing a carp. I grabbed my phone and head torch, and walked quietly down towards his swim. I didn’t want to wake him if I was just hearing crashing carp, I was right – he’d just netted a 17lb.

He was happy with that. I headed back off to my swim to get that bag out, I had just sat down on the bedchair and my other rod ripped off, after a straightforward fight, a lovely Common was in the net.

18lb 15oz. Two takes within a few minutes of each other, it was perfect timing for a short video and a few snaps. I now just needed to get this rod back out and get my head down.

Morning, was pretty quiet after the action in the night, with just a few lines randomly waking me up. It’s going to be another hot one, but the last for some time. The pressure is slowly starting to drop, the better nights to fish would be Saturday and Sunday, with a chance of rain on Sunday, and finally some wet stuff for the south.

Ian managed two more in the night and had to strip off and go wading at one point! Luckily, I didn’t pop over that time to help him out.

It was nice to be in the shade again. There was a lot less wind on the lake today which made the middle period of the day very hard going, I even had to get my Mini USB Cooler out.

https://videopress.com/v/dO6dZVxO?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&autoPlay=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

Mini cooler

I made the effort to get a new bag out and top up the swim at around 1 pm. I then hid in my shelter for the afternoon, by 5pm it was nice and cool, and time for tea.

The resident female blackbird was happy, I’d dropped a load of bait on the floor from my spomb. She’s been out there all weekend, so I can only assume that they must be still feeding young.

I’m hoping that tonight will at least bring a carp or two. I’ve actually moved my rods closer in due to a lot of liners last night.

At around 23.15, the left-hand rod melted off. I grabbed the rod and pulled into a carp, which, after about 30 seconds, it felt like it had dropped off. I was completely convinced of this and started reeling in slowly at first, because of the fact it had just fallen off and then faster. It was strange that I hadn’t connected with the lead yet. I realized the fish was running towards me very fast. I reeled in faster and then suddenly connected with the carp. It was running straight towards the bank and towards an overhanging tree. I gently guided the carp away and my leader knot was now on my spool. I was now putting on side strain, but not too much as the carp would miss the tree. I was still hugging the bottom and it felt like a lump. My net was now in the water and I was wanting to play the carp out under the tip when the hook pinged out. I’d not seen the fish or even felt it lunging, it was just the weight of the carp, it was just doing its thing. I just felt that I lost something bigger than I’d previously landed.

That sinking feeling lasts for a long time, and I’m not sure if I will get much sleep tonight.

At 2 am, the right rod gave a single bleep. It was my cue to go and have a wee before it belated off!

I’d just finished, and it gave another single bleep. It wouldn’t be long, and before I got in the bivvy door, it was away, and a cracking battle was underway. A close call to both margin overhanging trees, it was an adventure to get it under control and nicely played out in the margins. It was constantly trying to head right, but this one was mine.

28lb 7oz, I was well happy, and in a much better mood. Now I just need to get the rod back out, calm myself down, and get a couple of hours of sleep before my 8am alarm call, telling me I have 2 hours to get home.

As the weather man predicted, it’s cloudy, plus a tiny bit of a damp start to this Saturday morning. The wind is now pushing from the east. I’ve got my Wallop Clothing Puffa Jacket on again, keeping me warm.

As I am watching the lake at 0530 this morning, there are carp everywhere, and it’s looking like rain is coming very soon. Hopefully, it may well bring another carp my way.

Another take did come my way, in the middle of a heavy shower, but that fell off as well. It’s very unfortunate. I quickly got another bag back out, then got back into my bivvy to dry out a bit and have my first coffee of the day.

I’m hoping the rain doesn’t affect my packing up too much, as it’s nice to be home early for the family.

No more action was had and I left Ian to a very peaceful lake. He’d caught 5 fish by now and there was a good chance of making double figures by tomorrow morning.

Until next time

Richard

 

 

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I didn’t expect to be this hot setting up today, I hope the forecast is correct. The pressure is dropping, and cloudy days are coming .

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After a fantastic week away, camping in Wales at Quarry Lodge Campsite, we had splendid weather all week long.

I’m all set for a few weekends on the bank until the school holidays start in late July. The good weather continued when we came back, and this isn’t ideal for carp fishing. However, it’s really nice to be back on the bank again after the monster that lives in this lake. It has been seen by most and lost by a few, I can’t wait for someone to actually land the fish, as we will finally know the true size.

Due to the heat, my swim selection will be based on shade, and there’s a limited amount of swims available like that.

I certainly wasn’t rushing to set up in the heat. I arrived about 2pm and turned right after going through the gate. There are 4 swims this way that fitted my shade requirements, after not really that much looking and a quick chat with a fellow syndicate member, I pitched up out of the sunshine. I soon found myself back in the same swim I was in on my last trip, hopefully losing less carp, but getting more on the bank.

The wind was pushing from the northeast, straight into this swim, which was very refreshing and hopefully something the carp like as well. It’s been blowing in this direction for about two weeks, which is great.

It was certainly nice to be cooler than being stuck out in the open. I was kind enough to wait until the day angler had fished fishing, he was actually some way away, but I don’t like to disturb their fishing unless it’s really necessary and a storm is coming. He was off at 4pm and it fitted in quite nicely with my arrival and setting up at a slow pace. Once he was gone, I got the bait out onto my spots, flicked the rods out, set up camp, sat back, and got the Weber on the go, with my favorite Yorkshire pudding filled with chicken, potatoes, and pigs in a blanket. Perfect food after a few hard hours gardening, loading the car, plus setting up in this heat, hopefully, I will be rewarded with a carp or two.

Phone off and time to chill and see what the night brings.

Just after 11 pm, the right-hand rod was away, it was feeling good until suddenly the hook pinged out. Oh well, you can definitely tell I’m on the Airfield Lake. The rod was soon cast back on the spot, and the wind had picked up nicely.

That was the only action over the dark hours, I’m still hoping something will come my way over this morning into early afternoon.

Hopefully, I will be nicely shaded today by the trees, as it’s warming up.

Today was very uneventful. I did lead around to my left a little more and found a slightly better area to lower my bait onto. My fingers are crossed that this starts to pay off soon. It will be my fourth night focusing on that area with no action. It is so strange as I know they are passing over the bait, perhaps they just don’t feed there – yet.

I topped up the other area in the hope of another bite this evening or early morning, and just in case I abandoned the left-hand spot. I don’t fancy risking going further along, as it may put the fish’s welfare at risk and I don’t like to fish at all costs, it’s a style that many angles adopt.

A kingfisher momentarily perched on my rods today. Unfortunately, the light was all wrong at the time.

It’s time to get the Weber on the go again on tonight’s menu – lasagne and salad, after a tuna roll and salad at lunchtime. You may have noticed I’ve gone all healthy after the food poisoning that I had a few weeks back after my last trip! I had a rather doggy packing up time and for the next week, I was so rough, I never want to feel that ill for a long time.

24 hours had passed since my first take when the right-hand rod finally burst into life again. From the get-go, it was behaving like a small carp, but once it was within a few rod lengths it was off down the right-hand margins and it was a struggle to turn. If the hook pulled at this point, I would’ve wondered what I had lost. I gained control and after a pretty wild battle under the rod tip, this very wild Airfield Lake carp was in the net.

I didn’t weigh it as the mozzies were driving me crazy at this point, and there was no real need to put the carp under any more stress. It was probably about 12lb, not a monster (I’m afraid), but a carp and a blank saver. I can’t really complain about that.

The rod was cast back out with a fresh Spotted Fin Big Fish 22mm Wafter on. I’m trying a different approach on one rod with the hook baits in an attempt to catch the unknown beast of the lake.

Over the night, there wasn’t any more action, and by 9am, I’d switch the left hand further out and closer to a hump that the carp absolutely love. Getting the carp in from there is very problematic.

Once 11am arrives, I’ll probably move the right-hand rod and also nearer that area, depending on the next few hours.

Ian’s due to pop down today to collect a few bits and bobs and hopefully will stay for a brew. If I’m lucky, get some action footage in!

The pressure has dropped from 1020 MBS to 1012 MBS, and I’m hoping will produce a bit more action. I’m going to switch over to both rods in open water tonight and possibly PVA bags, I need to put a bit of thought into catching a couple of carp over my last 24 hours.

I switched things around a bit today in an attempt to get a bite at some point, unfortunately, it’s nearly 6pm. I’m still hoping something happens before 9 pm when I going to move them both over to the open water spot, where I’ve managed to pick up the only two bites so far of the trip.

The conditions are awesome this afternoon – hot and sunny. The wind has really picked up and pushed onto this bank. Last night, the carp was all over the shallower areas in the late afternoon/early evening and stupidly I didn’t move one rod. I’m hoping for the same tonight. They appear to be later coming, I’ve even switched over to small bags and 15mm wafter. There’s no point in leaving them where they are as the carp will have me around a boulder before I get out of the bivvy! I’ve been sitting on my chair with my waders on all day, waiting and hoping.

Just before 10pm, the repositioned left-hand rod was away, and heading hard left along the margins. This resulted in my going through the brambles on a mission to retrieve it. There was a lot of crashing and snapping of branches, with me removing a fallen tree, which was a lot more rotten than my last expedition to remove it after losing a carp in there a few weeks back. This time I got the rig back, no carp attached.

Hopefully, I may have fixed the issue, but I probably need to investigate again and clear a bit more away. Otherwise, it’s pointless to fish this swim. Dead trees do fall down at some point and aren’t always easy to spot.

With the rod back out there, I’m hoping for another bite, and with my handy work, a carp in the net.

I’m always amazed at how carp are fully aware of their surroundings, this tree must have come down over this winter, and with every take, I get them heading left, whereas before it was 50/50 as there was no snag for them to unhook themselves on. Now they are straight towards it, hopefully, they will discover it’s gone and go back to how they were before.

The next take was at around 0230 on the left-hand rod again, and I wasn’t going to lose this one. Waders on and straight out of the bivvy, I picked the rod up and instantly started gaining ground. I kept an eye on which direction the line was heading away from the tip eye. Luckily, it was staying pretty much in the middle of my swim and only tried to go right, once under the rod tip, which at this point the carp was fully in my control.

18lb 12oz and full of joy again after being extremely grumpy after losing the one earlier. I soon had the fish back and the bait back out there. Time for a few more hours kip.

I was up by 7am and getting the kit sorted. The right-hand rod gave a couple of bleeps, and the tip was knocking. I slackened off the line, dropped the bobbin down and it pulled up straight away. I grabbed the rod and pulled into a carp, which was on for a few minutes before yet another hook pull happens.

Not great news, as it’s 3 lost carp and only two landed this trip. The kit was all sorted by 9am and I was off home before the day got way too hot for me!

Until next time

Richard

 

 

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Fingers crossed for the next few nights.

Richard

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