UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

Meadow Lake Session

Tuesday–Friday, Early November

The weather’s been playing havoc with my gardening jobs this week. Monday was a complete washout — I got rained on everywhere I went. Tuesday turned out better though, and as I’d managed to move a job forward, I suddenly had a free afternoon. Perfect timing, because the forecast showed a good blow coming in from the south — rain from noon onwards. These carp love a proper wind pushing down the lake, and it looked ideal for the next few days.

I’d already spent Saturday morning going through my Fish Deeper app on the computer, marking out a handful of potential winter spots. I wanted to familiarise myself with the lake again and explore a few new areas, so I’d dropped several pins on the map as possible targets.

When I arrived, there were only two swims available from the shortlist I’d picked out — one near the top of my list and one right at the bottom. Luckily, the better option was free, so I slipped straight in. First thing I always do is boot up the weather forecast again to get the most up-to-date information. As luck would have it, the rain had been pushed back by a few hours — which turned into about six — giving me plenty of dry time to set up properly and get everything sorted before the heavens opened.

I’m a firm believer in sticking with what I have confidence in, so I planned to continue with the same approach that worked so well on Airfield Lake — only tweaking things if needed. It’s a formula I trust. The only downside here is the number of Bream, which can be a nuisance, but my goal is to stick with it through November and reassess in early December.

Both rods were going out on the same spot this session — something I’ve been experimenting with recently as part of my winter tactics. I also wanted a slightly wider baited area than normal, encouraging the carp to move between mouthfuls and burn some energy before feeding again.

At 06:05 the left-hand rod went off — unfortunately, just a bream. Hopefully, the only one for the day.
A fresh bag went back out, and just as I was about to do the other rod, the rain finally arrived.

By 11:30 I reeled in and headed up the road to pick up a few new bags of Jurassic Particles. After a quick chat with a couple of lads back at the lake, I was soon back in the swim and topping up the baited area slowly. Around 3 p.m., I started hearing carp crashing to my right — couldn’t pinpoint exactly where, but they weren’t far away.

The afternoon and evening were full of promise. Carp were showing regularly around the corner, and with that warm southerly wind, I was confident they’d drift onto my baited area sooner or later.

Thursday Morning – 08:00 hrs

I woke after an amazing night’s sleep, genuinely surprised not to have had a pickup. The conditions had been spot-on. After some thought, I decided to stay a third night — they had to feed soon. Everything would remain exactly as it was: no new bait, rods left out for another 24 hours. It’s a method that’s served me well over the past 30-odd years.

Going into the last night, I was full of confidence. The carp were edging ever closer to my baited zone. The full moon was hidden behind clouds — perfect. I’ve always felt that clear skies and a full moon put the carp off feeding. Controversial, maybe, but in my experience, I never seem to catch under a bright full moon.

Thursday Night – 20:22 hrs

I’d been warned the carp here don’t always give great indications — more like a bream bite. The left-hand bobbin gave a couple of tiny bleeps. I was straight out of the bivvy. A couple more bleeps followed, so I hit it — instantly connected to a carp! It kited right, so I dropped the rod tip and kept steady pressure to steer it clear of the other line and the overhanging branches.

Under the rod tip, I flicked my head torch on low and was shocked by how clear the water was — a real change from Airfield Lake’s murk. Then, out of the gloom, a big common rolled over. Moments later, it slid into the net. Photos done, and away it went.

32lb 7oz Common

A superb result for my first session back on Meadow Lake — and a November carp to boot. Couldn’t ask for more.

A fresh bag went back out straight away. Fingers crossed it wasn’t just a one-off fish.

Friday Morning – 05:30 hrs

I was up early, listening for signs of carp. It was strangely quiet until around 06:15 when one crashed right in the baited zone. I hoped something might happen before pack-up at 10:00, but it wasn’t to be.
Time to sort the punctured barrow wheel at the tyre shop before heading anywhere near the club lake again.

Nothing else came of the morning, but I’m more than happy with the result — and full of ideas to build on next week.

Until next time,
Richard

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🍂 Autumn Particle Fishing – Jurassic Style! 🍂

When the leaves start to fall, particle fishing for carp really comes into its own – and when done right, it can be absolutely devastating. Here at Jurassic Particles, we know autumn is all about keeping those carp grubbing confidently on the spot.
🎯 Topping up is key – Getting the fish feeding is one thing, but keeping them there is another. As a general rule, fire out 8–10 spods after each fish. Always get a fresh rig positioned first, then top up afterwards – you’ll keep that feeding rhythm going nicely.

🌽 Keep it tight – Unlike boilie fishing, don’t go spreading bait all over the place. Carp feeding on particles stick close together, so focus on a tight 4–6ft wide area, with rigs side by side over the top. You can always drop one just off the edge too – that can nick you an extra bite!

💛 Blend in smartly – A classic autumn spod mix often includes maize or yellow baits – carp absolutely love them. If your spot’s full of yellow flecks, your yellow hookbait will blend in perfectly for those cautious feeders.

🥜 Mix it up – Carp can get totally locked onto the small seeds in a mix, so don’t forget to add some bigger food items like chopped nuts, maize, or crushed boilies. This helps keep them guessing – and gives you better hookbait options.

🧂 Add a pinch of rock salt – Carp can’t find salt naturally, but they crave it. Adding some to your prepped mix gives them what they’re after and keeps them coming back.

💧 Don’t forget the oil – A bit of oil in your mix helps create those lovely slicks when fish feed. Hemp is naturally oily, but an extra splash lets you read the water – when the surface flattens off, you’ll know they’re on the bait!

This autumn, keep your mix tight, your bait rich, and your feeding consistent – and the results will speak for themselves. 🎣

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Farewell to Airfield Lake

This trip didn’t get off to the best start. Before I’d even wet a line, one of the back wheels on my barrow had a puncture. Then, as I started unloading, I realised my bank sticks were still at home in the fishing cupboard — the very cupboard I’m meant to empty completely before every trip to avoid this exact situation. Clearly, a bit of fine-tuning is still needed in my system.

Thankfully, things soon took a turn for the better. Ian, ever the legend, brought down his pike pod to save the day, and to my relief, the swim I’d been baiting up all month was free. You guessed it — the same one as last week. History tells me this swim produces well at this time of year, and I’d have been daft not to fish it again.

The recent clock change threw me off slightly, though. Arriving an hour later than usual meant I’d missed my preferred baiting window — something I’ve found to be crucial in autumn when those early evening bites are often the difference between a quiet night and a memorable one. So, I wasted no time getting some bait in.

By the time darkness fell, rods were positioned perfectly, and I finally began to relax, music playing quietly as I lay back on the bedchair. Then, at 21:40, a single bleep from the left-hand rod turned into an absolute screamer. After a lively scrap, another beautiful common rolled into the net — my first fish of the trip. A cracking 22lb 14oz fish, and fittingly, it came to the Boilie Bites rod.

Just before midnight, at 23:31, the same rod tore off again. This one fought hard under the tip before slipping over the cord — a lovely 14lb 9oz common.

Then, in the early hours, 01:58, that rod was away yet again. This fish was far stronger, determined to bury itself in the snags to my left. I had to sink the tip and really lean into it, convinced a few times it had nicked a branch, but eventually I turned it and guided it over the net cord. Another solid 23lb 8oz common — a proper battle.

By 03:43, the left-hand rod was away again — another common, 18lb 1oz, safely landed after yet another tussle. Then, at 05:10, I was in again! Sleep was looking unlikely at this point, but I wasn’t complaining. Another muscular 21lb 14oz common made it five carp for the night.

By sunrise, I’d managed maybe two hours’ sleep between takes. I even had a small 12lb common around 07:40 before deciding to bait up early. I was shattered, but I wanted to see whether feeding at dawn would make a difference to the daytime activity. Ian arrived around nine, just as drizzle turned into a steady downpour. He pitched his brolly next to mine, and when the wind swung northerly, we were both grateful for the extra cover — it was bitterly cold. The carp had clearly moved off to the back of the wind, showing occasionally out in the calmer water.

It wasn’t until 15:31 that the right-hand rod finally burst into life, producing a lively 15lb 15oz common. After Ian headed home and darkness settled in, I crawled into the sleeping bag, thinking I might actually get some rest. No such luck — at 19:35, the right-hand rod screamed off. Another 21lb 14oz common, swiftly followed at 20:39 by a 19lb 1oz fish from the same spot. The carp were clearly on the feed again, despite the clear skies and dropping temperatures. Between bites, I took a moment to look up — the stars were dazzling, satellites sliding silently overhead, and I couldn’t help but smile.

At first light, around 06:30, a few bleeps turned out to be a small tench. As the sky glowed pink and gold over the tower and forest, I started to think about whether to stay another night or call it a trip. The barrow tyre needed fixing before next week, and with heavy rain and 40mph winds forecast, the idea of another sleepless, stormy night wasn’t exactly tempting.

Then, at 07:50, the left-hand rod was away again, only for the hook to pull in the margins — frustratingly close to double figures for the trip. Still, I stayed optimistic, and sure enough, at 08:53, another run began. This time I landed a solid 22lb 4oz common — my ninth carp and the perfect fish for a final water shot on Airfield Lake.

The results spoke for themselves. Across the session, I’d compared Boilie Bites to pellets in my solid PVA bags — the final tally was eleven takes (including the tench and lost fish), with nine of them coming to the Boilie Bites. A clear edge for the colder months ahead.

By mid-morning, I’d decided to call it a day. Time to say farewell to Airfield Lake until next March. The barrow issue meant a few extra trips to the car, but at 11:48, just as I was halfway through packing up, the left-hand rod tore off once more. After a strong fight in the calm water behind the wind, another pristine 23lb 10oz common slipped into the net — the perfect ending to an unforgettable session.

A fitting farewell indeed.

Until next time,
Richard

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