UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

With the last mild night for the foreseeable future, Winter is just around the corner.  I had to push myself to set up in the day, I had not planned to do that anymore.  I’m just getting too old but seeing the forecast there was just no way I could miss this opportunity.

I had looked at the forecast over the past few days and the wind was going to be pushing from the East or North East.  I just didn’t fancy any swim with the wind in my face.  I was hoping to get in the same swim as last week, they seemed to be held up out there and possible to the right.  If that failed, I would head for another area which has produced fish for me on the past.  As luck would have it, it was free.

I knew where I was going put the right-hand rod and that was the same spot that I had the thirty from last week – at the bottom of the margin shelf in 8ft of water.  It would not be an easy cast as it was only a gentle flick and it’s even harder at night.

The left-hand rod, I was looking for a hard area passed where I had fished last week, the fish were clearly showing at range and just of the far margins.  I knew the rough direction that I need to aim for, from the horizon marker.  I would just have to lead about a bit to get the perfect range.  I managed this on my second cast and clipped up and sorted out the hook bait.  I had been doing very well on the Spotted Fin Prototype hook bait, so this would be my first choice of hook baits for the weekend.  With the bait on the spot first cast, I felt it touch down with a nice soft tap.

I had tipped the margin rod off with a couple of white Evolution Carp Tackle maggot, like last week, it’s always best to stick with what’s working.

It was time to get the kettle on and a bite to eat.

I was feeling quite confident as the evening progressed as I had received a few lines early on – they never materialized into anything.  I was up at first light, I really needed to make sure the right-hand rod was in the perfect spot.  I then also took the opportunity to rebait the other which had seen all the action.  I just had to check it out and make sure the rig was perfect, sure enough, it was.

Trying to do some products shots

As the day progressed the sun was shining and more people arrived to fish the Saturday night (much to my surprise).  After not seeing much by noon and the wind was from the east for a bit, I got the Deeper out and let it drift across the swim.  I discovered that the carp were clearly a lot slower to this bank than I had thought.  So, the long-distance rod was reeled in and recast for the afternoon or maybe longer, we shall see.

Could not resist the temptation to put a bait on them.

With no joy after 2 hrs and the carp back topping on the far margins again, it was time to get the rod all sorted for the night.  I decided the best option was to put the rods out on the same spots as the night before.

Think is going to be a cold one

At about 1930, the left-hand rod was screaming off and I quickly picked up the rod.  I connected to thin air and after checking the hook (which was still super sharp).  I can only assume it was a heavy liner or a trailing carp, which is never good.  The rest of the night passed me by with no activity at all.

With a lovely but fresh sunny morning, it was time to pack up and head home.

Until next time

Richard

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