UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

Trip 81 Carp Fishing 2017

Posted on September 28, 2017 by richardhandel

I Just couldn’t help myself tonight – I had a drive around the Meadow lake. There was no one fishing. So I was straight into the same swim as last time, marker sticks out and off we go.

A kilo of Smokey Jack Spombed out on to the area, a wafter on one rod and a pop up on the other. As both my girls are at the same club tonight, I can drop and run, the wife will collect them later (perfect). I know I should be on the Airfield lake as it’s closing in a week but if the opportunity presents itself, you just have to take it.

The first take came on the Smokey Jack wafter rod at around 2230, I instantly knew I was into a big lump, as you do. It was heading off to the right and was well on its way past the overhanging trees. I was pumping the fish as quick as I could but also as gently as I could, the rod tip was well down in the water. I finally had the fish past the tree and just behind the back lead of the right hand rod, it was now charging for the open water again! I quickly switch the other buzzer off as there was on other option than play the fish with the other line wrapped around it, joy this was going to be fun! The back lead was not going to release itself. I used the clutch , carried on as normal and a big fat mirror rolled on the surface and slid into the net.

Mega fish

And she tipped the scales at 38lb 2oz.

Before doing the photo’s (as I felt the fished needed to rest), I got both rod’s back out on the spots and fingers crossed for another one.

With a few more liners in the night I was feeling confident still, that was the only fish of the night and boy was that a stunning fish!
Until next time

Richard

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Posted in Asso Fishing Line, carp, Carp fishing, Carp Tackle Supplies, Carp Talk Magazine, Catalyst pellet, Fishing, Fishing Video's, Fox Tackle, Fox Warror 12ft 3.25tc Rods, Spotted Fin, Tackle Fanatic, The Catalyst, Vision Bivvy, weather, weather reports | Leave a comment

Trip 80 – Barbel Fishing- 2017

Posted on September 23, 2017 by richardhandel

I am still working at catching myself a Hampshire Avon Barbel.

I have gone for the same area as before, for the simple reason that I can park quite close and there is a choice of 4 swims in this area. All have the good potential of producing a nice barbel. Unfortunately, I just can’t get here with enough time to try and spot any fish. So it going to be a bit hit and miss for this Winter. But it’s the only way of getting myself on the bank.

I have dropped four loads out there with a bait dropper of a mix of catalyst pellets and boilies all soaked in hemp & tuna oil. There is a nice big lump of hemp paste wrapped around a 15 mm Catalyst boilies, with 3 ft of semi stiff fin skin, a size 8 Sf wide Gape hook and a couple of blobs of tungsten put along the length of the hooklink. I will do some shots of the rig at home soon for you all.

Unfortunately, no joy. I think I will need to time my trips better with the river conditions as the water was crystal clear.

Until next time

Richard

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Posted in Asso Fishing Line, Avon rods, Barbel Fishing, Carp Tackle Supplies, Catalyst pellet, Chub Fishing, Course Fishing, Fishing Video's, Hampshire Avon, river level, Spotted Fin, The Catalyst | Leave a comment

Trip 79 Carp Fishing- 2017

Posted on September 21, 2017 by richardhandel

This trip out is going to be a nice change for me, it’s a social with a friend. We are on the Airfield Lake and have picked a nice double swim. This gives us access to a huge amount of water and an array of features. With the wind direction (moving round to the north), this will be a perfect area for a couple of nights.

With camp set up, the spots baited up its time for a glass or two of wine and a chat.

The night was a complete surprise, with not a single carp between us. As the morning progressed, there were a few signs of Carp but nowhere near the amount there was when we arrived.

With a sunny day forecast, we were hoping that the Carp would move into the back of the cold north wind and back into our part of the lake.

As another day drew to a close with another stunning sunset (in between the passing heavy rain storm). We were both beginning to think that the weather was playing a key factor in the lack of Carp. In the early evening, there where a few more fish topping just out of our range and maybe some hope for the coming night!

We shall have to see.

Well, that night did not go my way at all. I managed to lose two fish, on the lovely boulders of the airfield. My friend had more luck – he managed to bank a nice Common.

However, I was rewarded with the chance to get the perfect kingfisher shot.

So, I am not going to complain. It takes a life time of trying and thus one of many photos I took this morning, will do me just fine.

That was all the action we had. The time was past in great company and we had a few laughs. I also certainly learnt that, a sudden drop in temperature, with all the hail on Friday does effect the Carp and its all about learning.

Until Next Time

Richard

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Posted in Aqua M3 Compact Bivvy, Asso Fishing Line, Carp fishing, Carp Tackle Supplies, Carp Talk Magazine, Catalyst pellet, Fishing, Fishing Video's, Pop Ups, Spotted Fin, The Catalyst | Leave a comment

Trip 78 Carp Fishing – 2017

Posted on September 18, 2017 by richardhandel

With the nights drawing in and Autumn well underway, I have returned to the Meadow Lake for a quick night. The first swim I stopped at, I instantly spotted a couple of fish roll – choice made. With no one opposite me, in fact other than) a day angler in the day bay behind me (about 4 swims down), I was the only one on here!

It was looking very moody and any minute it would rain. I quickly checked my notes for the number of wraps and got the Rod’s on the spots. I then spombed out 5 loads over each area, just of Catalyst boilies. I didn’t fancy any Bream, well not to many anyway.

The first take came around 22.15 (as I was dosing off), the right hand rod gave a couple of bleeps, paused, then a single bleep. I was up and by the rod’s in a flash. There was another single bleep and the bobbin pulled up tight to the buzzer. I pulled into a very heavy lump, which I needed to get past the overhanging tree to my right. Lucky the fish did not kite that much and I was easily able to get the fish under the rod tip and under control. Now the long battle to get the fish up off the bottom and into the net started. There were a couple of moments when I thought the fish was off around the point to my left. It was quite straight forward and the beast was in the net.

Now that will do me. 30 lb 5 oz of stunning Common and another fish on the Finamino bait soak.

The second take also came from this rod and there was no mucking around this time. This fish was flying across the lake and in the right direction – well away from the snag. With an all to quick fight, a Common around the 16 lb mark was in the net and quickly returned to its home.

The third take happened just like the one before, it absolutely ripped the line off the reel and I was onto another hard fighting Meadow Lake carp. It did have me in the tree for just one scary moment but I was way to quick. I had the rod tip under the water, the moment I felt it touch the branches and all was OK. The fish was under control again and safely under my rod tip for the next few minutes until a slipped it over the cord.

Just over the twenty pound Mark by 5 ozs.

This turned out to be my last fish of the night – pretty happy with that.

What a pleasant morning and time to head home.

Until next time

Richard

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Posted in Asso Fishing Line, big pits, carp, Carp fishing, Carp Tackle Supplies, Carp Talk Magazine, Catalyst pellet, Fishing, Fishing Video's, Fox Warror 12ft 3.25tc Rods, Spotted Fin, Tackle Fanatic, The Catalyst | Leave a comment

Trip 77 Barbel Fishing- 2017

Posted on September 13, 2017 by richardhandel

This evening I fancied a change. I was getting the itch to fish the river again and perhaps a Hampshire Avon Barbel may grace my net?

I do love the tranquillity of the river and it’s certainly a nice break from the lakes. I just don’t get on there enough, this in turns impacts my results. I would love to spend a few months on here but I just can’t get that Carp bug out of my head. I have to do a fair bit of walking and spotting the Carp. That side of thing will certainly get re-visited later on this year. I just need to dedicate more time to the Barbel. We shall see.

No joy by 10 pm, which is home time.