UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

Trip 83 Carp Fishing 2017

Posted on October 8, 2017 by richardhandel

With only a few days left before the Airfield lake shuts for winter. I found myself on the middle part of the complex, not far from where my last trip out was. Before leaving last time, I had a good look around and put some bait out in a few spots where I had seen a few fish show.

I arrived just with enough time to set up before darkness fell upon the lake. I didn’t look around, just headed to that area, hoping the bait had done it’s job and the fish would be after more. I was also hoping they were up for feeding at night, as I would be off at first light.

I was fishing at the bottom of the margin shelf, in a nice silt gully which went around the front of this point. I had put 10 small pouch fulls of the Smokey Jack boilies of each rod. With a bottom bait on one and a wafter on the other. I sat back with a brew and watched the last bit of fading light disappear.

Despite hearing fish crashing in the bay behind me, they will just not come out into the open water or even round the point. I haven’t even had a single bleep in the night. It’s good for the sleep factor, but that’s not what we are here for. This has surprised me and I’m not sure how to approach my last trip on here in a few days. A bit of thinking will need to be done I feel. There were some nice big lumps crashing in the bay. There is a tiny day swim set in the corner but I feel that there is a very high change of losing fish in the overhanging tree. Especially at night, even by flicking the baits to the middle of the bay. May just have to try. Could be worth a very sleepless night. Effort equals rewards, as they say.

Well it’s time to pack up, the clock has struck 6 am. The first of many pack ups in the dark. This is something I have been doing since the age of 16, very nearly 37 years and it becomes part of fishing life. It doesn’t last for that long as you realise, it’s just for about 4 months. Which is quite a short period of time.

Until next time

Richard

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Posted in Asso Fishing Line, Carp Tackle Supplies, Fishing, Fishing Video's, Florocarbon Line, Pop Ups, Spotted Fin, The Catalyst | Leave a comment

Trip 82 Carp Fishing- 2017

Posted on September 30, 2017 by richardhandel

With the airfield lake closing next Saturday, I just had to be fishing on there this weekend. The wife was out Friday night, so I was limited to just Saturday night, which will do me fine.

When I arrived, I expected to see a few cars on the car park, however there was none. Driving around the other side, there was also no cars round there. Lucky me, spoilt for choice. Where to start? With a long walk and a fair few swims later, I settled on the bay area. It is in the middle part of the complex, as I was seeing fish everywhere as normal. I thought my best option is the part of the lake which was more coloured up. And with the wind in my face, there are a few areas to pick from (when the wind is blowing SE), but this felt the best option. I did nearly set up on other swim at one point but moved the barrow back again.

With a good couple of kilos of The Smokey Jack out over the spots and my left over ground bait from last weekend’s session (which was in that lovely cold northerly’s and hail), this was just so much better conditions. Let’s hope the Carp are also of that opinion. I have a Smokey Jack wafter on one rod and after doing so well on the FW Masala pop ups (earlier on in the season), I just had to give on of then a go as a tub arrived in the post this week.

Just sitting and watching, a perfect way to spend the next 12 hrs.

Well, I certainly didn’t expect that to happen, not a single bleep in the night. It’s now just after 8 am and all is silent on the lake. There has not been a single sign of any Carp showing. This is very unusual and I needed to start packing up soon, so it looks like a blank coming my way for probably my last trip on the Airfield lake until next season.

It was not meant to be this time.

Until next time

Richard

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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.