How did you get on?

[peter crabtree]

It was so mild again today I had to get out for a few hours. On the walk past the lakes and through the woods the daffodils and snowdrops were in full bloom.
Met up with my mate on the weirpool and we set up our bomb rods with running half oz flat pear leads and long hook links to strong size 18 hooks.
Bait was maggots and small worms.

This was my biggest perch, no monster but led me a merry dance in the fast water...




Also caught this clonking minnow.....





I was quite surprised to see how windy it was when I emerged from the woods and back past the lakes.




Good to see Neil 1970 roving with his lure rod too...

 

[neil1970]

Good to bump into you too Simon.

I got out for a short stroll as a break from work, and managed to pick up a little
jack along the way

 

[seth49]

With it being so mild, my mate and I decided to have a days fishing. We haven't been since some time in November.
So we went to the fishery we joined last year thinking we would have a go at the roach and bream we know are in there.

So i rigged a float rod up to fish bread punch or maggot and also put my new Nash dwarf nine foot rod out as a sleeper using a bright yellow pineapple dumbbell.
All I got in the first hour were about six small roach and a couple of little perch.
On the float, and a bream of about two pounds on the carp rod.
So then I decided to fish a piece of meat in the margins on the float over some bits of bait I'd been dropping in.
After ten minutes or so I had a carp just under ten pounds, good fun on my pin and my ten foot float rod.
Lost another later on then that swim went quite.

Then I started getting runs on the carp rod, and finished with seven carp between seven and ten pounds.
So I've christened my new rod, and I'm pleased with it.
I especially like the way they come up close to the bank for netting, a lot easier with the short rod.
My mate had a couple of small carp, after he moved into the next swim to me.
Next decent day we're going again.

 

[Pete Shears]

A few hours on the upper Soar near Narborough today before the next monsoon pushes the river over the banks & into the fields.
Missed the first two bites whilst watching three buzzards being mobbed by a pair of crows - third bite I hit & landed my only fish of the day , a pristine small chub of 1lb 5oz caught on legered flake. Could not get a bite on crust,worm or sweetcorn.

 

[tigger]

Managed to get a session in today, all 1 1/2hrs of it. To be honest it was enough as there was a nasty strong downstream wind and I was fishing in amongst huge shoals of sanitary towels etc etc, not nice. Anyhow the result was one small chub, only just realised that's my first fish of the new year....not too impressive lol....

 

[flightliner]

With the Trent almost back to normal I decided to have a day trying for another Zander. The last couple of visits had drawn a blank with not so much as a sign of a bite.I had to detour off the A1 on account of a holdup but thanks to catching a traffic announcement it saved me some little time further south.
The first thing I saw in my swim was an umbrella, lost no doubt in some recant heavy winds, covered in thick sludge but save for the simple task of a wash n brush up and rewiring on the bottom bush it will come in handy , it reminded me of the time that I was sat carp fishing below Cromwell wier in the mid eighties and seeing one rolling over and over on the surface in strong wind before going over the six foot drop into the tidal section to dissapear below the boiling waters surface into the tidal section- - gone for sure-- no-- just before dark as the tide was falling it reappeared some twenty yards below me-- other than rewiring the bush it was perfect, I had it for years -- the river giveth (brollies)-- the river taketh away(hooks, leads n stuff) lol.
Three very jumpy up n down raps on bleak deadbaits from some resident zed joker was all I could muster on a day with increasingly heavy winds which made things really difficult, so much so that I was away some little time before I had planned.
The track from the river , good on arrival, had been in use all day by a farmer lugging soil so despite going as slow as possible thro his resulting mess made it that it wont just be a brolly I have to hose down this morning--- .mg:

 

[Neil Maidment]

The Dorset Stour was still high but dropping and in a mad rush to empty itself into the sea. Tough conditions to trot a lump of balsa but I eventually stumbled upon a congregation of small roach and dace. Averaging around two or three to the pound with the occasional bigger roach, they were very obliging and good fun. A lot of the roach had Black Spot, something I haven't seen for a long while, but were otherwise in very good nick.

View image in gallery​

They eventually disappeared so I walked slowly back towards the car. Got sidetracked by a vacant swim that had been good to me in the past and decided to fish the last hour or so. I continually fed red maggot and the chub eventually turned up at 4:15. Managed to lose one but had four good examples including an old mate of mine:

View image in gallery​

This blunt nosed chub and I have crossed paths before. He used to be 6lbs+ but he's lost his belly and is now a low/mid 5. Still looking healthy and fit, he finished off the day well.

 

[Chefster]

What a dayblowing an absolute Hoolie!!!!..Open Match,a Tunnel Barn Farm today was moved from House and Extension pools,to Bottom pool,to give more shelter?? Ha!-no chance!!!!
I drew peg 4,a good summer peg,shallow,3ft 6 inch,down the track!.14m wide,no chance of fishing bread over on pole,so i opted to chuck a small inline bomb with a short 6 inch h/l,and popped up bread,first hour gave me 2 F1,s,and a liner,no-one else near me had caught,so i wasnt too worried...Next port of call was a pellet line at 11m,difficult in the wind,but it produced,3 F1,s and a few missed bites,due to the wind.
I made a decision,that i would have to try and make the 6m line work,as the wind was getting stronger by the minute..i fished pellets for the rest of the match on this line,despite,it being impossible to present a bait at times,to add a further 3 small mirrors and 11 F1,s,and i lost 2 unseen fish...When the scales came it was clear,i hadnt done enough despite beating everyone around me,my 33-10-0,was only good enough for 4thKen Turner from Brum emptied it with a catch of proper carp for 61-0-0,Steve Stokes(TBF) was 2nd with 41-0-0,Ron Allum(Banbury Gunsmiths)3rd with 35-0-0...So plenty of bites,but a frustrating horrible day,only consolation,my pole stayed in one piece...Working now ,so wont be out till next weekTight lines ,Gazza

 

[binka]

It was very much a case of gale force fishing again today!

In fairness the plans for this sortie were hatched during a dour and biteless session back on Sunday when it looked as though the wind and rain weren’t going to sweep in until tonight and having checked the forecast again last night, which brought it all forward to this morning, I have to admit to having second thoughts but I decided to give it a go anyway and boy was it rough!!

The one thing I did do was ensure that I was down a north facing bank so that the strong southerly would whip straight over me and the brolly was up a good fifteen minutes before the rain swept in just after dawn… Being down such a steep and slippery bank I’d also plotted an escape route should the worse happen and I ended up in the drink.

Very rare for me but I fished two rods as I wanted to give the new pair of light Avons a run out, I was a little bit apprehensive as I’d not bought them for barbel fishing but I wanted to give them a good test at the top end of their rating and it was clear that tensions were running high as the expectant crowd gathered…



The first rig went in with the heaviest lead I had and the 3oz was duly brushed aside like confetti and so the inside line it was then.

Second rig in and it was time to double check the baitrunners, sit back, pour a cup of tea and enjoy the day.

It wasn’t until around an hour a half and several re-casts later that I had my first bite, no three foot twitch but a prolonged and very hittable tremor on the tip and it was fish on. I wasn’t too sure if it was a big chub to begin with but the fish seemed to wake up halfway through the fight and gave a decent enough account of itself in the strong current for me to be able to dismiss it for a small barbel and sure enough I slipped the net under a fish of around 5lbs and I was happy, both in the respect that I’d caught on such a day but also with the action of the rod which was lovely.

I didn’t have to wait too long before the other rod went with a similar bite to the first and this time the fish felt considerably larger which gave me the opportunity that I was looking for to really put the rod through its paces and after a spirited fight akin to what you would expect I slipped the net under what looked like a nice chunky, winter low double…



Cracking!

Despite numerous bait changes the remainder of the day was quite uneventful really and more a test of endurance than anything else, the eagerly awaited last hour produced a small fish of around 3lbs but my job was done as far as testing the rods was concerned and I have to say I’m smitten with ‘em.

All in all a good day out and a good result but I’m pleased to be home with the feet up and something to oil me dry throat :w

 

[dorsetandchub]

To the Commercial again today as I really quite enjoy fishing it more when there's less chance of the carp turning up and bullying everything else out. I keep pestering the owner to think about a silvers only / tench lake but democracy obviously rules - that or he just won't let hand and pocket meet.

So, one of those days when, having let the rush hour go, I set off thinking the old adage of a bad day's fishing better than a good day at work definitely applied.

Got there to find only four other anglers, three of whom had taken swims as near to the car park as possible.

Settled on to my swim of choice, with an island at 12m, at the far end of the main match lake. The ground to it was the usual one long continuous puddle but with me SkeeTex on, I felt comfortable.

Out came the Daiwa pole and a tiny dibber rig (4 no. 12), 2lb main line to a 22 on 1.7lb bottom. Bait was a pair of pinkies.

A small pot of pinkies, a few bits of punched bread potted in and game on.

Also on went some decent Blues, Nine Below Zero - appropriate as pretty soon that's how it felt.

After a couple of minutes, the first bite arrived - a roach of an ounce or so, followed quickly by half a dozen close relatives before a gudgeon showed up. A mix of both followed, interspersed with the occasional weeny skimmer and perch. these fish reminded me of the winter league gudgeon from oop North many moons ago, so small they were almost transparent.

And that was how it went. A couple of hours of enjoyable small fish nicking although I did have to admit defeat and put the brolly up as the rain got worse with no signs of change.

It was getting close to 1pm when the float went and instantly it was crystal clear this wasn't any midget, something a bit lumpy moved off around towards the end of the island and the light elastic was soon doing its work but giving me one or two palpitations. It soon powered into open water and I had to be careful to keep the dangerous possibilities the island offered to a minimum.

I felt the fish turn and come back towards me but still at a distance. The fight was most engaging and enjoyable. Eventually I worked it back carefully and, net ready, I expected to find the culprit a small carp but no, it was a chub and a nice fish on a day like this. In the net, I'd estimate a tad over 2lbs - maybe two or three ounces more. What is it about stillwater chub? I love catching them and wonder if others do too?

The usual suspects soon returned with a sprinkle of tiny rudd thrown in before, eventually, a tiny common of 8oz or so popped up, quickly followed by a tiny mirror of half that, 4oz. Made me wonder how these things can go to 60lbs or so. I didn't mind these two and they didn't bully anything out.

The bites kept coming and I called a halt at 3pm in order to be home before the rush hour began again. I'd estimate a net of around 5 and a half pounds or so - never going to win medals but it got me out and put a smile on my face.

Home to a hard Liverpool game tonight and another week nearer warmer weather and lighter nights. I know winter has its attractions but I've never really been a fan. Roll on the warmth!!

 

[tigger]

I reckon after going out in the conditions Steve, those fish where well deserved .
Glad to hear the new avons performed well....very nice

 

[robtherake]

I reckon after going out in the conditions Steve, those fish where well deserved .
Glad to hear the new avons performed well....very nice

I'll second that. I had planned an afternoon session after perch, but fishing under trees in a 60mph wind seemed like a silly idea - I'd already seen (heard, rather) a handful of roof slates hit the street behind me when I was out dog walking this morning. I took the hint and stayed in for the rest of the day, my meagre stock of luck having been used up already. Tomorrow it is then, with the wind down to a mere 50mph.

Nice way of christening the new rods, Steve; well done, boyo.

 

[swizzle]

After a week or three of continual blanks, I had the rare opportunity to get out on the bank two days on the trot, (unheard of in my life) and put my new tackle through its paces. Yesterday I went to a club stillwater with Perch in mind, armed with my new Drennan 1.25 Avon rod, I arrived at the lake circa 9am and wandered around to have a look for a likely swim. I haven't fished the lake extensively in the past, but I know there are some deep holes, so I set myself up in a swim over the top of a 9 foot hole, the fallen tree over the swim was a bonus. Tackled up with a small reel straight through with 4lb line, with a quarter ounce bomb on a large run ring and a size 8 hook. Dropped in a bait dropper of chopped worm, maggots, prawn and a generous squirt of predator plus, a Lobworm went on the hook and away I went. It was a slow start, but I started to pick up the odd perch of about 12Oz which I was happy with, I was finally catching fish. I started playing around with my hook bait by popping it up slightly to try and pick up a bigger fish, 20 minutes later the tip slams around and I am into a better fish, after a few dives into the trees I got the beasty on to the surface, I knew instantly that it was the biggest perch I had ever caught, after weighing a few times the needle settled at 3lb on the button and I was as happy as a pig in faeces. I wanted to end the day on a high, so I left shortly after that.


I don't think the picture does it justice. But I have yet to master self takes on my phone.

Today I only planned a short trip to test out the Shimano bait runner I got for Christmas. I knew the weather forecast predicted rain between 11-12 so I was out at first light at a different still water not far from my house, I didn't really have a target other than to get a bend in the rod. I arrived at 7.45 and did my usual walk around the water and settled on a swim with the wind blowing at my back, set up my rod with 8lb main line a small cage feeder and a 12 inch flurocarbon hook length with a size 12 Drennan specimen hook tied with the knotless knot, 2 10mm Richworth tutti frutti boilies on the hair, a feeder full of Dynamite Baits halibut ground bait with some lone angler caviar pellets thrown in the mix. I cast 2 yards short of the island and left it. Not a lot happened for the first two and a half hours and I was keeping my eye on rain alarm on my phone because I wanted to be away before the heavens opened, I had left the brolly at home! I popped a pva bag on with some of the same pellets and a few boilies in and cast again. Not long after, I had a couple of bleeps on the alarm and the bobbin had lifted, after a short fight I had a nice common carp of 10.1 in the net at 10.55. At 11.15 the deluge commenced and I scampered off, the good lady of mine wanted some junk taken to the tip so it was only going to be a short trip anyway. I can go back to the blanks now.

.

 

[peter crabtree]

Swizzle, worth a punt in Big perch challenge..

 

[theartist]

Popped out to the Ivel Monday as I knew the weather had to be better than last time. It was busy down there as everyone else had the same Idea and in good spirits except for the old guy who blanked me, must be hard of hearing I figured and I instantly thought of dad who hasn't accompanied me for ages due to the inclement weather. I was happy to be out all things considered.

Starting up by in a small slack by my feet I winkled out a dozen roach before the slack became a turbulent boil as the flow picked up, time to move on chatting to a couple others on the way upstream who were also floatfishing which made a change to see.

Finding a decent spot after lunch I hit into five chub in a row which is the way when the rubber dubs get going, nothing huge but plenty of bends in the rod in brief spell before it went slow. Wondering why I wasn't getting any roach or dace the reason became clear when the first flash of silver got snaffled by a pike which bit me off instantly. New hook, next cast same result although this time no bite off and a long lean jack was coaxed in the net, nicely hooked in the scissors which happens so often. Must have been all of three pound and was thinner than the neck of the massive swan that was now stretching it's wings next to me a bit to close for comfort.

As I was on an open beach like swim I seized the opportunity to take some photos at different angles as pike are a hard fish to draw and reference photos are invaluable at times. I did get some strange looks though off a guy who was walking downstream with loads of gear as I posed with a rather small pike at various angles, whilst being watched by an unimpressed swan.

Shall I tell him it was a Pb when I go past later on the way back I thought cheekily as I know that's what dad would have said.

 

[swizzle]

Swizzle, worth a punt in Big perch challenge..

Where would one find such a challenge?

 

[greenie62]

Where would one find such a challenge?

Try here http://www.fishingmagic.com/forums/predator-fishing/356491-big-perch-challenge-2015-6-a.html?highlight=perch+challenge

Just did a Search on 'Big perch challenge' and there it was! - easier than catching one!! mg:

 

[peter crabtree]

It's in the predator fishing section....

 

[maggot_dangler]

Greetings all from a very sore md.

Day started very nicely got to my pool setup a few maggots thrown out pole out bang fish on like that for about 30 to 40 mins ,
Then the dang winds catches the pole a good one me not expecting it caught off guard reacted and bang out goes the back almost an hour to packup and move me and the gear about 80 yards to the car .

Not a happy maggot ....

PG ...

 

[robtherake]

Back to the roach pool this afternoon, chasing sergeants. I took a sheltered spot on the southernmost bank and floatfished banded jumbo prawns in to eleven feet of water about 2 rods out - this swim was maybe a foot shallower last time I fished it, but no doubt the torrential run-through of rain water in the last few weeks has changed the bottom topography here and there. The run-off at the dam end following the wettest period really was something to behold! Today, a lot of colour had dropped out of the water and I felt more confident than last time. A brisk, but warm wind blew through the denuded trees at my back, but within an hour it had turned 180 degrees and the temperature tumbled accordingly. Typical!

I fed half a dozen maggots twice every minute and fished a banded jumbo prawn hair-rigged to a size 12 Kamasan 911. I'd rigged up a fixed waggler, which made casting a little tricky with the 11ft rod I'd taken. Swapping to a slider would have been the sensible move, but with only a couple of hours till dusk I didn't want to waste time. The first bite - a determined stab-under - took me by surprise (daydreaming) and I struck into fresh air, swinging back a shredded prawn. There was quite a tow on the water, requiring the addition of an extra foot of depth, otherwise I'd have been trotting.

Several missed bites later and I connected with something that tugged in determined fashion but was soon subdued. No monster, this one, but a perfectly proportioned perch of about 1lb 4oz was soon sliding over the net. The light was going so I didn't bother with a pic, but no more bites were forthcoming. Still, I'd caught my target fish, which cheered me up no end.
The absence of the little perch is a bit perplexing. Worms didn't buy a bite when I tried them, but neither was I plagued by the swarms of mini-warriors that generally hammer the worm as soon as it hits the water. Lets hope Mr Cormorant isn't to blame.

Then the walk back through a muddy field without my bloody headlamp, which had gone awol, and pulling my Korum chair trolley by its seat back, having left the handle in the shed.mg: Arrived at the car looking like a mud monster; tired, but fulfilled. Hopefully I'll get the car interior cleaned before 'er indoors spots the mess. :wh

---------- Post added at 21:18 ---------- Previous post was at 21:09 ----------

Popped out to the Ivel Monday as I knew the weather had to be better than last time. It was busy down there as everyone else had the same Idea and in good spirits except for the old guy who blanked me, must be hard of hearing I figured and I instantly thought of dad who hasn't accompanied me for ages due to the inclement weather. I was happy to be out all things considered.

Starting up by in a small slack by my feet I winkled out a dozen roach before the slack became a turbulent boil as the flow picked up, time to move on chatting to a couple others on the way upstream who were also floatfishing which made a change to see.

Finding a decent spot after lunch I hit into five chub in a row which is the way when the rubber dubs get going, nothing huge but plenty of bends in the rod in brief spell before it went slow. Wondering why I wasn't getting any roach or dace the reason became clear when the first flash of silver got snaffled by a pike which bit me off instantly. New hook, next cast same result although this time no bite off and a long lean jack was coaxed in the net, nicely hooked in the scissors which happens so often. Must have been all of three pound and was thinner than the neck of the massive swan that was now stretching it's wings next to me a bit to close for comfort.

As I was on an open beach like swim I seized the opportunity to take some photos at different angles as pike are a hard fish to draw and reference photos are invaluable at times. I did get some strange looks though off a guy who was walking downstream with loads of gear as I posed with a rather small pike at various angles, whilst being watched by an unimpressed swan.

Shall I tell him it was a Pb when I go past later on the way back I thought cheekily as I know that's what dad would have said.

A good story well told.