Frank’s spring Blog
Hi everyone sorry for the gap in my blogs for a few months I had a big change in my life as far is work is concerned just before Christmas I decided I wanted a change in some the companies within the angling trade I was working with as I felt it was time to move on to more dynamic opportunities this obviously affected my usual winter campaign where I fish 48 hours a week no matter what the weather the only thing that stops me is frozen lakes, even then I will usually try to break the ice to fish.
I joined Prologic the tackle company, they have been incredible I feel very welcome and happy with them and also I started working with Five Star baits, Jason the owner is superb he is naturally a perfectionist and is a bait nut just like myself, we have some nice things coming very soon.
I only managed a two day session with my eldest son Guy between Christmas and New Year this ended in a blank but the weather was harsh and I virtually knew we were going to struggle as I am very tuned in to the lake we are currently fishing and know its moods.
As I said I then had work on with my new companies and found 7 weeks flew by with no fishing very unusual for me and an unfamiliar situation, I was literally climbing the walls longing to get out, I heard my syndicate lake had been producing nothing despite some of the lads giving it a good go.
I arrived at the lake on the 2nd of February for my first session since the end of December I had planned my trip with minute detail in my absence as you tend to do, I always find if I plan my trips and do preparation well in advance particularly in respect of bait and rigs things usually go well.
I arrived at the lake to find it deserted, I did that mental punch in the air as it meant I could easily bait and get on my winter hot spot that is incredibly reliable and productive so much so that I will not put the rods on it when other anglers are present on the lake, I know that sounds a bit mad but its so incredibly special I would rather not fish than give the spot away.
It just shows how precise winter hotspots can be on some venues, my confidence soared as I could get two rods on the money unseen and with no disturbance.
That night there was tell tale signs of fish activity as I had a number of indications on the bite alarms that were out of sync with the weather as there was very little wind and although it was low pressure with leaden skies.
Whenever I get these random bleeps on the alarms I know action will usually follow I was right at 6 am I was away to a cracking take on one of the two hotspot rods I was smiling thinking its so good to be back as I netted a pretty 23lb scaley mirror, just as I was dealing with the mirror my second hotspot rod cranked over and signalled a bite I swiftly popped the mirror into a retainer and pulled into the culprit, straight away I knew it was a big fish it slammed the rod over in that significant way that leaves you in no doubt your attached to a chunk.
After a thrilling battle I saw in my headlight the most beautiful huge common slamming the surface with its huge tail doing its best to eascape but to no avail she was mine, as I heaved her on to the mat I recognised her as a fish we call” The Unit “ I felt certain she was over 40lbs and she was 40lbs 8ozs I put her in a sling to recover and wait for a bit of light so I could get a few self takes.
I am sure you will agree they came out ok.
The following night I had a pretty dark 19lb common and unfortunately suffered a hook pull on another fish that had felt powerful and left my heart pounding, I consoled myself with the thought that four bites on my return in early February was a fabulous result never mind the winter 40lb common to boot.
As you can imagine I was willing the next week away counting down the hours and days until my next visit.
The next session started off quickly with me getting back on the hotspot and some five hours in I had a blistering take after the usual liners and bleeps from carp activity on the spot resulting in a mid double mirror
The carp responsible for the next bite at the 6 am obvious feeding spell was a magnificent long perfectly proportioned 28lb common that has potential to become a very special carp in the future what a beauty.
The weather on this trip was a bit worrying as storms were forecast and as I was camped under a canopy of big groaning trees sleep was hard come by but it was worth it as on the second morning of my session I caught a 27.14 common.
The following week despite storm warnings I couldn’t stop myself I had to be at the lake, I did at times question my sanity as at one stage a huge branch crashed onto my rods mid storm and drove the bank sticks right into the ground, how it never snapped all 3 rods I will never know!
Luckily I didn’t even have to re position the rods as none were badly disturbed my reckless impulse to fish in this crazy weather was questioned by my family who were worried for my safety but they know me well enough by now nothing stops me when I am on a mission.
My main concern was getting a tree on my new van which was parked right under a nubber of groaning trees that looked extra threatening, because of the layout of the lake its not possible to avoid parking under trees so I had to chance it.
The action came at the predictable 6 am feeding spell both nights I managed a small common and two mirrors of 23 and just under 29lbs respectively.
So 11 bites in 3 session 10 fish landed I was delighted, as for rods on the same bait,rigs off the hot spot, not a bleep which only serves to illustrate it might well be easy to blame rigs and bait when in fact putting it in the right place was the key to everything.
Tight lines everyone
Frank