Rob out and about

robvford · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:49 pm Post subject: Rob out and about

well i know at least one person enjoys reading my catch reports and its about time i started writing a journal.

would help me remember weights of fish if i can just refer to this thread as well....i have a habit of forgetting exact weights after the fish are uploaded to photobucket.

i'll start with about a month ago....basically as far back as i can remember.

generally im a weekend angler. friday night to sunday afternoon.
i wouldnt fish the weekends....just too busy, but the joys of work and all that

funds the fishing though, and being a weekend angler makes you work so much harder to get a fish on the bank.

some ZONE members might already know some of the captures in here.

well anyway, here goes. enjoy, and i'll keep you updated weekly

robvford · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject:

not having money to join my local club i was left scratching my head.
where could i fish for free?

i dabbled on a local gravel pit near me. really small....about 4 acres. but all the doubles had vanished, and i didnt really enjoy fishing for singles.

i then looked at another larger lake...possibly about 8 acres. weedy as hell and very very very clear water.

wa;ling past it often curiosty got the better of me and i looked round. the margins were deepish. some up to 5ft and i could see every little divot in the bottom.
i baited up with alot of particle one day and as i was walking back i finally saw a carp.
possibly a double but a lovely streamlined almost back common.

now i know different. that carp might of been bigger. water has a funny was of making fish look smaller then they are.

anyway, after some short night sessions fishing my spots with the line as slack and hidden as can be i was still biteless. i did see another two carp though....mirrors. doubles again maybe.

i lost heart and was restless. i wanted to catch some proper carp.

this is when i dug deep into my memory and remembered a lake close to home again. a small 2 acre weedy as hell lake with a small island in the middle.
i knew the lake had done a 30 a little while back, and it also held some crackers.

were they still in there? thats anyones guess?
but i cut down my tackle to the extreme. it involved about a mile tek through some fields and woods. no barrow no tea kit.....no bedchair cripes!

sleeping under a bedchair cover on the floor.
two rods, a net, a small mat.

thinking back it was crazy, and very uncomfortable, but at least i was fishing a nice lake.

on my first trip i placed a pop up tight to this channel in the weed. a blatent patrol route.

some time in the night i had a carp taking line from a very tight clutch. it felt good and was destrying the weed in front of all the swim.
i thought i had it beaten, i looked away for a second and it powered off and into the very roots of the weed. i pulled as much as i dare....ping and out comes the hook.

the following week i tried again.
i could only fish the nights on this lake and had to shoot off about 6.30. you'll see where to later.

i walked to the lake....guess what mug left his alarms at home. not wishing to stay awake all night i had to get me dad to bring them down.....not a happy chappy.
in the hour it took for him to come, i looked around and found some nice carp holed in a a vast weedbed.
that'll do me i thought. got my rods ready, met my dad and cast out as close as i dared before it got too dark.
both baits on bottoms and stringers.

about 20 mins into nightfall im rewarded with a immaculate 15lb gorgeous common carp that fought for its life under the rod tip.
i got out the self take gear and took a few snaps before putting it back.

i caught a couple more little ones that night and a few tench, so i certainly struck it right that night.
i didnt return after that trip though.

bigkipper · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:24 pm Post subject:

good read rob

and a nice looking common you have there

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robvford · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:25 pm Post subject:

while fishing that lake, it just so happened there was a club lake nearby which also sold daytickets.
perfect! somewhere to spend the day and be picked up in the evening.
at £7 a day i wasnt happy, but it was better then nothing.
the place, lets say, isnt hard, but you can still struggle if you get something wrong.

there are 4 lakes on site, and they are all ''ponds'' less then an acre. but the carp have been heavily pressured for well over 20 years. there are certainly some rare visitors to the bank in these small waters as people have proved.

the morning after i caught the common from the other lake i headed to this day ticket club water.
i walked around each and every lake, weighed up the options and decided to fish the ''harder'' of the 4. i stayed over one side, but some movement by the lillies gave me itchy feet.
it didnt take long to pack up and move, and i soon had to bottom baits lowered off the rod tips to the pads. i slack lined and threw in a mixture of bloodworm pellet, chopped worm, crumbed boilie and whole boilie.

the carp seemed to move in straight away. although i couldnt see anything because of the coloured water, the lillies ''twitched'' every now and then.

i was expectant of a take. i baited some other spots just along the path by a rather large snag tree.
hours later still nothing.
i had the girlfriend come down for a bit to keep me company.
out of the blue, i had the most urgent sounding run ive ever heard.
i ran to the rod and it felt good.
heavy determined lunges right under the pads. thank god for the strength 15lb GR60.
just when i thought it was going to come out, the hook flew out and embedded itself on a lilly stem! ho hum.

after checking my other baited spot i was greeted by bubblers! everywhere!
grabbing a rod i tried to semi spook the carp, but they were so engrossed in feeding they didnt notice (the pulling power of chopped worm eh)
i lowered my rig over the top.
i slipped a backlead on and tightlined it. less then a rodlength out and very very close to the snag tree.

the rod tip was bouncing everywhere to the tune of feeding fish.
i had a tiny drop on my bobbin.

a take was on the cards. two bleeps and thats it. its all over in minutes and straight in the net!

15lb 12oz of common (where are the mirrors)

obviously having spooked any other fish for a while i walked the lakes again.

lake 2 was busy as its right next to the car park but the anglers were down one end.

anycarp in the lake had to be down the quiet end, away from the leads crashing down every 10 minutes by impatient anglers.

i headed right down to the side of the lake. furtherest away from any lines.
two baits were soon flicked along the margin and one slightly in front.
bottom baits again with stringers.

within half an hour my slack line was picked up tight.
picking up the rod nothing there. maybe it caught round a carps fin, who knows.

bait re positioned and an hour later the line is picked up tight again. the carp in these small lakes really pull some. it didnt wanna give in.
i could feel all eyes on me (i hate small busy lakes)
dont mess up, just go in with ni hassle.
yea fat chance of that happening.
for a 12lb common it liked to give me the run around.

(i would of had a better picture from a self take

)

well two carp caught one lost. happy chappy.

robvford · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:30 pm Post subject:

around this time i ended up joining my club finally.
really it was only for one water, but i found myself getting sucked back to fishing the others.

i started off on the water i really wanted to crack.
but the two weeks leave were soon vanishing far quicker then i hoped and still no carp for my efforts.

i know i did everything i could, but i really think the north wind had ruined the fishing.
being a 15 acre pit, the wind was amplified and it felt much colder.
you just couldnt predict where the carp would be.

although i missed a run on only my third night and i had carp rolling over my baits. i just couldnt recieve a proper take.

i decided to pull off and regroup.

i needed a confidence booster
and what beter place then the best stalking venue the club owns. the 4 lake complex i fished earlier.

robvford · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:52 pm Post subject:

i decided to fish 2 proper nights on the water.
i had only really used it as a day water while waiting to be picked up.
being a member, no more forking out for day tickets.

i took my mate with me this time after blanking horribly on the other water, i think we both needed a break.
lake 1 was closed
lake 2 was rammed
lake 3 had two anglers on but they wanted the lake to themselves and roved this by casting 4 rods to all areas of the lake cutting off sections.
lake 4 it is then.

i had no idea what was in there at the time.
i knew the club were turning it into a match lake though.

i was really tired and i just wanted to get my head down.
i hand threw about a kilo of bait on a dinner size table area and cast both baits either side. bottom baits and slack lined. no bobbin.

i was awoken by several TINY carp during the night.....match size carp.....under 3lb. not happy. very tired.
i would of liked some bigger carp to move in. but i woke at first light and needed a move.

all the lakes were still very busy but i still packed up and got the stalking gear out.
i have to carry my barrow with me because its a public lake, but all the essentials were thrown in a matt.

me and wayne my mate walked the lakes and found it was far to busy. so back to lake 4.
we both walked up the top end. rom our elevated position i could see down into the water clearly....a carp flanked on the spot near an island.
i called the swim before wayne had the chance much to his displeasure.
i ran back grabbed my mat and placed a bottom bait with 3 bait stringer tight to some twitching reeds.

i looked to my right and noticed a couple of carp rooting in the silt.
god knows how i didnt spook them coming down the steps.
i needed a bait there.

thrwing in half chops didnt do any good so i eneded up just casting a bait on top of them.
yep they spooked.
bugger.
well maybe they'll be back.
20 mins later i have a rod being dragged across the floor as the slack line is tight....and going round the dot island in the margin.
picking up the rod it was real hit and hold stuff, the carp splashing all on the surface as i turned him.
gradually he came back, and a nice fight followed.
i called wayne and he came running over to net the fish for me.

at 13lb it was a lovely lovely looking fish.

i spent the day chilling...literally.
it got far far too busy.

every single lake was full and instead of taking up swims and wasting time fishing waters where the carp were running scared anyway. i sat drinking tea and chatting to a commitee member that had come down to fish.
some 8 hours later the lakes started to clear.
i found a swim on lake 2 and literally fished single baits.
no stringers or nothing.
my reason being was the fact it was so busy earlier. and the amount of bait people would of put in would of been staggering.

before i had my last cast for the night i threw in about three quarters of a kilo of boilie in that spot i caught the 13lb er from.

i had nothing during the night, and i arrived at my prebaited swim before light.
i had a bait cast with a 2 bait stringer....wasnt happy with how it ''felt' so reeled it in and it was snagged on a twig. that was a lucky instinct.
another cast, and perfect.
i didnt have to wait long.

10 mins and my line has tightened and screamed. again round the island. this one felt better. alot better. i didnt want to jynx it though.
when the young lad came round to help, i didnt answer ay questions about how big i thought it was.

a very deep fight followed and it was really enjoyable.

i was confident in my hookhold as i have now started using big hooks.
hookholds have been spot on on my bottom bait rigs.

minutes later the runs are getting shorter and he soon rolls into the net.
wow

an absoloute stunner.

20lb 8oz

a very unique fish.
it has an orange birthmark on the other side

and to top it off, i caught the same fish a few days later while it was feeding on my chopped baits with its back out the water.

the pond warden and the most regular guy down there have never seen the fish before either. was i chuffed?

you bet i was!
and that rounded off my session nicely and my last bit of leave from work.

robvford · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:26 pm Post subject:

a few months ago i ordered some new rods.
they were century armalites in 2.25lb TC.
they took ages to build and ages for me to pay off. but i eventually managed it.
that week at work i couldnt decided where to go.
it came to friday and i was still in 4 minds.
i was buying some bait and bits and the guy behind the counter said my rods had arrived. do i want to take them home?

you bet i do! i could use them that night!
after putting them together in the shop and having a quick play around. i decided to fish a old haunt.
a water i fished alot during the winter.
i wasnt so keen on going back for the summer because of the crowds and i know the carp hate lines.

well it had been a while, and why not.

i arrived down the lake and noticed all the anglers up the other end....well three of them.
i set up in the deeper part. mistake! it had been a hot day and it was a ho night.
they just didnt move down my end at all.

in the morning i had a chat with one of the anglers fishing the other end.
i was really grateful for him filling me in on all what had been hapening and a move was on the cards with my new information.
the carp had been staying up that end for the last three weeks at least.
i set up halfway to the shallows because another angler was still fishing up there.

i cast out two bait stringers on both rods with my size 6 stiff riggers on bottom baits.

nothing happened untill 3 o clock that morning.
i was doing battle with my first carp on my new rods.

amazing isnt the word!
i savoured every minute of it and i was pleased to see a cracking 17lb 4oz sutton stockie in the bottom of the net!
chuffed?
well it was a nice welcme back present

the best was yet to come

was a very quiet morning and i reeled in at 11 to be picked up at 12.
i walked to the shallows and it instantly looked good for a bite.
i just had to stay.
the wind had swung and was blowing straight into there.
the shallows average a a depth of 2ft
and when the weather is nice they love it up there.

i weighed it up.
it was a new south west wind, it was hot and the carp were cleary up there.
whers my phone.
dad can you pick me up at 5? yes? brilliant.
i had a rod set up in minutes.

i fished one rod to a bush about 30 yards out.
the other i cast to the far margin.....i say margin, its just really shallow water with a few overhang trees.
because of the water depth and deep deep silt i moved the top bead on my heli rig a good foot and a bit up the line.

first cast, and it landed perfect! right on the money.
i was brimming with confidence. it just had to happen.

some three hours later i ran to a bleeping alarm.
i picked up the rod and instantly realised i had a problem.
i pulled a bit harder and i felt the horrid feeling of line on line.
it must be someone else snagged line.
need it!?!?!

i tried everything. pulling for ages, then i slackened right off and hoped for the best.
no movement after minutes.
me being impatient just leaned into it again and by some miracle the line had come free.
but one very angry carp woke up.
it swam left....left....left more left and i was about to get in when it swung toward my bank and into some trees.
slowly easing it my way, it didnt like the fact she was getting closer so she swung out and kited around.
another angler was in my swim by this point, eager to see the prize.
he said thats a nice common.....i said nothing. concentrating on the fish. it was definatly a mirror though. i saw when it rolled.
minutes later it was in the net.

everything ready. water to hand, camera.

as soon as i lifted it was easily noticeable it was a PB there and then.

i couldnt believe it
and what a stunner
29lb 10oz

amazing, and my new rods were a dream!

robvford · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:29 pm Post subject:

well that brings you up to date.

my plans for the winter?

im going to carry on on the little farm pond.
there are two 30lb commons in there and i wouldnt mind one in its winter coat.

i also plan to fish the lake over the road from me.
i baliff the place so can trickle bait in everyday.

maybe do the odd short session during the winter.

i still have this weekend to look forward to.

matgreasley · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:32 pm Post subject:

Well done rob, great read aswell

you deserved every ounce of that pb
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NOSEY WIFE · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 5:45 am Post subject:

woo hoo get on rob
well done hun

cracking write up and pics are good to

well done on the pb

go rob go rob go rob go

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richchappy · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:39 pm Post subject:

nice write up,,,,.... crackin fish

wanna see the 30 common tho...

robvford · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:40 pm Post subject:

due to some business at home i didnt get to the farm pond untill gone 8pm.

i walked around and 3 other people on! brilliant. less people the better it fishes.

i set up in the middle of the lake as this way i could gauge what end the fish were come morning as there was a guy up both ends. one in shallows and one by the deep dam.

i cast out as best as anyone could in the dark.
bottom baits on a size 6 stiff rigger with only a three bait stringer for loose feed.

i was awoken during the night by a funny run. i struck into nothing but the bait was gone....eels.

come morning i had a few more bleeps in the night and decided to reel in to check the bait....both baits gone, plucked off the hair. damn eels.

i left it untill 12 o clock and decided on a move to the opposite side of the lake.
my reason being that a fair few carp jumped in the margins in the early hours.
i thought if i could get over there and set my traps i could have a good chance come morning when the sun pokes its head out.

after moving all my gear round to the swim, i tucked myself away as best i could as i was fishing a few rod lengths out.
i wasnt really expecting any action untill first light though.

from the other side you couldnt even see me. brilliant.

at 1am i woke to unhook a rather large eel. probably over 3lb.

come the morning i was dissapointed to see the weather change.
instead of being sunny at first light, which this swim needs as its very shallow close in, it was overcast and very cold.
i left it untill 10am anyway just incase there were any stragglers moving through.

i ended up moving onto a carp i saw jump while on a look about.
this meant moving my stuff right back round to the other side of the lake and casting to the far margin to get a good line lay.

by 11am i was all set up. i decided to leave the rods out as long as possible.

i had one bait in the middle, for any browsing carp to find, and the other was on the very end of a fallen oak tree. the tree had been removed a few weeks ago but i had the feeling a few carp would still be holding up there.
there were branches left sticking out the water and i cast as close as i dared.
first cast was perfect. right on the outer edges!
landed nicely as well. felt like feeding silt.
time will tell.

come 3 o clock i was edgy. i had a few lifts on both rods and they seemed like an eel to me. i reeled in the rod cast in the middle to check the bait. it was fine, so i took a gamble and left the other one out by the fallen oak. i didnt wanna cause any disturbance. the carp are very spooky.

i had to reel in by 5 and id all but given up.
it was a rubbsih weekend with 1 carp caught.

i felt like packing away 20mins early, but what else was there to do.
i sat playing snake on my phone.

bobbin hits the rod and a carp is kiting on a long line.
brilliant. ten mins to spare as well.

a good fight followed on the light rod, every time he came close, he took more line.
will it ever end?
a good 15 mins later he's gulping air and he hits the spreader block.

the guy that photographed my fish for me last week did the honours again this week.
24lb on the nose and another original carp to my tally.

to put it in perspective. i caught three carp during the winter, and lost just as many.

three in two trips.
cloud nine? you betcha

Michael · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject:

Nice one Rob

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matgreasley · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject:

well done mate, done it again!

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bigkipper · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 6:00 pm Post subject:

well done rob

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NOSEY WIFE · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject:

nice one rob well done bud

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Mac · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 6:42 pm Post subject:

Nice one young Jedi

I feel the force is strong

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richchappy · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:18 pm Post subject:

get in there rob, more 20s than you can shake a stick at....
what score did you get on snake lool

robvford · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject:

3103

mattpope · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:24 pm Post subject:

brilliant fishing mate!

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