bigkipper, on the bank........

bigkipper · bigkipper, on the bank........

well i thought it was about time i started a thread of me own. so here go`s.

a revisit to me little bit of heaven resulted in one small carp.

i fished last night and realy thought that i would have these fish cracked in no time, boy was i wrong. the long tredge across the feilds took its toll, and as i arived at the farm lake i was shattered. a bit of a sit down was in order,after a short rest and a quick fag i was up walking round the pond looking for any sign of fish, my last trip to the place saw me with two carp on the bank, nothing big but both were mint, and i couldnt wate to get stuck in to another one.

a swim for the night was picked. from here i could cover the island and the margins and see most of the water, rods out and home for the night set up. by this time it was 6pm. a forth rod was pulled out of the bag and set up in no time, something diffrent i thought for this one, with the rig set and the rod in the rest it was time to get some bait. a few micro pellet droped in the margin, and 20 minute`s later and a quick swish with me net over the top of the pellet saw enough small rudd to see me through the night. yep you guessed it an eel rod, the small rudd were disspatched and one put on as bait. half a dozen other were choped in to chunks for ground bait, line in the clip and the bail arm open, job done.

the night passed quickly, and the only action was to the eel rod, but i didnt find this out till the morning. at 1am i had a single bleep on that rod and put it down to a line bite, i later found out that it was the line being pulled from the clip, and with not enough tention on the line the alarm remaned sillent.GUTTED.

.

as the sun rose and the warmth of the morning warmed the weedy shallow i could make out carp moveing in and out of the weed`s, back at me bivvy i grabed me chum mixers and catty and made my way back. a couple of pouches of chum were scatterd over the weed bed and then it was back to me shelter, the eel rod was soon turned in to a stalking rod, and with pockets full to bursting with mixers, i found my self back on top of the fish happyly slurping down me free offering`s
just as im about to make me first cast a buzzer sound`s cripes!

i was on the rod in seconds and a pretty little common was soon in the net.

the stalking didnt go as planed, and no matter how i tried i could not get one of um to have a go, time was sliping away and nw had already been on the phone wondering when i will return.

but it was ok i saved a blank, one small common is better than nothing.

and i shall be back stronger and wiser. looking to do battle with one of the biges,

hope you enjoy BK

NOSEY WIFE

cheeky git wasnt trying to rush you home was just wondering if you had your key

nice write up there well done hun

matgreasley

well done, shame about the stalking, looks a nice lake though your bound to have a result sooner or later

chris b

Nice write up BK and a nice looking lake.glad you managed to entice one out :)

I've been married 17yrs does'nt sound like NW was rushing you home

I cant see her doing that. LOL

little kipper

good one dad when you taking me :cry:

8)

Rooney!!!

Good write up bk, glad you had one out too mate...!!!

bigkipper

well i was back on the bank friday night for a 24 hour sesh, and boy was it hot. turned up at the lake at 6.30pm and there were already 4 other guys on. my choice of swims was limited, and i had the pick of 3.

after a quick look round i whent for the one that put the most distance between me and the other anglers.

the night past with nothing but a few line bites,

saturday morning and im up at 4am watching the water and there already signs of the carp moveing in to the shallow water ready for sporning.

and sporn thay did, and very enjoyable it was to watch, as the sun rose and the heat of the day hit the water, there was nothing i could do but get the stalking rod out and have a crack at um off the top,

i managed to sneak 6 out to 11lb 04oz,

bike raceing next weekend so wont be fishing but i will be back on um the following week, when hopefully they will have there heads down,

till then good angling to you all

maple

good angling BK

bigkipper

thursday morning and im already thinking about friday night, the weather is bang on and i cant get carping out of my mind. my work is suffering as i drift in and out of a day dream.

a phone call to the lake to get me self booked on ends in disaster as my heart sinks as im told there fully booked. what now?????

a bit of a salk and im back on the phone to the fishery. my question to phill the owner was whats in the other two lakes mate, im told kingfisher only has them in to 8lb, but the family pool has 25 carp in there between 12 and 15 pound. any chance of a go on there i ask?

no prob said phill

RESULT

as no one fishes this pool the smaller carp from the main lake were moved in to there to grow on till thay are upper doubles. then thay will be moved back.

its now friday and im watching the clock, 4.30 cant come soon enough. raceing home, cold play`s why does it always rain on me is on the radio. it can rain as hard as it likes i think to my self them rods will be out by 7.30 without fail.

home and teas on the table and eaten in a flash, gear in the car and im on my way. im at the fishery by 7pm, a swim is picked and im set up in no time. theres a lot of baby carp in this pool so 20mm bait`s is just what the doctor orderd, two rods on catcher baits bannana+pinaple and one on there blackcrab & fruit. rods out and home for the night sorted, nothing to do now but watch and wait.

me first run come at 11.15pm and resulted in a pretty little mirror of 12lb this one fell to a B+P waffter. rod back out and the waiting game begins again.

11.55pm and the buzzer sound`s again drop back this time an im on it in seconds, this one put up a realy good scrap but she was soon in the net.
head light on and me first look at her, a mint common looked back at me. on the scale`s and the needle stoped at 14lb 10oz a quick pic and back she whent.

before dawn i managed to sneak one more out this time another mirror just over 14lb to the blackcrab+fruit.

it was soon light and the night had past the rods were rebaited and placed on there spots, the waiting game begins once more.

two more out before its time to pack up another 14+ and a cracking little ghosty of 11lb 6oz.

time to go home now, till the next time good angling to you all

Mac

Great write up mate

You keep practising for them smaller specimens, we have a battle on now

Steve Howard

oh yes indeed

I hear a rumour that there might be other forum members doing that match too! cripes!

little kipper

well done dad

NOSEY WIFE

well done luv

you lucky so and so boohoo

alan

nice write up BK. i think a certain NW is a little envious. lol

bigkipper

as some of you will know me and nw had vistors this week end.

matt (markerfloat) his wife and young son made the trip to devon from camberley. they arrived at midday on saturday. a cup of coffee and a chat, while the girls niped out for surplies, what was planed was that we would be fishing while the girls had a night in with the kids LOL

once every thing was sorted we were off, the lake we were fishing for the night, is old trout fishery but the last couple of years has seen it turned in to a carp lake. the last time i fished it i was fluff chucking for trout, and that was about 10 years ago

we arrived at about two ish,and had a walk round, a friend of mine (luke) was allready carping,he had been there since friday and had one carp out. we picked a swim where we could both fish from, we fished the point ,we could bivvy up right next to each other but still have are own water.

we were soon set up and fishing, as we talked about all things carpy and some things not, matt`s right hand rod tore off. a short battle and a mint low double common lay in the net. as me and luke were congratulateing matt on geting off the mark, me ultron sounded and i was in, in no time at all another low double common was safely neted. there like peas in a pod was the comment made.

with one a piece it was looking good, it wasnt just about the fishing mind as this was the first time i had met matt and as we chated a new freindship was formed,

fag after fag was rolled and smoked, a couple of beer`s sunk and the banter continued, a few more fish were caught. an eel rod was set up for the night and cast out to the margins. i managed one eel but only a little un.

the night past and it was soon time to pack up. it seems we wernt the only ones to have a good night as the girls had managed to do justice to a couple of bottle`s.

thanks for a very enjoyable sesh matt

im looking forward to doing it again soon, but yately next time a fella

get your hair cut LOL

sorry no fish pics as me camera was playing up

alan

sounds like you all had a great time. BK check to see if you still have your coffee container. lol matt likes coffee containers.

Mac

Sounds a decent weekend

Markerfloat (Matt) I knew I'd seen you before but couldn't remember when until now

Ming the merciless

Markerfloat

Good write up BK
It was a pleasure to drive for 2 1/2 hours, getting stuck at Stonehenge, and the Yovilton Air Show to spend a night on the bank with you and Luke.
Cracking little water as well rammed with stunning fish.
One tip i would pass on to you though is DONT have any spicey food the night before we next hit the bank, thats all im saying

When you come up to my patch, i will ask Alan and Jim to pop down as well and make it a little mini social. Alan may be able to organise us a guest ticket on the Split Lake where we can fish for Carp and cats :)

Mac, your not the first to say that about Ming lol B*^&"$^

NOSEY WIFE

great write up bk and cool pics

lovely to meet you markerfloat
sod him going fishing what about me

Markerfloat

you have womens work to do NF

NOSEY WIFE

oi

maybe thats true markerfloat BUT still liked to fish

as for nf well you`ve been slapped once i owe you another now

Markerfloat

LOL bring it on
you can fish with me anytime you like NF

NOSEY WIFE

woo hoo will hold you to that markerfloat

Markerfloat

No probs NF, will do an overnighter lol

Rooney!!!

Good write up BK... Thoroughly enjoyed reading it!

Can't wait for the Yately leg of this two-parter!!!

Markerfloat

sorry rooney im useless as writing lol
pics will have to do lol

bigkipper

it seem`s all i have done this week is think of carp, carp and more carp.

me and my mate luke (pocketrocket) have just started to embark on a hard as nail`s estate lake, phone call`s have been made bait ordered, what we had left from are last order has allready gone in to a few likely looking spot`s. and we will keep puting it in till we think the time is right.

a visit to the lake last week was a sucsess as after walking round the place half a dozen times we finaly found them, a bit of bait was put in to the area, a plan started to form in are mind`s and as we talked are confidence grew, with five fish over fourty to go at and more than enough thirty`s to go round, secret sqiurel is the name of the game on this water.
so at the moment that is all i can say, as not to spoil it for ourself`s. but be shaw i will keep you all posted on how we are doing

with all the high`s of the week and with the new water in mind 24-7 i had almost forgoten i was fishing friday night. a last minuit phone call to phil at four pond, saw me booked in for the night, another phone call to home and nw had the bait out of the frezzer, and thrawing on the side, work draged as my head was spinning with carpy thought`s.

with work done for the week and the weather looking cock on, confidence was running high. home and there`s no time for tea. its a race against the clock as more anglers were due at 5.30. gear sorted and im away. the closer i get to the lake`s the heavyier the rain.

im at the lake at five and there`s one chap on there already, but he`s not in the spot i fancy,RESULT. first thing out is the brolly. im not keen on this as i like to get me rods out first, but it`s tiping it down and i dont need a soaking. last peg in the ground and the rain isnt easeing. rods out of the bag, and bait on. all three on there spot`s first time.
by now i am wet, very wet and a change of clothes is needed.

half an hour pass`s and the left hand rod signal`s a drop back, the rod is soon in hand, but nothing and the bait is gone. new bait on and back to it`s mark. 20 minutes later and the same again, rig back on the bank and the bait is missing once more. the other 2 rod`s are wond in and there the same

. the penny drop`s. last years sporn is playing haveark with me soft boilie`s. a hand full of pellet in close and what i feared was spot on as a couple of hundred fingerling`s mop up the pellet at an alarming rate.

in to the bait bag and out come some bullet proof bait`s, a few air dried baits are put on a stringer and all rod`s are placed back on there spot`s. by now the rain is starting to get me down, the other 2 anglers that were turning up never arrived,

10.30pm and the rain stop`s, thank god for that. im not religious but some times a little prairse is needed. a quick check on one of the rod`s and the bait is still on. rod back on the rest and it`s time to climb in the bag and get a little shut eye.

12.30am and the middle rod is away. fish on, the battle was over in no time, and i was the victor, a cracking common was put on the scale`s and the neddle setled on 14-4.

new bait on and a stringer sorted, back in the bag i started to drift off. it seemed i had only just shut my eye`s when the left hand rod`s bobin hit the floor. carp number 2 was on and not very happy about it, a tug of war that seemed to last an age was thankfully over as another mint common lay in the net. this one went 14-10.

3.18am and a better fish is hooked a very slow and doged fight comences bit by bit im gaining line and not willing to give any back. it`s all over sooner than i think as she goes in the net first time. that`s a better one i think to my self as i lift her from the water. in the sling and on the scale`s 17-8 mirror.

the next few hour`s saw another 3 carp on the mat the best going 17-12

15-10

17-12

total tally 6 out none lost

common 14-4
common 14-10
mirror 17-8
mirror 15-10
mirror 14-6
mirror 17-12

11.00am and the phone ring`s it`s nw? littlekipper needs to go to exeter hostpital asap, he has a rather large absess on the inside of his mouth, as allways it`s family first so with the gear packed away and im on my way home.

even with his face swollen up to twice it`s size (brakes my heart

) he still wants to go fishing tomorrow,

till the next time good angling to you all.

BenMay

Well done mate

maple

nice going bk

NOSEY WIFE

nice one bk

shame the same diddnt happen for me boohoo

well done again

xx

bigkipper

thanks folk`s

Rooney!!!

Spot on bk... Good angling mate...!

Enjoyed the write up...

Setting up in the rain sucks a@*e though doesn't it bud...!!!

bigkipper

to right rooney,
but it keeps the fair weather anglers away LOL

Rooney!!!

That is sooooo true...!!! 8)

bigkipper

been fishing wednesday`s after work lately and only geting about 3 hour`s in,

have spent most of them on me new water, and it`s slow very slow. four blanks and one fish of 17.12 to show for me effort`s, the bait`s still going in and only time will tell.

when me mate get`s round to leting me have the pic of me first fish from the lake then i will post it up.

this wednesday we thought we would try some where different, i need to get a bend in me rod. so upton lake near cullumpton was our chose, theres plenty of carp to go at in this lake with most being high single`s and low double`s with the odd twenty knocking about.

6pm and im at the lake luke is already set up and fishing, and it`s not long before im joining him, rod`s out and it`s time for a fag.

a short time later and me phone bleep`s telling me i have a text. it`s luke two swim`s down leting me know that he`s just had a low doubble common, im in the middle of replying when the delkim signals a drop back on the right hand rod.

nothing there??? a recast to the spot and ten min`s later and the same happen`s again??? a quick check of the hook and i find the point is bent over, new rig on and back on the spot.

7pm and the left hand rod is away. resulting in a pretty little ghosty of 8.2.... one more carp out before i go home and this one was a little smaller, but both fish fell to brendon bait`s spicey fish, first time ive used it on this water and it was no surprise that i caught, as it does the buiesness every where ive used it,

it`s now 9pm and time to pack up. a quick stop at me new water to put a bit of bait in and im on me way home.

Mac

Great stuff BK

maple

good dangling bk

Markerfloat

Nice one BK, keep it going mate :)

NOSEY WIFE

well done babe

oh i want to catch one of them

bigkipper

not long got back from another after work session.

after a nightmare of a day at work i couldnt wate to get home and get the gear in the car, trafic was murder and im home 20 min`s late. i dont think me tea touched the sides as i woolfed it down, tackle in the moter and im on my way.

i arived at the lake at just after 6pm, and me mate luke was already fishing, me rods were soon set up and double 18mm spiceyfish was put on the hair, first rod out then the second, a single bait was put on the third rod and dumpt on the spot,

the plan was to fish all rod`s as single bait and to put no free offering`s out, hopeing that i would fool one or two better fish.

it wasnt long and im in. after a good scrap i have a little ghosty on the mat of about five pound`s, recast rod back to the spot and time for a fag.

just after 7pm and me middle rod burst`s in to life. the sound of the delkim break`s the evenig silence, and carp number two is hooked and played, after a short fight she`s in the net.

a real old warrior, and more than welcome. on the scale`s she`s a little lighter than we first thought at 16.12. but still a stuning fish.

8.15pm and the lights fading fast, it`s time to pack up and go home, ive only had two hour`s of fishing to night. so im well chuffed with geting two out.

BK

NOSEY WIFE

nice one bk

oh wheres pocket rocket hiding in shame hehe

well done luv

Mac

Boo Hoo your's is bigger than mine........... ooooer missus

Well done mate

alan

nice one BK. you old worzel you. lol

alan

BK and NW are fishing on the split lake, at yately, with jim (due to work i coulndt go).

he has had a new PB a **** common, so far.
nice one mate

Mac

alan

Ghost · BK

****** PB …. Well done BK

bigkipper

sorry guy`s but ive had to edit your post as we have a comp runing in the zone at the mo, (geuss the weight)

let`s hope not to many of them have seen it LOL

Steve Howard

Nice one Bk, good angling sir **lb eh,

bigkipper

yateley......

if you have been following my blog then you will know that matt(markerfloat) come down to sunny devon in the summer for a session on one of me waters close to home.
before leaveing the invite was returned and me and nw would go up this year and fish yateley, well that time had come.

thursday night and me and nw are sorting out the gear ready for the weekend, friday was booked of work, baby sitter`s sorted for the kid`s. and i was buzzing, nw was a little worried as she had never done a night before let alone a weekend.

friday and the kid`s are out of the way and the mountin of gear was in the car, the plan was to meet matt at the fleet services`s on the M3 and then drive to yateley were we would meet jim and alan. two and a half hour`s and we are pulling in to the service`s and matt`s already there waiting for us.
a quick stop at yateley angling centre for tickets and were on our way to the complex.

we were fishing the split lake for the weekend while jim would be on the car park lake, word had got to us that alan couldnt make it as he had to go to work at short notice. matt give me and nw a hand with our gear, jim would arive in an hour so that give us enough time to set up and get our home`s for the weekend sorted, we chose a swim on one of the point`s so that we would have one bay in front of us and one behind, just puting the last bivvy peg`s in the ground and jim come`s round the corner with a big smile on his face, we have a bit of a chat about the lake before jim makes his way to the car park lake to set up.

the light is fadeing fast and matt`s helping nw with her rod`s while im haveing a bit of a lead around, as i pull me rod back i feel the unmistakeable bump bump of gravel, a metre of line is pulled from the reel and the line cliped up, the plan was not to fish the gravel but to fish the silt patch beyond it, new rig`s were tyed as this is a barbed hook only venu, 7"of amnesier was tyed with a palmer not to a size 4 stiff riger and a long supple hair. on this whent two 18mm brendon baits spicey fish, a three bait stringer was sliped on the hook and im ready to make a cast.
first rod on a spot im happy with, but the light has gone by now so the second rod is droped in the margin with a few bait`s around it.

time to get the kettle on for a much needed brew. matt wasnt fishing the friday night as he had to take his wife and mother inlaw to the airport in the morning, so we said our goodbye`s and settled down for the night,
time to get the pan out and russell up something to eat, a nice big plate of pasta was soon ready. and with full bellys we were ready for what ever the split lake had to throw at us.

10pm and it`s time to retire, the warmth of me sleeping bag was calling me as the tempreture droped,it wasnt long and i soon drifted off to sleep.

1.50am the delkim signal`s a drop back, out of me bag and no time to get me boot`s on as a steedy run developes. standing in me socks i pick up the rod and lean in to the fish. me first yateley carp is on, the adreline is pumping through my body as i feel the line pinging of under water branches, all im thinking is dont fall off,dont fall off.

i see a shape of a carp apear in the inkey black water in front of me, and im shakeing as she goes in the net first time, by now nw is out of the her bivvy and is asking what`s going on, i wisper to her that i have got one, how big she ask`s, i dont know come my reply.

on the mat and head light at the ready, pierceing white light cut`s through the darkness, and the golden flanks of a yateley common shine back at me.
ooooooooo my good is all i hear from nw as i slip my prize in the sling.
on the scale`s, and it suddenley dawn`s on me that ive just smashed me common pb, at....26lb.6oz im over the moon, pic`s are taken and then she is returned to her watery home. kettle on and theres no way i can go back to sleep now, a little dance on the bank and its time to get the rod back out.

a new pb is always welcome.

i finealy get me head down, and before i know it im opening my eye`s again this time to daylight and a lake blaketed by fog. the kettle is on once more. and the first of many coffee`s is sunk. as the sun rose and the fog burnt off a lovely sunny day awaited us. word had come that baby orange had been out of the car park lake at 40lb 4oz, but not to jim.

mid day and i have the chance to have a good look round both our swims with the marker rod, many gravel patches are found and the plan was the same , we would fish the silt areas around the gravel, as i felt this would give us the best chance, jim come round again for a chat and he had already herd that i had one out in the night, the day was very quiet with just the odd fish showing here and there.

the day was gone before we new it and the light was already fadeing, rod`s rebaited and on to spot`s that stood us in with a chance, a third rod was set up and was to be fished in the same maner as the other two but in the bay behind me were i had found a nice patch of gravel earlyier.

saturday night seemed a little warmer than friday`s did. and with the radio on 5live ready for the rugby to start we retired to the warmth of the bivvy to await the game.

what a game, even if we did lose well done lads you did us proud.

shortley after the start of the game nw had a run on her right hand rod, and a fish was hooked for a short moment, i could see that she was not best pleased with the outcome but hay thats carp fishing for you.

radio off and it`s time to hit the sack. im asleep as soon as me head hit`s me pillow. 10.20pm and me right hand rod is away as a screeming delk breaks the night time silence, fish on. five min`s later and with not much of a scrap i have yateley carp number two in the fold`s of the net, on the mat and a mint leather looks up at me in disbelief, on the scale`s and the neddle stop`s at 17lb resolt.

rod back out and back in me bag. 2am and im woken by a delkim going in to melt down, it`s the rod in the bay behind me, im up and out and a big fish is pulling hard, try as i might i could not turn her and before i could do anything she was snaged, i kept the presure on but she wouldnt budge. rod back in the rest and a chance for both of us to have a breather and a rethink, twenty minites and no sign of movement, shed sliped the hook and left me atached to a under water tree.

the rest of the night brought no more action and dawn was with before we new it. the teidess task of packing up started, and as we waved good bye to yateley and the split lake, i new that i would be back there sooner rather than later, a truley magic place to be. with another new freindship formed, jim truly is a top bloke and i look forward to fishing with him again.
thanks for all your help guys and maybe next time we can get alan down there to.

till next time good angling to you all

CHADDY321

Top dangling and write up BK

And a big well done on the new PB fella

Ghost

Great write up BK, two Yateley Fish and a PB top weekend.
Well down mate!! dance

alan

nice one BK. next time you go i will be asking for a few pointers

unlucky NW better luck next time

Mac

Well done mate, good write up and the pics aint bad either

Jim

Nice one BK, excellent result especially considering the weather conditions (Clear and cold) and the venue doesn't give up it's residents with ease, great dangling mate.

I had a great weekend up there with you two and look forward to next time.

Markerfloat

Result BK, well done mate, 2 fish, one a PB, you cant ask for more than that :)

NOSEY WIFE

great write up there luv really enjoyed reading it .

what a fish

bigkipper

thanks all

02jlloyd

good write up mate

congrats on the common pb

bigkipper

friday come and i had finaly made my mind up where to fish this weekend, i had spent the week thinking about all the water`s i have in my area but non of them took my fancy. so i decided to fish staffordmoor fishery in winkley north devon, the weather looked bang on with a westerly wind turning in to a warm south westerly by sat morning, and with rain forcast as well it was to good to be true.

bait`s out of the freezer and new rig`s tyed and im ready for the off, gear in the car and it`s time to make the one hour trip to the lake, as i left home another shower of rain pushed along by a strong wind only confirmed the weather man had got it right for a change.

1pm and im turning in to the gate`s of the fishery, and it`s bucketing it down, and the wind must be nudging 30mph, i pay me money to andy the owner, and set about picking a swim for me 24hour sesh a quick walk round and there`s only one place to be, a small bay in one corner where the wind is banging in hard, first thing to do is let the rain die down a bit before geting the gear out, a break in the weather, at long last. there no time to waste as the first thing up`s me bivvy, normaly rod`s would be the first thing`s out but with this weather i was takeing no chance`s.

bivvy up and rod`s sorted, just in time to as the rain started to get heavy once more. kettle on and fag rolled, by now it 3pm and im feeling more than a little confident. the hours tick by way to fast as the rain get`s harder and the wind blow`s stronger, im starting to doupht my choice of swim.

2am and the rain hasnt stoped and the wind is giveing the stealth brolly a right hammering, me delk`s are singing tune`s of there own as me rod`s are blown all over the place, i would never of known i had a run if i hadnt been watching my rod`s for there own safety, out of me bivvy and im soaked before i reach me rod`s, FISH ON and then fish off, a few harsh words later and im trying to get the rod back on the spot. bloody hell i must be crazy. rod back out as close to the spot as i can get it, then back in the bivvy for a change of clothes, kettle on and the weather`s geting worse.

how i manged to get any sleep i will never know, but im awake again by 5am watching the rod`s. 7am and the light is just starting to poke through, the rain ease`s and it`s time to rebait the rod`s. rod`s all sorted and the kettle`s on once more. the wind is so strong by now that im starting to think this wasnt such a good idea. 10am and i have a drop back on the right hand rod. i dont need telling twice and im on it, as a nice fish pull`s hard doing all it can to say good bye to me, the tug of war is nearly won as the carp come`s closer to the wateing net. just as she take`s her first gulp of air the hook pull`s cripes!

no time to dwell on it ive got to get that rod back out there.

11am and the right hand rod tip pull`s round and stay`s locked, that`s not the wind, carp number 3 is on but for how long. this one`s played out like it`s a new world record, and it look`s like it`s worked as a lovely little simmo glide`s in the net, on the scale`s just out of interest and she goes 11lb 14oz, a quick pic is taken for all you to see, and me first december carp is returned.

rod rebaited and back out on the spot, the rain has stoped and the wind has died to a stiff breeze. time to pack up while the going`s good by now it`s 1pm and the gear`s in the car ready for the journey home, i couldnt of picked a better time as the rain come down once more, it`s now 10.30pm as i write this and it`s still raining out and the wind show`s no sign`s of leting up.

till the next time good angling to you all.

another one to brendon bait`s spicy fish

Ghost

p.s have a shave you look so much cuter

The only way he could look cuter Ghost is with a balaclava on back to front

Keep at it BK

backlead

nice fish, good writing

backlead

bigkipper

cheer`s backlead

bigkipper

well i haven't written anything for a while, and that`s because i haven't been out much.
but i had a chance for a 24 hour session this weekend and i grabbed it with both hand`s, the old feeling of excitement creped in like it does and i was buzzing.

i had planed to fish a lake on a holiday camp that does not allow day ticket`s, a little sweet talking to the owner`s over e-mail`s and I'm on, "fantastic" i had never seen the water before let alone fished it so i was going in blind. that`s alway`s a bit of a risk and even more so this time of year. all i new was that there was carp in there and the biggest had been out at just over 30.

Saturday morning and I'm sorting out the gear and the phone ring`s. it`s me mate luke asking if I'm fishing this weekend, to right i am mate I'm off in a few hour`s for a 24 hour session...... any chance i can come he ask`s???. a quick e-mail to the holiday complex and a returned e-mail saying no problem. "your in mate" what bait was the next question form him, it`s a no boilie water buddy so I'm gonna be on the maze over hemp. we arranged to meet at mine at 1.30pm.

luke arrived and we set off to the lake. half an hour later and were pulling in to the gate`s, not a soul in site so we go and have a look at are home for the night, it`s not very big but it`s got plenty of character, with two island`s and an average depth of around six feet it doesn't look to bad, the bottom, of what we could see was very stony with margin`s that drooped of steeply, with that a car pull`s up and we can only presume it`s the owner,

yes it`s the owner as an out stretch hand welcome`s us, a walk around and we are shown the toilet block, shower block and where we can get hot and cold water if we need it. this is the last thing on my mind as all i want to do is talk about the lake and the fish it hold`s, but soon enough the conversation turn`s to angling, and we find out that the owner (gary) is not a fisherman, but try`s to help the best he can. he explains that him and his wife have only been running the place since last august, and he has herd that there is some very big fish in the specimen pool but he has not seen anything bigger than 18lb banked but then again they don't seem to get many fisherman staying anyway judging by the conversation.

two swim`s were picked and the rod`s set up, there`s a two rod rule as well so i feel a little handy caped as i normally fish three but rule`s are rule`s. a little lead around in the margin`s and at the bottom of the steep drop off it`s nice and hard and very stony, i was hoping for a bit of silt but not to worry, luke come`s round and tell`s me he`s found a really nice patch of silt in one corner (GIT) and is going to put a bait on it. my other rod is just begging me to bang it up against the island, and not one to disappoint two grain`s of hair riged maze were on there way followed by a couple of pouch`s of the same.

now it`s time for a fag and something to eat, full belly, rod`s out and a warm sleeping bag to climb in to later does life get any better i ask my self. the light is starting to fade and it`s getting very cold as the left hand rod is almost riped out of the rest, fish on but what is it, the fight is not like a carp and is more like a chub, ooooo my god it is a chub and at around two and a half pound not a bad start i think to my self as i slip her back. not really what I'm after but more than welcome never the less. rod back out, and my hand`s are freezing, boy has it got cold. with that the island rod is away and I'm playing another small fish, this time it is a carp a small ghosty but at lest it`s a carp. carp number one is slipped back and more maze is applied to the island spot rod back in the rest and it`s time to get in the bag. two more small carp graced my frozen net in the next couple of hour`s, and i was finally able to get some sleep. no more action come my way as the night toke on a bitter chill that sore the water freeze before my eye`s.

first light and where`s luke?????? he seem`s to have vanished during the night, a quick look in the car park and his car`s gone, well he didn't say he had to leave early and he never said good bye (cheer`s mate) well with the lake frozen it was time to pack up and head home and a hug with the radiator brrrrrrrr.

i did find out when i got home that luke couldn't hack the cold and shyed off at 3am...... light weight.....

BK

carpmanjay

Nice write up BK

well done on the captures m8 good going with the weather being like that, sounds like you should be able to wangle a few more sesions out of him too for when the weathers a bit easier !!

JAFFA

Good write up Kips and it does look cold buddy.

kind regards Jeff

Mac

That does look chilly...............glad I was working in a nice warm factory....... but then again I'd have swapped with ya

Nice one mate

bigkipper

cheer`s fella`s

Beaky

Poofta

On that night I was all nice and warm in the house....

Rooney!!!

Nice write up me ol' mucker.... Glad you got a result too mate....

Looks an interesting prospect too for you...

bigkipper

i only did 18 hour`s of the 24, because the lake had froze over, but when i got home i had an e-mail from the owner saying he owed us a day`s fishing as we didn't do the full 24 hour`s. cripes!

you don't get that very often

so soon as the ice is gone i shall have another crack at um.

it certainly warrant`s a few more session`s me think`s

bigkipper

OPENING DAY

1st of march is opening day on one of my local water. after a two month lay off to let the fish rest up and recover after a busy season i was well up for it when the alarm clock bleeped to let me know it was time to make a move. the last time i was at this lake was with NW where she had a new pb in the shape of a 9lb 12oz mirror and i think that was closing day if I'm right. she manged three and i blanked!!!!!!
this is one of them water`s that has a big head of carp but most are single figure fish with a good scattering of double`s and a couple of twenty`s, this place is alway`s good for a bend in your rod.

well after hitting the snooze button twice i was up a little later than i wanted to be. dressed and a cup of coffee made it was time to put the gear in the car, a quick stop at the shop for some food for the day and i was on my way to the lake. 7.30 and I'm there, as i thought there were already five carpers there no point walking the lake as most of one bank was already taken. there`s no one on the far side (to far to walk

) so that was me sorted, gear on the barrow and a swim in one corner will be my home for the day, the chose was simple i wanted to be as far away form the other angler as could be. i know this lake well so i knew where i wanted me bait`s and they were out in no time. I'm out of spicy fish at the moment, so richworth tutifruiti on one rod and me own home made strawberry plum on the other two job done.

the morning past very quickly, and i never had a bleep, a few small fish had been out to the other angler`s but i was hoping that all the pressure on that side of the lake would push a few fish my way. 1pm and i have a funny take on the middle rod i don`t need telling twice and I'm on it, a small common of about 3lb is in the net. first fish to the tutifruiti, only small but I'm of the mark. 2.30pm and me right hand rod slam`s round and I'm in to a fish. this one feel`s a bit better. a spirited fight and a lovely looking mirror is on the mat on the scale`s and the needle settles on 9lb 12oz, I'm well chuffed with this fish as it`s the first one i have caught on a bait i only concocted on Thursday.

rod back out and it`s time for a fag and make some note`s in me log book. i have a visitor in the shape of the owner, 3 rod`s that`s £6 please.
bargain. 3pm and the right hand rod is away again this time it`s another common, and this one`s a little bigger at 11lb 6oz.
the chap closest to me is in to a fish and once landed decide`s that every one should know it 13lb and a half pound`s :? .
3.30 and me homemade`s are away, right hand rod again they certainly like getting in that gully that run`s along the bottom of the shelf.
soon another common is in the net and it`` 9lb 2oz. time is flying bye and i seem to be on to some fish. the next run come to the left hand rod at 4.15pm and resulted in a mirror of 12lb 10oz another one to the homemade`s

15 minutes later and I'm in to another this time it`s the middle rod, which by now had been changed to me strawberry plum with a four bait stringer. this is a better fish, and don't i know it as I'm praying for this tug of war to end, no need to worry as the little size 10 hold`s fast and a cracking looking mirror is in the fold`s of the net. I'm over the moon when i see it`s the biggest fish of the day so far, as the Reuben`s settle on 15lb 2oz.
there don't half like this new bait and this is proved to me at 4.55pm when another run to the right hand rod produce`s a common of 13lb on the dot, no sooner was this fish in the net when the middle rod scream`s off and another good fish is hooked, she`s beat in no time and laying in the net next to the first. a brace of common`s is almost to much for me as i put the second one on the scale`s 15lb 8oz. i am buzzing.

they come on a little later than i thought they would but the homemade`s showed there worth and accounted for 7 of the 8 carp i caught, I'm well chuffed.

I'm ready for that social now i think

here`s some pic`s BK.

12lb 10oz

15lb 2oz

brace, 15lb 8oz and 13lb

home for the day

matgreasley

BK those mirrors are stunning! Especially the 15!!! what a peach!

Good angling Si, and nice write up

carpmanjay

well done BK!! i loved those baits u sent me mate!! i told you that strawberry was worth a crack!! unfortuatley i blanked today but with only 6 known fish in the lake i was on i was allways against it!! Next time im down im going there!!!

Mac

Brilliant stuff BK well done

bigkipper

cheer`s fella`s

jay, i have tweeked them a little since the one`s i sent you, i will roll you some more up and send um off to you mate. see what you think.

carpmanjay

lovely job mate!!!

bigkipper

home ground

it`s been a funny old start to the year,
with so many plan`s and a hand full of water`s to target
i never thought i would see my self back on the banks of
me local canal chasing carp.
some eight year`s ago now was the last time i wet a line
for them allusive canal fish...
i had spent the hole of the 1990`s chasing these carp
up and down the tow path and in the ten year`s on there
i had banked 39 carp with only one repeat capture
the best going 22.8.
there was one reason why i stopped other carper`s...
from having the place to my self for so long
i new it was only a matter of time before other`s would try
there hand at the canal carp.
that was early 2001 and bivvy`s started popping up
every where, i did think at the time that i might as well
fish the puddle`s this is where i expected to see other carper`s
so that`s what i did. i left the canal and never looked back,
the would be canal carper`s come and went,
with the canal being a hard water with four fish a year
being a good year most that tried didn't stay long.
but my hart was not in it any more and i had no wish to return.

eight year`s on and Ive been hit by lightning,
i have seen the enthusiasm and passion
in my fishing buddy`s face and the excitement in his voice,
and this reminded me of how i once was in regard`s
to the canal and it`s resident carp.
not one to let someone down i told him i would show him
some of the spot`s i used to fish, before i know what`s going
on i have bought a club ticket and am planing
are first over nighter.

as we walked the bank with our tackle
i didn't know if i really wanted to be there or not,
i had vowed never to return but here i am
with carp gear weighing me down
as i make my way to my chosen swim.
Luke is buzzing and cant stop asking question`s
i try and show a little enthusiasm but I'm struggling.
rod`s out and brolly up time for a fag and a good think
about what the hell I'm doing here.
the evening drag`s on
and Luke`s like a school kid with a bag of sweet`s
and i can relate to that as i once was to.
the only regret that i had about leaving all them years
ago is that i really wanted one more carp,
so as to make my tally up to 40.

i told Luke to expect to blank
as the canal does not give up it`s resident`s easily
and they are not in here in big number`s.
the fact that the canal is 11 mile`s long
with no lock`s then the carp could be any where.
dusk fall`s and i climb in me bag
and look forward to a good night`s kip, at 1.50am
I'm rudely awaken by a drop back....on it in a flash
and i know instantly that it`s a snotty.
at around 4lb and covered in spawning spot`s
she`s slipped back to re join the shoal.

I'm back in the land of nod before me head hit`s the pillow.
7am and nothing else has happened
other than it has started snowing,
out with the camera for a couple of pic`s.
then it`s time for a fag.
it`s close to 8am and Luke come`s over to see how Ive got on,
i tell him about the bream
and he tell`s me he had a dropped run in the night
but has had no fish, as we chat about all thing`s carpy
i have a take on me middle rod this is no bream
as the line is whistling of the reel.
on the rod and i know this is a carp
and I'm a little dazed and stunned all at the same time,
i just cant believe it.
in the net first time
and cracking little canal common in perfect condition
is now laying on me mat.
on the scale`s the needle stop`s at 12.8...
the size doesn't matter as this fish is very special
i have waited 8 year`s to catch my 40th fish from here
and now here she is on my first trip back.
the feeling of every fish i have caught
from the canal all come flooding back
and i now feel at home once more.
i sit and write this with a very big smile on my face,
and something has now started that i know i can not stop.

staturday evening

sunday morning

snow

a very special canal carp

back she goes

carpmanjay

nice read si and pukka pics!!!

well done on the fish too, previous knowledge mate, me thinks you and lukey boy will be heading back there again!!!!!

chris b

cracking write up simon well done on the fish.

Mac

Nice one Kips..........chuffed for ya

bigkipper

cheer`s fella`s

richchappy

nice fish mate, and great milestone... now for the 50th

bigkipper

FEELING AT HOME.

well after the success of my first trip back on the canal, i new it would not be long before i ventured back to pit my wit`s against`s these magnificent canal fish. and with Luke not deterred after his first blank night on the canal we made are plan`s.

Luke talked about baiting a couple of swim`s for us to concentrate on, but i told him that i have tried this before and it didn't bring me any extra fish, just a bigger hole in my pocket. i went on to explain that we are fishing for one bite a sesh and that big beds of bait were not the way to go, trap`s baited with just enough bait for one fish was all that was needed.

three bait stringer`s and thirty bait`s around each rig was the order of the day. it`s the same tactic that caught my 40th carp from the canal and one that has accounted for a fare number of all the other`s that Ive banked.

the bait was going to be my home made tiger and maple this is what had worked on that first sesh back so this is what i would stick to.
3kg was rolled on Wednesday night enough for us to put a little out on Thursday evening and leaving enough for us to fish with on Friday and Saturday night.

worked dragged on Friday and i couldn't wait to get on the canal, 6.30pm and Luke arrive`s at mine and the gear`s soon in his car. i say my good bye`s to NW and the kid`s and we are on our way. a two mile drive and we pull in to the car park. gear loaded on our back`s and we make the short walk to our chosen swim`s... i fished the same swim as last Saturday and Luke moved to my right for this night. two of my bait`s were to placed as tight to the far margin wall as i could get them and the third rod would be fished tight to the bank that we were fishing. Luke`s swim had some nice feature`s a barge mored opposite and a jetty. one rod on the jetty for him and one either side of the barge.

with the light starting to fade i wondered if i would bag another carp, and to be honest a blank was on the card`s, a couple of beer`s were cracked open and more than a few fag`s smoked, 10pm and it`s time to retire for the night as i closed my eye`s i did hope that Luke would get in to one.

11.55pm and I'm woken by a twitchy take on me left hand rod, bloody snotty`s i thought as i climbed out of me bag. in second`s i was next to the rod but the bobbin had stooped moving, i could hear a voice in my head screaming HIT IT!!!!!!!! so i did......... fish on..... a steady battle commenced and i wasn't sure what the culprit was, it was certainly pulling hard and taking a bit of line. this couldn't be another carp surely.

ten yard`s out and deep swirls are seen in the moon light,a steady pressure is kept on her and she`s in the net, thank god for that. on the mat and head light on. what a stunner i thought as the light reflected back of the flank`s of a pristine canal liner. on the scale`s and she`s 13.8....but what a fish and my second in two over night session`s.

Luke finished the night with another blank, but was still keen to do Saturday night.

Saturday night was very quiet and i didn't have so much as a bleep and nor did Luke, but that`s just the way it goes on the canal with so much water they could be any where, i know the spot`s but that`s not to say I'm going to be on fish.......but I'm feeling at home once more on the canal and i cant wait for the next sesh.

sacked for the night and photoed at first light.

Mac

Clonking stuff me 'ol mucka

CHADDY321

Well done BK..... cracking looking fish that fella

carpmanjay

Well done BK!!

at this rate it wont be long until you hit into one of the biggies!!

you are making this canal fishing look easy!

Onions

what a beauty

NOSEY WIFE

your doing good bk since you didnt really want to go back to the canal

good write up and stunning fish

bigkipper

having fun......

well i haven't been dangling for a while, a problem with the car has put paid to that. so when me mate luke offered to take me and NW to a lake of are chose to do a bit of carping, well the offer was to good to pass up.

NW hasn't been out on the bank since march and i know she was relay looking forward to it as i was. baby sitter sorted for the kid`s and enough bait rolled for the day. a trip on Saturday morning to me local farm supplies to get some pellet and we are sorted.

it wasn't going to be an early start as the baby sitter was not arriving until 10am. gear sorted on Saturday night and bait out of the freezer. Sunday morning and were raring to go, luke arrives at 9.30am and the gear is soon in the car. the baby sitter is running behind and will be a little late, but that`s alright there`s no rush.

finally we are on are way..... the water we are fishing is 7 acer`s and stuffed with carp of all size`s most of which are single`s but there is a few double and a couple of 20`s. the idea though is to have fun and get a bend in the rod`s. as we pull in to the car park it is clear to see that it`s busy....very busy there`s a match on and one bank is rammed with angler`s as we walk we realize that the other bank is much the same and filled with day ticket fisherman.

as we round the bend we see that the bay at the far end is free so without going any further we turn back to get the tackle. back at are swim`s for the day the task of setting up the rod`s begin`s. bait on and the first cast is made. rod`s in place and it`s time to see how NW is getting on.

time`s ticking on and nether of us has had a fish, there`s sign`s of fish spawning so this could be the reason. with that me middle rod is away and i pull in to a fish, a couple of thumps and it`s off. grrrrrrrrrr. rod back out and time for a fag. half an hour pass`s and the bobbin on the left hand rod pull`s up tight.....fish on...... this one`s soon in the net and a cracking little mirror is soon unhooked and returned. a couple more carp later and it all goes very quiet. NW is still to catch but i know it want be long before she`s in to one.

well she did get in to one and another one but i will let her tell you about them.

time was running out as luke was coming back to pick us up at 6pm. the last hour was frantic as the carp found the bait on the bar and the bobbin`s just kept on dancing. i finished the day with nine carp landed and one lost, nothing big but all great fun.

and that`s what it`s all about fun fun fun, we both had a cracking day and it was great to be back on the bank and get a few fish out.

this is the sort of fish that make for fun day`s fishing.

carfty carper no15

nice one and a good write up

wuzy

Well in fella, your on a roll now

Mac

carpmanjay

well done BK nice write up too.

carpmanjay

And i bet you enjoyed that free takeaway lol

bigkipper

yep i sure did

meat feast pizza with garlic mushrooms

had the day off work today so went fishing, catch report coming soon.

carpmanjay

you lucky sod!!!!!!

bigkipper

day off.......

well i had a day off work today and i had planed to fish last night and today.......

i had booked myself in for 24 hour`s on one of me local water, a phone call to NW to get some bait out of the freezer for me and I'm all set. by the time i get home from work it`s lashing down and getting heaver by the minute. GREAT this place fish`s it`s head off in the rain and there`s only one swim i want peg one, this swim control`s the water from the inlet pipe and when it`s raining hard the carp really love to get in there in there number`s.

i was told on the phone by phil the owner of the lake that there was another angler fishing the night, so i was hoping that he would be in one of the other swim`s but just encase he was in peg one then there`s only one other i would fish and that would be peg 6, this is opposite swim one and has a rather large plato out in front of it.

I'm at the lake by 7pm and the carper fishing the night is in the swim i was after.... not to worry i think to myself peg 6 will do me. first thing`s first and thats to get the stealth up so i have somewhere dry to put my gear. the rain is coming down by the bucket load and i know a change of clothes is on the card`s. stealth out of the bag and I'm screwing in the storm pole`s when mister i own the whole lake cos i was here first pipe`s up and say`s you cant fish there Ive got a bait on the plato cripes!

well I'm socked to the skin battling with me brolly and am not responding how this so called carper would like me to. to cut a long story short i lost my rag and went on a right one. with plenty of abusive language. i phoned phil and told him what was going on. he said he would have a word with him as the plato belong`s to peg 6. but it was to late i did not want to fish now, i was shaking with anger and if i stayed, there would be a carper floating face down in the lake by morning. so i left and went home...

i woke up this morning and thought that i was not going to let that idiot spoil my day off so the gear was back in the car and i was on my way to our club lake. Ive got my work cut out as this lake has a no boilies no particle no pellet and only half a kilo of bait per angler rule and to top it all off it`s one rod only

a quick walk round and there`s no sign of carp. so a swim is picked on past capture`s. it`s clear to me within a couple of hour`s that Ive made the wrong chose. as Ive seen two carp bosh out at the other end, so it`s gear on the barrow and a move for me. set up in my new pitch i can see a few carpy shape`s under the surface, a plan start`s to form as i lightly scatter some corn next to the pad`s. a stalking rod is soon set up and a rod for bottom bait`s also. I'm going to keep feeding corn in small amounts and then every hour give it a go for an hour. that will give me a chance to see if i can get one off the top.

there`s a couple of good carp on the far bank taking what appears to be tiny yellow leave`s cripes!

so a couple of grain`s of pop up corn are placed on the hook. net and mat are soon in hand and as i make the short walk to the other side, as i approach i can see one of the carp clearly...it`s a big fat common and it look`s like it`s well up for it, i sneak in to position and flick my offering to a small patch of pad`s.

with that my phone ring`s it` NW seeing how I'm getting on, I'm in the middle of stalking a clonking common i tell her. all of a sudden a dirty great pair of lip`s come out of the water and suck down my fake corn. before i can react the corn is rejected and the two carp that were there disappear.. boohoo

back at my swim with my tail between my leg`s it`s time to give the bottom bait a go for an hour, and wait for my next chance on the floater`s. well that chance did not come as the wind picked up and made it impossible to spot um. a couple more likely looking spot`s were primed with corn and would be checked regularly. kettle on and time for a fag. it`s almost 1pm and my rod on the pad`s is away, well i wish it was away but instead the carp made a beeline for the center of the Lilly`s before i could get a hand on the rod. the pad`s put up a right good scrap and i manèged to get at least six of um out but no carp

.

time to check me other spot`s. there`s a carp feeding on one of them so it`s back to get me rod and net, a small pva bag is slipped on to the hook and lowered in to position (light blue touch paper and stand well back). no sooner is the rod in the rest and I'm thinking of my next move when it`s away.... FISH ON..... I'm not messing around with this one and it`s in the net before it know`s what`s going on. the scales tell me that it`s a little over 8lb not massive but it`s a start... pic taken and she`s slipped back.

back at me swim i replace the rod back on the pad`s and put the kettle on. before i can put the sugar in me cup a screaming delkim grab`s my attention. on it in a flash and carp number two is on it`s way to the net, a little bigger this one at just over 9lb. i couldn't buy a bite after that and it was nearly time to pack up. last thing to put away is me rod and a good job to as a funny take result`s in a last minute crusian of 2lb 8oz.. get in there.

some pic`s

the lake

the swim

the fish

Mac

Fantastic write up BK

Not sure I would have been so patient with Mr carper on your 1st night Mwraahaha

Rooney!!!

Well in Si...

Especially pleased for ya on those canal captures bud... It's so rewarding when you know there's not many in there eh?

What a cracker that linear is... cripes!

Brilliant write ups mate... Should be doin some college work but had to stop and read the lot... Makes me wish I could get out there

, but reading your reports is definitely the next best thing... Cheers mate...