Broken that 30lb barrier!

Onions · Broken that 30lb barrier!

After visiting a Shropshire mere a number of times during the closed season I studied the lake and began to decide the best way to go once it opens. The week after opening I managed a quick 24hr session on the Saturday night but only managed a small tench. There were a few anglers on as it was the beginning of the season as always. The regulars said there’s always a fair few the first couple of weeks but once they have blanked a few times the soon fade away. Last week a I had to take made dad to Leicester to pick up a Land Rover he had bought so on the way back I couldn't resist a quick gander and see if anything had been coming out. There was only one angler on the lake that had blanked all weekend and said that nothing had been out since the 2 fish on opening weekend. As I was the 'newbie' on the lake I thought that they were just saying that to put me off.
Anyhow. After one crap weeks work where everything had gone wrong I loaded the car Thursday night ready for take off on Friday after work. Just before leaving I said to my uncle and my dad that with everything that had gone wrong this week "I have blanked before I've even gone!", joking and laughing I left for the mere. With the rain hammering down and hitting Newtown at 5 bang on I knew it would be a crap journey. As I crossed into the English countryside, the weather brightened up arrived at the lake around an hour and a bit later.
I had a quick walk around the lake to find no-one fishing. PERFECT!!! So I opted for a snaggy corner where I could fish with no-one to interfere with me if someone does come. I set up the bivvy and got the rods ready whilst waiting for the boats to finish. I got the throwing stick out and placed a few boilies around the margin further up the corner where I could get more leverage to get the fish out should I be lucky enough to hook one. Eventually the boat buggered off and I was able to place my rigs: 3 of which were along the margin at various distances around the corner and the 4th off an overhanging tree just in front of me. Within half an hour of the boats finishing perch began showing in front of me and around the snags to my right as they were taking the small fry and roach I think. When BADOSH! That aint no perch I said to myself! My heart was racing now knowing that fish were in the area but managed to keep myself awake up till midnight when I 'passed out'. I was woken by the morning sun at around 6 ish but was stilled knackered so turned over and went back to sleep for an hour.
About half seven I got up and sat on my chair admiring the surroundings when the rite hand rod bleeped 3 times. I could see the rod tip slightly twitching jus like a small tench was on so I struck. It wasn't any small tench I can assure you! The rod bent double and I couldn't believe it! I hung on for grim death as it made for the snags but managed to turn it last minute. Now slightly more under control I began to gain a bit on line and move it more out to open water. My heart was racing now and my legs were trembling knowing that it is gonna be an almost definitely 20+. And for me I don’t get many of them in a year. Now under the rod tips I caught my first glimpse of the beast. A confirmed 20+ common so I knew I had a pb common already. I reached for the net and once in the water the fish saw it and turned and bolted of for open water which was better than the margin snags to my left! After another 10minutes I slipped the net under the fish and shouted YES!!!!! COME ON!!!!!!! I had a quick look and it was 25+ I thought to myself. I sorted the mat and sling and then once I tried to lift the fish I knew I had underestimated it. As I lowered it into the mat and unravelled the mesh I began to think this is a P.B and my possibly first 30- and a true English one! And a common!!! I slipped it into the sling and then scales went sailing past 30 and settled on 32lb 14oz. I was bouncing now so I sacked up for a couple of minutes while I went to see if anyone had turned up who could do the pics for me. I couldn't spot anyone so made a few calls to people I knew as close by as possible but not one of the 3 or 4 people I rang were near! Gutted I went for a walk around the lake to make sure nobody was hiding. Lol. Low and behold a pike angler was set up in a hidden swim from where I was so he kindly came round to do the pics. After Taking it all in I lowered her into the water as she soaked me as she gracefully swam off back to the snags to sulk.

Absolutely buzzing I repositioned the rod read for action again! About midday the same rod bleeped a couple of times and again the tip bounced slightly. I bent into what was a seemingly unmoveable object- which it was. I had been 'dun' and the fish had dumped the rig in a tree before the alarm had registered the pick up. O well I wasn't upset at all knowing I had already bagged a fish I will not match for some time. That afternoon a couple locals had turned up and they had been telling the truth as the owner confirmed that it was the first fish out in over 2 weeks.
That evening I stayed awake until 2:30 waiting for a run as I had seen a couple of shows near the bait and one fish must have bin another 30+ common- it was huge! The following morning I was awoken by my delkim putting in a bit more of an effort to beep so I scuttled to the rod and was instantly flat-rodded. After that instant burst of energy it kited out into open water. Great I thought until it carried on and on and on when it suddenly dawned on me: the snags to my left! With no control over this monster I couldn't change his mind: he was going in them snags and that was it! I could still feel him slightly so one of the regulars held the rod whilst I took some serious action. Knowing it was 20ft + deep in the margins I got my mat- chub euro cradle and took of my trakkies and tested to see if it kept me afloat. Which it did! I don’t know how but it did as I aint the smallest at 6ft 2 and 14stone! So using my hands I paddled out to the first offending branch and the next and the next until the line went down to a tree! The fish had rapped the line twice around this 6inch dia branch and left the rig and lead lying on the top as to say “you aren’t getting me sunshine!". Absolutely gutted I retrieved the rig and returned to land stinking of lake. But at least I know that the fish wasn't tethered.

Still. It was still an amazing weekend and you can't win them all! But that’s what makes you go back. I will get him one day don't no when but I will.
Tight Lines
Rich

carfty carper no15

Onions well done that is a lovely fish

courtz

Cracking fish there mate and an equally great write up, well done fella and good luck with the lake

carpcruncher

1stly mate a very good write up mate.

2ndly and most importantly, what a cracker of a fish mate, that "BIG" dark common is the sort of thing that anglers dream of. well done onions, that is a very special fish.

Mac · Re: Broken that 30lb barrier!

Brilliant stuff mate........just brilliant

richchappy

so in reality, as your welsh its a forign fish, like us going to france haha

na mate only jokin,

a stunning fish, and a cracking way to break the barrier

carpmanjay

Well done mate, great read and you couldnt of asked for a better fish to do it with!!

you will always look back at that pic mate and even in 40 years time you will be able to recall all the details of your capture.

Ghost

Well done Onions

Stunning photos of a stunning mint fish.

Good write up mate, just don’t give Mac any ammo next time!

02jlloyd

nice one

cracker

Broken that 30lb barrier!

Re: Broken that 30lb barrier!