David and James Kirk are off to the British Carp Angling Championsip Qualifier at Kingsbury Swan Pool this weekend. They are representing themselves as well as Team Carp Catchers. I’m sure we all wish them the best of luck on what looks to be a tough venue. Good luck guys.
John
Carp Catchers Ltd
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An update now on the campaign to save Farlows Lake from being turned into a marina. I have been informed by the bailiffs that the marina proposals have been turned down by the council. Great news! However the owner is planning to resubmit the proposal, so we will have to keep an eye out for the future. Thank you to all those who emailed in support of the campaign.
Best Fishes,
John
Gary Westcott and myself fished in the British Carp Angling Championship qualifier at Farlows Lake recently. Unfortunately we didn’t qualify but we did score five points for the Carp Catchers Team. Gary and I had two carp for 45lb 2oz and also lost one. Garys fish came on his own Innovate Baits boilies, mine came on Mainline Baits Activ-8. We had a great weekend and really enjoyed the experience.
20lb 4oz
24lb 14oz
Best Fishes,
John
This is final reminder that last years rod licence has now expired, so if you haven’t already renewed yours now is the time to do it. Remember if you fish with more than two rods you will need two licences.
Best Fishes,
John
A reminder that your rod licence is due to expire on the 15th/16th March. As I have stressed before you can get a criminal record and a fine of up to £2000 if you are caught without a valid licence so it really isn’t worth the risk. A rod licence costs £27 for the year, if you fish with more than 2 rods you will need 2 rod licences. Licences are available from the Post Office, by phone from The Environment Agency on 08708 506 506 or online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish. Tight lines and happy fishing for the coming season.
John
A recent trip to one of my syndicates saw me bank another 30lb common known as the ‘Elusive Common’ at 33lb 2oz. The fish fell to a corkball pop up fished on a Chod Rig consisting of an ESP Stiff Rigger Hook, Gardner Tripwire and 9 ft of ESP Original Camo Leadcore.
The fish was backed up with a small stocky and a lovely dark 25lb mirror.
Tight Lines
Dave
Heres a nice common carp weighing in at 26lb 8oz. The fish fell to a snowman hookbait with a Solar Juicy Pineapple Fluoro pop-up topping the combination. I have had a lot of success this year using snowmans with bright fluoro pop-ups. The rig was my usual Blowback Rig consisting of Atomic Jel-E-Wyre hooklink material and a Korda Wide Gape Hook in conjunction with a 3oz pear lead, ESP Bulk Spool Leadcore in Original Camo and an Armaled Lead Clip.
Tight Lines
Dave
To follow on from the recent blogs on prebaiting here are a few pictures to prove that prebaiting brings rewards. These fish were all caught from the same area of the lake after a long period of continuous prebaiting during late winter early spring.
Its really is worth putting in that extra effort.
Tight Lines
Dave
This is a quick reminder to the river anglers and people who fish lakes which observe the old close season. Please make sure that you get yourselves a rod licence before the 16th June opening. Remember that if you intend to fish with more than two rods you need two licences. Rod licences can be purchased at the Post Office, Online or over the phone from the Environment Agency.
Best Fishes,
John
Choosing areas on your lake to pre-bait can be the key to success. You need to do your homework on the lake to determine the best areas to target. I would suggest you pick a couple of areas to keep introducing bait to avoid disappointment should you turn up for a session and find someone in one of your baited swims. Just because you have baited a swim it unfortunately doesn’t mean other anglers won’t fish there.
I would pick two swims in completely different areas of the lake so that you have the choice of which to fish. This means that if the weather conditions should favour one area you can head for that area. I would personally pick one area on the end of what would be a south westerly wind and another in an area where you know the fish visit frequently. Once you have chosen your areas its time to decide on the spots/features you wish to fish. Its best to do a bit of marker work in the swims you’re baiting and find any likely holding areas and/or patrol routes. You could be looking for a needle in a haystack, but remember if your going to be spending money on travelling to bait up its worth putting 100% effort in. When looking for spots you could be looking for subtle differences in depth, smooth areas of “clean” silt where the carp have been feeding, bloodworm beds or areas which are not so choked with weed. It really all depends on your water.
If you are able to observe the fish then watch them closely and figure out what sort of areas they are feeding in and on what sort of lakebed. If you can’t observe the fish then I would suggest you look at past captures if any, or speak to other anglers and see if they are willing to tell you what sort of areas and lake bed they have caught from. Obviously don’t go jumping straight into these areas as they could well be popular swims which you should try to avoid, as other anglers will be benefiting from your bait and hard work. Once you have built up a bigger picture its time to find the spots you wish to bait. Margins are always a good bet too and very often neglected by other anglers.
Make sure once you have found your spots that you have marked them on your lines or paced them out and you have picked far bank markers to aim for. It can sometimes be easier to note these things in some sort of a fishing diary, which you can used to build up a better knowledge of the lake. Here is a blog which may help you when it comes to this stage. Another Carp Catchers Blog which may help is New Season Baiting Campaign .
Tight Lines
Dave