Hurry Up Spring

For several weeks I have had a yearning to go Carp fishing. Not the three rods and buzzers type of Carp fishing but surface fishing, floater baits, the only style that interests me when it comes to angling for Britain's most popular fish. It all stems from the purchase of some new rig bits that I found on the tinterweb. 

The only problem is that Spring has just not materialised yet. Cold overnight temperatures and chilly Northerly breezes have scuppered any chance of seeing Carp in the surface layers.

Trouble was I still had an itch that needed to be scratched so with a couple of hours to spare I headed down to my favourite local pond to try an satisfy my craving. 

The conditions were poor: overcast, chilly and breezy. I chose the most sheltered part of the lake, feeding plenty of freebies but for over an hour I only saw two fish and they showed no interest in the bait. One was a stunning big Ghostie that I will hopefully see again, preferably in my net!

The lack of action forced a move and I got all the way round to the other end of the lake before seeing any fish, a pair of commons frolicking in the margin. 

I took cover behind bankside vegetation and cast in their vicinity. Within seconds a fish swirled at the bait and then tried again, this time engulfing the bait. My strike met solid resistance and a good battle ensued. A battle I soon won. A strikingly coloured Mirror that had sadly lost a large chunk of its tail. 

My scales were way round at the other side of the water so I guessed the weight at about 12lb and quickly got her back in the water. That was the end of the action but considering the cold I was pleased to get a result. Roll on the better weather.

Strange Habits these Perch

The lighter evenings have opened up a few more opportunities for me to get bankside so late afternoon I set myself up in a very familiar Perch swim. About thirteen months ago I landed a pb Perch from this very swim and I hoped to better that in what is probably the last opportunity for a big Perch before they begin their annual mating rituals.

Martin joined me after work and set up on the side bank. As usual prawn hook baits were deployed and whilst they are excellent for big Perch there is a whole host of other species that find them extremely palatable. Carp, Bream and even a tiny Tench fell for them throughout the day but thankfully a few of the target species also picked them up. Sadly no monsters but the biggest was a respectable 2lb 1oz specimen that shone in the golden light. The mini Perch campaign has been disappointing with plenty of twos landed but no threes or the target fours.

We fished on into dusk but the strange thing about this venue is the Perch seem to feed better in the afternoon and switch off in the evening when you expect the best of the action. Strange but true.

A pb-I Think

Another afternoon spent chasing big Perch in a particularly pretty commercial fishery. 

Martin was already ensconced in a fishy looking corner and was catching regularly. Sadly not the target species. It didn't take long for fish to find my prawn hookbaits also and between us we landed a procession of Carp and F1s..........

and Chub to 1lb 12oz.

A few bonus points towards the bloggers challenge but that didn't make them any less a nuisance. I'm not sure I have ever caught stillwater Chub before so maybe I caught a pb (of a fashion) but not one I'm going to shout about. I really dislike Chub and especially Barbel being stocked into commercials, it does not sit right with me. They are river fish and should remain that way.

We fished long and hard but the Perch just did not want to play or weren't allowed to by the other fish. A hazard of fishing over-stocked match puddles! Fun though!