I used Covert Mugga hooks and Sink Skin hook lengthsAs the weather finally started to warm up, I headed to my local lake called Lakeside for a quick twenty four hour session. I set up in a swim called ‘the beach’ and flicked one rod down the margins in front of some rushes. This is a good area and I had heard it had been producing a few bites recently. My second rod was cast towards a showing fish. I catapulted a pouch full of 15mm Cell over the top of each rod and sat back to wait.

Just as it was getting dark my margin rod roared off and it wasn’t long before I slipped the net under a nice common. It weighed 17lb 7oz and after taking a few pictures I slipped it back and quickly got the rod back out. During the night the rod cast towards the showing fish ripped off and after a good fight I netted a common weighing 16lb 3oz.
I landed this 16lb 3oz common during the night

Just as dawn began to break I had my third bite as my margin rod registered a steady take. After a great fight, the fish surfaced near the net and I instantly recognised it as one known as ‘bent tail’. On the scales it went 23lb 8oz and after a few shots I got her back.

My successful tactics included a Gardner Covert Lead Clip and Tail Rubber, one foot of Plummet leadcore, six inches of 15lb Sink Skin tied KD style to a size 8 Covert Mugga hook.
Bent Tail weighing 23lb 8oz