I’ve been lucky enough to bag two cracking thirties during my last few trips to Hardwick Lake at the Linear Fisheries complex, with the recent run of success I just hoped it would continue. I planned another trip and headed off straight from work, which was excellent as it left me enough time to have a good look around. After some time it was clear the fish were holding down at the bottom of Smiths Pool. With a thunderstorm approaching in the distance I was quick to set-up! With the rods in position I was confident of a bite or two. I started with small baiting tactics, with fish out in front of me I didn’t want to risk spooking any. I fired out out two pva bags filled with Little Gemz mixed with a few Halibut 3mm’s and Hi Betaines and Hinders new Supreme Stick Mix (coming out soon).

On my third rod I went with a slightly different approach fishing a stiff rig with Mainline Milky Pop-up and a few Cell boilies over the top. All rigs were armed with my favourite hook pattern the Covert Mugga from Gardner Tackle, I really couldn’t rate this hook highly enough, it’s best pattern I’ve used.

Gardner Tackle, I really couldn’t rate this hook highly enough, it’s best pattern I’ve used.” alt=”All rigs were armed with my favourite hook pattern the Covert Mugga from Gardner Tackle, I really couldn't rate this hook highly enough, it’s best pattern I've used.” width=”776″ height=”582″ class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-11572″ />

First night there was little action to report but a quick move and a stalking approach saw me bag a few within five minutes of casting out. Only a mid-double but well worth the effort, once again proving location is key. With little action through the day I continued my way around Hardwick and once again I manage to find some more feeding fish. Using the same approach taking just two rods and the essentials, I positioned two PVA bags nearby and within 20 minutes I managed two takes within 30 seconds apart, landing a lovely 26lb mirror and a smaller fish weighing 16lb. What a result!

The fish moved after my short flurry of action and I had to move swims again to keep on them. Once I had managed to locate them again the night was drawing in and I was happy to stay put. I managed to bag one during the night but it all went off early morning with me bagging several fish.

I ended the session with 12 carp all falling to my PVA bag setup with the exception of one carp that came to a zig, I can’t wait to get back down to Hardwick.
I positioned two PVA bags nearby and within 20 minutes I managed two takes within 30 seconds apart, landing a lovely 26lb mirror and a smaller fish weighing 16lb.