After my last session I had planned a three night trip to Cottington Lakes in Kent, with my girlfriend Konge. After catching at Vinny during my last session, it seemed mad not to return, so I loaded my car with two bed chairs sleeping bags and my two man Armo.

I arrived early and after a couple of laps of the lake, I decided to go back in the Right Hand Point swim. I got all the gear set up and was just getting the rods clipped up to the same spot I had caught two fish from on my last session, when my girlfriend arrived. Before casting out, I popped round to the swim I had raked on my last session and climbed a nearby tree. It was lovely and clear and I made sure to spread some particle on it before returning to camp and getting the rods out.

I got the rods sorted with identical rigs that I had used last time, incorporating 15lb Disruption and a size 6 Covert Wide Gape Talon Tip. I opened a bottle of red wine, set up the BBQ, enjoyed some nice food and a couple of glasses of wine before heading off to sleep around 11pm. At 5am I had a take and after a good scrap, Konge slipped the net under it. I’m pretty sure it was the same common that had jumped out of my net during the last session, however this time I made sure it didn’t do it again.

I weighed the fish at 27lb 8oz and got some nice shots before carefully slipping it back. Later that day the temperatures soared, so I reeled in and we went to Tesco’s to stock up on supplies. When when we came back we had a quick walk round to have a look at the margin area I had baited the previous day. Careful positioned up the tree, I could spot three carp feeding on the spot. I quickly made my way back to base camp and grabbed a rod and some essentials. I managed to get the rig in quietly without spooking the fish, however I think the chance may have passed as I reeled in at 8pm bite less. I headed back to base camp and got the rods out for the night.

I woke at dawn to motionless indicators, so after having breakfast, we headed back round to the margin spot armed with a rod, net, food and some tea making kit. After climbing the tree, it was evident no carp were present, so it was was safe to get a rig on the spot. I swung out a PVA bag and after letting the line settle, I spread a pouchful of particle around the rig.

An hour went by and I started seeing my first sign of carp. I climbed the tree and spotted a good fish feeding over the rig. I quietly made my way down and seconds later the rod ripped off. I quickly grabbed the rod and after another good fight, my girlfriend netted it first time. I identified the fish as one known a Paw Print and it weighed a little over 34lb.

After slipping the fish back, I thought it might be worth doing a night in the swim. So after heading back to base camp, we packed all the kit down and moved round. Unfortunately the move didn’t pay off and awoke the next morning without a bleep. To be honest I didn’t mind too much, I was more than happy with what I had already caught. I packed away that day, a happy angler and headed off for home.