Gardner Tackle’s articles. Written by our team of highly experienced carp and specialist anglers.
I had to work so hard to try and keep up with the young’uns (who never seem to even miss a fish fart) that by the time I had clocked the carp’s whereabouts, and went to move on the fish, the younger, keener and super talented nippers would already have had one of them in the net.
It’s impossible to try and encapsulate in words, just what a special time I enjoyed during my three years, on what I truly believe will one day, rightfully be considered one of the greatest UK history carp waters ever. Since moving onto pastures new from 1st June 2019, it’s been like going through an ugly and bitter separation from a loved one...
I didn’t have to wait much time at all before the first rod was away, and after a strange start to the fight it was soon apparent it was another good one. I soon had a nice common in the net, 30lb 12oz, that will do! Starting the year where I left off last year.
Much to our amazement it was 39lb 14oz! Wow, an early Christmas present. My friend did me some great shots and we returned the fish. I sat drinking a tea thinking “this is awesome”. The only issue was once I had written about this epic adventure it was going to be even more like Piccadilly Circus. The rest of the night past with zero action, but I did not care, a December 39lb’er, and a new lake record…
I stood poised over the rod then as the line pulled out of the clip, I lifted the rod to find myself into another carp, but this one felt a bit bigger. It was slower, more plodding, and stripping line as it went on a solid run. As I looked around for the net, I realized my dilemma. I had the handle at my feet, but the mesh was by the mat...
Early in the afternoon Dave repeated a demonstration of his tactical supremacy and landed one of the longest commons I have ever seen, weighing in at over 50lb! Luckily, I got in on the action with a 48lb mirror before the end of play! The following day we managed another 3 bites before the weather took a turn for the worse and the fishing slowed.
I could see small clear gravel patches very close to the snag tree, a matter of feet from the bank. In no time the excitement was back, not only was I fishing, I was also on the fish!
2019 has been a year of two very different halves. The first half saw the inevitable running down of the final 6 months of a wonderful three years angling on the awesome Wellington Country Park (aka Welly). I have written a comprehensive account of my time on this special venue that will be published in the New Year...
The following weekend I turned up on the Friday after work and saw a carp show on the plateau around 80 yards out, in front of a swim known as The Wind Tunnel...
It was early February, and as the days were starting to draw out that little bit longer, there were the first very subtle signs that spring was just around the corner and everything was starting to come to life once more; and I found myself once again hatching plans for a full on no [...]
I stood there for several minutes in utter awe of this true giant. I called my friend to come and help me get her out of the water do some pics. We got her up on the scales and they read a massive 54lb 10oz. I was truly blown way and I had landed two PB’s that day!
I fished for three nights and over the course of the weekend I landed two 20lb mirrors to 27lb 10oz. I was due back down the following down the following Thursday for another 3 nights and that trip I had 4 bites losing one and landing, a 24lb 14oz mirror, a 41lb 14oz mirror (a repeat from June) and a 13lb 8oz stockie.
It’s no coincidence that many great anglers have surrounded themselves and learnt from other successful, educated anglers, so this is exactly what I did. It’s been a long learning curve that’s forever evolving, but during this period I’ve gained so much knowledge and memories...
After being a carp angler for 35 years I've a fair few years of winter carping under my belt and I choose my winter waters carefully. Gone are the days of me sitting on a low stocked, deep weedy waters that's for sure. I prefer to fish weed free waters with a decent head of carp to go at and preferably a fair few big'uns amongst them.
I’ve managed over 70 fish so far this year, which has made for another great years angling. The quest for the Coconut Common will continue in the spring. Many thanks to Gardner tackle, Lewis Read, and Alan ‘Norma’ Stagg, for their ongoing support and hard work; it never goes unnoticed by me and I’m always humbled to be part of such a great firm...
Finding good spots is definitely key. Whether you take a night off from fishing or if you can spare a couple of hours in the week after work, this extra effort can really pay off. I often spend hours on end in swims leading around for those all-important small hard spots, that fish visit on a regular basis...
After three harsh frosts and sightings dwindling to a minimum, I’d decided that my autumn campaign in search of the Coconut Common had come to an end. Having fished the lake before with no cold-water bite, I felt like my chances were realistically slim to none...
My plan worked and I had another very good fish in the net. I took some shots, did a bit more filming, got him back in the water and then let him go. Once more I was feeling great with an amazing experience with a very old friend. Man, I love carp fishing all on my own. These are memories that will last a life-time.
The carp we all fish for are often under constant pressure so I personally choose to take every possible opportunity to disguise my trap, all the way from the rod tip to the hook bait. However, to what level I go is also dependent on several key factors that change from swim to swim.
By the age of 5, I was bugging my dad every weekend to go fishing. Rain or shine, snow or hail, it didn’t matter to me I just wanted to be outside next to the water. I still remember what he used to say to me “when you can swim, then I’ll take you” so I learnt to swim pretty sharpish...
