Since targeting big fish became a large part of my life in the early 1980s, I have been on one long journey and have been fortunate to have landed plenty of personal bests and each one has been special.
Along with many other anglers I always look forward to the summer months, especially the traditional start of season, and when 16th June arrives rudd are normally uppermost in my thoughts. In the south of England the large gravel and sand pits produce some of the finest specimen rudd fishing the country has to offer...
Crucians have traditionally been known as a tentative feeder, and sensitive float fishing tactics at dawn and dusk have been the accepted textbook way to target this species. I think that it would be fair to say that as specimen fishing has moved forward a little since then and tackle, techniques and rigs have become more refined.
I had landed ten of the fourteen caught between us, with Adrian catching the largest at 7lb 9oz. Only one other tench was caught between about 20 other anglers on the lake. It wasn’t a bad way to kick off a fishing diary that I keep to this day!
It was really difficult to establish any portfolio of exactly what carp were present. The biggest known mirror in the lake was named ‘Megan’ apparently. I was told that one spun the scales to just over 30lb.
Spring is the time of the year I, like most carp anglers, look forward to the most. Not only are the longer days and lighter evenings so much more pleasant than the long winter ones, but also the rewards are there be had and when the fish are often at their easiest to catch.
Pressured carp can be very adept at ejecting rigs and swapping over to a stiff boom has made the difference when fish have been getting away with it. I’m sure the rigid boom makes for the most effective and difficult to deal with...
During the last 7-8 seasons I’ve fell in love with a brilliant method, trotting for chub. Each winter my dad and I head down to the banks of the Dorset stour in search of its specimen chub. This river is by far my favourite for the species and I really couldn’t think of a better place to target a huge chub.
I embarked on a campaign for the biggest carp in my locality – a very big carp indeed. Some had caught it quickly, however, I knew one or two extremely tidy anglers that had been fishing for this beast for several years...
I first came across ‘The Local Lin’ when Sticky Baits posted a picture of it on their social media and I remember thinking, what a carp it was! A unique fish, jet black with a tiny mouth and a very small tail and I knew it had gone over the 40lb mark!
During my 25 years fishing for carp I have had the privilege of fishing waters such as Yateley, Horton, Kingsmead; and I am currently on the Road Lake on the legendary Longfield complex of lakes in pursuit of a couple of special fish to add to my portfolio (as well as a very [...]
I caught my first ever fish at age 4 with my dad. It was a small Gudgeon that I caught using a small whip with maggots. I took the Gudgeon home in a 2 pint bait box and named him Kevin. I kept him in my fish tank for a few days [...]
I was really impressed with the Noir, it was a lovely black colour and had a fluorocarbon weave in it which meant it sank superbly, but with zero stretch I knew it would help me ensure I was fishing spots with maximum accuracy, as well as a feel beyond what you can achieve with any mono.
Generally, in winters gone by I’ve either continued on my chosen venue for my target or started a new winter campaign elsewhere. With travel restricted, I was limited in my options, and the routine post-Christmas socials were postponed.
I couldn’t have chosen a more perfect week and I ended up having 9 fish that week with 5 of them being over 35lb, topped off with one of the most wanted fish on the complex known as The Upfront Common.
To be successful when fishing in the middle of winter it is essential to keep a close eye on the weather and make your plans accordingly. Dai Gribble gives us 10 top tips for catching on waters during the colder months, either on rivers or on stillwaters.
In common with my warm weather fishing I usually take a fairly freestyle approach to finding fish during the cold months. The main reason is that, if there’s one thing I’ve concluded, they are where they are and I’ve found it vital to keep an open mind with regard to the carps’ whereabouts and feeding areas.
After participating in the annual Gardner Tackle social in Autumn 2020 at Burghfield Blue Pool, I really liked what this quirky pool had to offer. An intimate 4 acre lake tucked in amongst some of the best carp lakes the Thames Valley has to offer.
Je m’appelle Cyril Plessis, j’ai 28 ans et je suis professeur en gestion et protection de la nature. Je pêche la carpe depuis presque 15 ans. Ma première carpe fut un véritable électrochoc étant donné qu’elle n’était pas prévue. Aujourd’hui chaque poisson me procure toujours cette même sensation. La pêche de la [...]
Location of carp in the colder months can be hard… There are multiple factors that put the odds into your favour and against your favour. Size of lake, stock, depth, climate, angling pressure, bait restrictions, club or syndicate rules and everyone’s love or hate “time”.
