hey All
so, finally the gaffer, Jay Edwards, at IncQbait managed some time out of his busy bait making schedule and got on the bank this Sunday gone, for a short session down at his favorite fishery. He has only managed five trips this year with two blanks and two hook pulls, which, in his own words "2019 has been a total disaster on the bank for me", but that said, the weekend of winter arrived with a heavy storm on Saturday which passed over night only to be greeted with below zero temperatures on a bright, misty Sunday morning.
Jay says, 'Because the fish were not to be seen anywhere, I set up on the far side of the lake away from the other anglers to less pressured areas and waited, fishing singles only to see if there were any 'chancers' swimming by. There were none visible at this early hour. Pulling the rods in I waited and decided to try and create a feeding situation. I set up some PVA mesh with our crushed Kryllworm inside, and used german rigs on size 8 hooks with our 12mm V-Crab pop ups, favoured by our very own Josh Mayes. While I set up there were signs in the bay to my right at about 8 rod lengths and I saw two appear at the margins on the island a further 5 rod lengths out, so I knew they were my go to spots'
'I cast out and waited. At around 11 am the left rod lit up and went, as I got to it, the fish dropped it and all went silent. I waited over the rod in case the fish had stopped, stunned. Nothing. So to further induce a take i put out a two further catapaults over each spot of 12mm Kryworm and waited. The fish were still showing. They kept showing until the clouds rolled over and and it fell silent. But it was the calm before the storm so to speak. I knew something was going to go ( you know when you know). At 2.05pm on the dot the right hand rod in the bay tore off!, I was up like a shot. The fish felt good, but lazy, like a sack of old spuds. 15ft from the net, I saw the tail, a beautiful golden color, then it flanked ever so slightly, it was a mirror. I was so excited. The landing net wouldn't unfurl in the water so I was a little nervy too, as I didnt want to lose the fish, but I held my own and the fish went over the net safely, no worries! It was then that it started to scrap though. So I let it wear itself down, before lifting her from the water, into the cradle. Once, the line and hook were safely out of harms way, it was into the sling for that crucial moment that all us anglers want to know ( you know you do) The scales whipped to 25.5lb. A stunning mirror, almost a leather but for the small scales toward the tail and along the dorsal. It was a good way to end a very bad year on the bank, but good enough to see it all forgotten in that instant. The team were glad I was able to produce the goods, and I appreciate their support, and all of their efforts this year, as they have all caught numerous fish...all different, all great."
"The hours spent rolling baits for them to test has certainly been worth it, to see the fruits of all our labours. Now it was my turn to book end it with this pristine buttery colored mirror."
A NOTABLE TIP: As I write and edit this post, the cold weather has rolled in. Its now the 9th November. The past two days has seen the arrival of a cold snap. This means for at least a week the carp will be in a state of shock until they get used to the 'drop', so if you are on the bank, don't expect too much, try, but don't get disheartened if you blank. This period will pass imminently, and then it should be business as normal for the start of the winter. You should then be able to induce a bite or two. Fingers crossed for you all
tight lines to all and stay warm
'H'
enjoy the pic - our Gaffer
so, finally the gaffer, Jay Edwards, at IncQbait managed some time out of his busy bait making schedule and got on the bank this Sunday gone, for a short session down at his favorite fishery. He has only managed five trips this year with two blanks and two hook pulls, which, in his own words "2019 has been a total disaster on the bank for me", but that said, the weekend of winter arrived with a heavy storm on Saturday which passed over night only to be greeted with below zero temperatures on a bright, misty Sunday morning.
'I cast out and waited. At around 11 am the left rod lit up and went, as I got to it, the fish dropped it and all went silent. I waited over the rod in case the fish had stopped, stunned. Nothing. So to further induce a take i put out a two further catapaults over each spot of 12mm Kryworm and waited. The fish were still showing. They kept showing until the clouds rolled over and and it fell silent. But it was the calm before the storm so to speak. I knew something was going to go ( you know when you know). At 2.05pm on the dot the right hand rod in the bay tore off!, I was up like a shot. The fish felt good, but lazy, like a sack of old spuds. 15ft from the net, I saw the tail, a beautiful golden color, then it flanked ever so slightly, it was a mirror. I was so excited. The landing net wouldn't unfurl in the water so I was a little nervy too, as I didnt want to lose the fish, but I held my own and the fish went over the net safely, no worries! It was then that it started to scrap though. So I let it wear itself down, before lifting her from the water, into the cradle. Once, the line and hook were safely out of harms way, it was into the sling for that crucial moment that all us anglers want to know ( you know you do) The scales whipped to 25.5lb. A stunning mirror, almost a leather but for the small scales toward the tail and along the dorsal. It was a good way to end a very bad year on the bank, but good enough to see it all forgotten in that instant. The team were glad I was able to produce the goods, and I appreciate their support, and all of their efforts this year, as they have all caught numerous fish...all different, all great."
"The hours spent rolling baits for them to test has certainly been worth it, to see the fruits of all our labours. Now it was my turn to book end it with this pristine buttery colored mirror."
A NOTABLE TIP: As I write and edit this post, the cold weather has rolled in. Its now the 9th November. The past two days has seen the arrival of a cold snap. This means for at least a week the carp will be in a state of shock until they get used to the 'drop', so if you are on the bank, don't expect too much, try, but don't get disheartened if you blank. This period will pass imminently, and then it should be business as normal for the start of the winter. You should then be able to induce a bite or two. Fingers crossed for you all
tight lines to all and stay warm
'H'
enjoy the pic - our Gaffer
