Monday, April 23, 2007
Baliff & Test Fish - LCL 22nd April 2007
Temp: 8- 22°C
Wind: SW (7 mph)
Relative Humidity (%): 33,
Pressure (mB): 1019, Falling,
Visibility: Very good
I awoke at 6.30am and was unable to return to sleep - So I thought -rather than wasting time in the Pit I could spend a few hours testing out my new Middy Hot Spot Margin Pole whilst baliffing at the same time.
All came from the previous Sunday Match (15th) and a Shopping trip to Big John's Friday (20th) as I needed to replace Kev Keeling's Colmic Hit n' Hold Pole as we were unable to obtain a replacement section (The one I trod on at Mill Barn- see previous post !), so made the decision to Buy Kev a new pole of his choice as a replacement.
We met at Big Johns - and already had made a mental choice of the Shimano Beast Master - but John would not have any in for at least another two weeks, so Kev looked at the Preston version and the Middy Hot Spot. He chose the Middy. Based on that I made the spot decision to have one myself if BJ would give me a deal - I did try BOGOF but you can imagine the response. But did offer a substantial discount. So purchase made and off we went - and the smile on Kev's face made me feel a lot better although a lot lighter in the wallet.
Having completed all my household chores the next day and in between watching the Footie on the box - I elasticised the top three match section with 8-10 elastic and a brief trip to BJ's to get the correct size bushing for the Bully Boy top two (the package came with this Take Apart 2 section and a Butt extension to take to 9.5 metres) - I loaded with 16-18 Colmic elastic.
I also came away with two Top kit protectors tubes which have the built in elastic protectors at the top of the tube (excellent idea). I also reloaded my Shimano 8010 Reels with Nash XT 18lb Line in preparation for my Trip to Lac Chateau Cavagnac, France in June.
Back to the session:
The lake looked a picture in the early morning sun a quick walk round revealed that the only activity was in the centre of the lake adjacent to the drain. A Mirror rolled. So as a testing pleasure session I thought I would fish from the road bank from Peg 9 into the light South Westerly breeze to maximise the difficulty. This gave me the capability to fish under the tress in Swim 9,8, & 7 - But only fish the former.
I set up a Ledger on the Alarm with a Frozen pineapple boilie & mixed boilie stringer and cast to the spot where the carp rolled earlier. I then preceded to set up the Middy Hot Spot and layout the infrastructure. I decided I would fish 'big' with the Bully Boy and a rig I made quite a while ago 4lb line straight through to a Size 16 Kasaman Animal Hook using Sweetcorn as the main bait - I was defrosting some maggot as I set up to use as loose feed.
I was just plumbing around when Kev Keeling arrived with Barley (His Barley coloured Labrador - hence her name) who was excited to see me as see always is. Kev offered and I gratefully accepted his help in setting up - in all aspects - shotting pattern / presentation of the rig, length of line to the connector for a given condition - placement of the infrastructure (Pole rollers etc that I have - not that I have all the right things - but slowly getting there) so that everything is to hand and the best methodology to use when shipping out striking, and playing the fish. I won't go through them all here so as not to publicise - but needless to say I fished for 5 hours landed every fish and did not feel any discomfort - I normally give up after an hour.
This I believe was for two main reasons - The Middy Hot Spot Pole is as light as my Badger Pole but is much better balanced and the tuition from Kev. I think we both agree I need a new seat box so that I can sit higher. My current box has round legs and light clamping bolts that will not support my near 20 Stone frame without sliding down again.
During the set up in which I also learned a new tip regarding the hooking of Sweetcorn on the 2nd put in demonstration form Kev the float pulled down and we (I mean we Kev hook _ I Played and landed) had a pristine 1lb 4oz Roach
(This is a new PB beating my previous best from peg 21 on 9th July last year).
A couple of put-in's later a nice Male Tench of around 1 1/2 lbs was netted. both of these fish looked out of place in my Big 50" carp Landing Net - so I set up my Middy Match landing net.
Kev stayed with me providing coaching for 1/2 hour Barley sat patiently all this time- but Kev was late for his 'shopping' expedition - Sorry Lisa my fault - not Kev's
I continued hitting and missing with my 'new' sideways strike action - definitely had fish in the swim with all the knocks dips on the float. The baiting approach was a steady trickle of 2-3 pieces of corn and a small handful of dead maggots every put in with micro pellet / 4mm pellet to attract the carp.
A couple nice 1/2lb Roach followed than went quiet - not indications - OK I'm ready for that big pull away - as I thought perhaps the Carp had moved in and bullied the Silvers out of it - But nothing. Then I was just lifting to reposition and the elastic pulled out as I - Applying side ways action I pulled the lump out and it went off to the centre of the lake and started to Pull. This prompted the need to add the rest of the Pole as the 18 elastic was extended some 10 feet out of the pole and a nice curve in the pole almost a through action to the but - Nice, This was big or so I thought - perhaps 15lb or even a twenty.
Once I had gained 'control' I moved the ledger set up out of harms way and continued to bait the swim. 10 minutes later I caught sight - No wonder it was pulling so hard it looks like it was hook in the Pelvic Fin. That would explain why I did not get a bite. However a few minutes later I was able to get to the net - I knew there was a reason for setting the big 50". Out on the unhooking mat she came - Looked in excellent condition - I am sure she has a name - I will call One Scale as she has One large scale on her right hand Side. She weighed in at 11lb 10ozs. Given the fact that the hook was in the left hand Pelvic Fin it would be equivalent to a high double.
Next Put in I had a another 'bite' - Definitely a carp (getting the feel of this set up now). But not as big as 'One Scale' but felt nice all the same. Once control achieved again no need for the extension - Top four only got the fish the surface - Don't believe it - This one is hooked in the Pelvic Fin also - but a small 'Black' Common. Landed in the Match Net unhooked and returned - circa 3lbs.
Now getting use to which bites to strike and ones not to - resulted in two Bream to 1 1/2Lb Two Rudd to 4oz a baby Perch then another tentative bite as sideways strike and a big pull away from a carp. This time I feel confident this is a proper catch - A good fight ensues but only need the four sections. This Mirror graced the net at 9lbs 6oz and had minor spawning marks - Applied a touch of ointment to it and she returned gracefully.
From that point on the Sun was getting hot and the bites had gone away - But that is normal here at just after noon - it is like somebody sounding the Lunch break siren - Just about the time to Pack up at which point I was Joined by my Wife (Ann) and our Jack Russell (Suzy) who much to my surprised sat with me attentively for the last 10 mins - Normally she would be off chasing the rabbits but I think Ann had exhausted on the walk up.
So what a lovely Morning - Lovely weather - great company and Tuition from Kev, 25lb+ mixed bag of fish and a sun burned left hand side of my face - Great !!
Biggest take out of the session is that I learned so much it short space of time and I now know I can fish long periods with a Pole and the Pole / tackle I now have I should be able to fish for all types during the coming months on the Commercials and land the majority no matter the size - It is that all important thing - Confidence !
Wind: SW (7 mph)
Relative Humidity (%): 33,
Pressure (mB): 1019, Falling,
Visibility: Very good
I awoke at 6.30am and was unable to return to sleep - So I thought -rather than wasting time in the Pit I could spend a few hours testing out my new Middy Hot Spot Margin Pole whilst baliffing at the same time.
All came from the previous Sunday Match (15th) and a Shopping trip to Big John's Friday (20th) as I needed to replace Kev Keeling's Colmic Hit n' Hold Pole as we were unable to obtain a replacement section (The one I trod on at Mill Barn- see previous post !), so made the decision to Buy Kev a new pole of his choice as a replacement.
We met at Big Johns - and already had made a mental choice of the Shimano Beast Master - but John would not have any in for at least another two weeks, so Kev looked at the Preston version and the Middy Hot Spot. He chose the Middy. Based on that I made the spot decision to have one myself if BJ would give me a deal - I did try BOGOF but you can imagine the response. But did offer a substantial discount. So purchase made and off we went - and the smile on Kev's face made me feel a lot better although a lot lighter in the wallet.
Having completed all my household chores the next day and in between watching the Footie on the box - I elasticised the top three match section with 8-10 elastic and a brief trip to BJ's to get the correct size bushing for the Bully Boy top two (the package came with this Take Apart 2 section and a Butt extension to take to 9.5 metres) - I loaded with 16-18 Colmic elastic.
I also came away with two Top kit protectors tubes which have the built in elastic protectors at the top of the tube (excellent idea). I also reloaded my Shimano 8010 Reels with Nash XT 18lb Line in preparation for my Trip to Lac Chateau Cavagnac, France in June.
Back to the session:
The lake looked a picture in the early morning sun a quick walk round revealed that the only activity was in the centre of the lake adjacent to the drain. A Mirror rolled. So as a testing pleasure session I thought I would fish from the road bank from Peg 9 into the light South Westerly breeze to maximise the difficulty. This gave me the capability to fish under the tress in Swim 9,8, & 7 - But only fish the former.
I set up a Ledger on the Alarm with a Frozen pineapple boilie & mixed boilie stringer and cast to the spot where the carp rolled earlier. I then preceded to set up the Middy Hot Spot and layout the infrastructure. I decided I would fish 'big' with the Bully Boy and a rig I made quite a while ago 4lb line straight through to a Size 16 Kasaman Animal Hook using Sweetcorn as the main bait - I was defrosting some maggot as I set up to use as loose feed.
I was just plumbing around when Kev Keeling arrived with Barley (His Barley coloured Labrador - hence her name) who was excited to see me as see always is. Kev offered and I gratefully accepted his help in setting up - in all aspects - shotting pattern / presentation of the rig, length of line to the connector for a given condition - placement of the infrastructure (Pole rollers etc that I have - not that I have all the right things - but slowly getting there) so that everything is to hand and the best methodology to use when shipping out striking, and playing the fish. I won't go through them all here so as not to publicise - but needless to say I fished for 5 hours landed every fish and did not feel any discomfort - I normally give up after an hour.
This I believe was for two main reasons - The Middy Hot Spot Pole is as light as my Badger Pole but is much better balanced and the tuition from Kev. I think we both agree I need a new seat box so that I can sit higher. My current box has round legs and light clamping bolts that will not support my near 20 Stone frame without sliding down again.
During the set up in which I also learned a new tip regarding the hooking of Sweetcorn on the 2nd put in demonstration form Kev the float pulled down and we (I mean we Kev hook _ I Played and landed) had a pristine 1lb 4oz Roach
(This is a new PB beating my previous best from peg 21 on 9th July last year).
A couple of put-in's later a nice Male Tench of around 1 1/2 lbs was netted. both of these fish looked out of place in my Big 50" carp Landing Net - so I set up my Middy Match landing net.
Kev stayed with me providing coaching for 1/2 hour Barley sat patiently all this time- but Kev was late for his 'shopping' expedition - Sorry Lisa my fault - not Kev's
I continued hitting and missing with my 'new' sideways strike action - definitely had fish in the swim with all the knocks dips on the float. The baiting approach was a steady trickle of 2-3 pieces of corn and a small handful of dead maggots every put in with micro pellet / 4mm pellet to attract the carp.
A couple nice 1/2lb Roach followed than went quiet - not indications - OK I'm ready for that big pull away - as I thought perhaps the Carp had moved in and bullied the Silvers out of it - But nothing. Then I was just lifting to reposition and the elastic pulled out as I - Applying side ways action I pulled the lump out and it went off to the centre of the lake and started to Pull. This prompted the need to add the rest of the Pole as the 18 elastic was extended some 10 feet out of the pole and a nice curve in the pole almost a through action to the but - Nice, This was big or so I thought - perhaps 15lb or even a twenty.
Once I had gained 'control' I moved the ledger set up out of harms way and continued to bait the swim. 10 minutes later I caught sight - No wonder it was pulling so hard it looks like it was hook in the Pelvic Fin. That would explain why I did not get a bite. However a few minutes later I was able to get to the net - I knew there was a reason for setting the big 50". Out on the unhooking mat she came - Looked in excellent condition - I am sure she has a name - I will call One Scale as she has One large scale on her right hand Side. She weighed in at 11lb 10ozs. Given the fact that the hook was in the left hand Pelvic Fin it would be equivalent to a high double.
Next Put in I had a another 'bite' - Definitely a carp (getting the feel of this set up now). But not as big as 'One Scale' but felt nice all the same. Once control achieved again no need for the extension - Top four only got the fish the surface - Don't believe it - This one is hooked in the Pelvic Fin also - but a small 'Black' Common. Landed in the Match Net unhooked and returned - circa 3lbs.
Now getting use to which bites to strike and ones not to - resulted in two Bream to 1 1/2Lb Two Rudd to 4oz a baby Perch then another tentative bite as sideways strike and a big pull away from a carp. This time I feel confident this is a proper catch - A good fight ensues but only need the four sections. This Mirror graced the net at 9lbs 6oz and had minor spawning marks - Applied a touch of ointment to it and she returned gracefully.
From that point on the Sun was getting hot and the bites had gone away - But that is normal here at just after noon - it is like somebody sounding the Lunch break siren - Just about the time to Pack up at which point I was Joined by my Wife (Ann) and our Jack Russell (Suzy) who much to my surprised sat with me attentively for the last 10 mins - Normally she would be off chasing the rabbits but I think Ann had exhausted on the walk up.
So what a lovely Morning - Lovely weather - great company and Tuition from Kev, 25lb+ mixed bag of fish and a sun burned left hand side of my face - Great !!
Biggest take out of the session is that I learned so much it short space of time and I now know I can fish long periods with a Pole and the Pole / tackle I now have I should be able to fish for all types during the coming months on the Commercials and land the majority no matter the size - It is that all important thing - Confidence !
Labels: Pleasure Fish
