Right! Well, it's been quite some time since I last gave you a proper fishing tale so I thought I'd feed your hunger.
Well not quite because I blanked! It happens to everyone, call it an excuse but to be honest, it was my first time on this new water and I was told not to expect much. This was due to the extremely low stock of carp and the ridiculous heat that was so sudden for that time of the year. Anyway, I usually wouldn't want to tell you of my failures but this was a special kind of blank - if there is such a thing!
To make matters worse, I didn't take any photos, but of what other than fish?
To be honest, It was fun learning about new water craft and how to fish for possible 30's!
I was a guest for a friend's club water, he had caught three 20's from that lake, so it was easy to take his advice on how to approach this tricky lake. Although he only caught a bream that day we both learnt from our mistakes. At least we came away knowing what had possibly gone wrong. Being the a keen angler, this was inspirational to visit a lake, going in blind I may say, and still having a good time and learning much, even though no one on the whole lake caught a carp that day!
But rather than tell you it was fun and enjoyable, I'd rather sneak in a little tip - or two - on how to approach new lakes. For obvious reasons, you're not going to believe me on any help I'll give you if I haven't even caught on this new lake of mine! So, with the help of a member of Sussex Carp and Coarse - Edwin, in fact - We would like to teach you on how to target a new lake, and catch!
Our first tip for you is, if the lake is big enough and you're staying there long enough, to bring a marker set-up. By this we mean a marker fishing kit, and a good enough spare rod and reel. The whole reason of bringing a marker is to find any contours or underwater features that you would want to find or avoid. There is no other practical and easy way of finding the right spot.
If you don't know what a marker set-up is, just click on my 'Links' tab and www.Korda.co.uk will show you everything you need to know.
Now, the second tip is invaluable. Take a look around the lake and search for ANY fish signs. Fish will often give their location away by; Fizzing - although this could be any fish doing it! Just rolling on the surface - You really have to keep your eyes out for this because they're quite subtle. And finally, Jumping out of the water - Carp often do this in the colder months to rid themselves of leaches from where they have been lying on the bottom.
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| This little scrapper jumped clean out of the water before I cast to him. |
I have lost count on how may carp I have caught from casting to showing fish.
Both these tips WILL catch you extra fish and hopefully save you a blank! 