BACK SHE GOES! NOW IS MY IDEAL TIME FOR FISHING
...and a bait boat is the perfect way to exploit it
MORNING dew had barely dampened the grass before the sun’s strength sent it into retreat.
Against a china-blue sky, every tree seemed to be stretching out fresh green branches to absorb the life-giving rays.
The dawn chorus was joyous too, and I caught the mood of the birds as I crouched by the water’s edge in readiness to wet a line for big scaly mirror carp.
If I could pick only one time to fish it would be now, not just for what I might catch but in appreciation of nature bursting into bloom all around me – the scent of pollen, the call of a cuckoo and the magnificent sight of a leaping carp suspended momentarily in the air. No wonder I was smiling.
My E-S-P rod and reel were teamed with 18lb Syncro XT monofilament strong enough to pull a barge. The rig was simple, just how I like it, with a clear Safe Zone leader and a flat 4oz lead. Eight inches of 20lb brown Tungsten Loaded and a size 5 E-S-P Gripper made up the hooklength, with shrink tubing creating an acute line aligner and causing the hair to exit at the bend of the hook.
Such a bottom bait set-up, popularised by Terry Hearn, really does snag in the mouth of any carp foolish enough to suck it in. My three rods would be fishing Sticky Krill boilies in an identical manner, all positioned over a bed of free offerings after a short voyage by bait boat.
Now, I know this modern baiting aid will alienate some of you, but provided no fish are harmed and no rules are broken I have no problem with anything that might help me catch fish. Nor am I interested in how fellow anglers get their buzz – who am I to judge? Today I was happy with my tactics, and I was the only person I needed to please.
As I piloted the vessel out with the remote control to areas I felt likely to produce a bite I held the rod, helping to mend the line by keeping it straight. I would also be in control of the lead drop, feeling for its impact with the bottom exactly as I would do with a cast. If it didn’t feel right I would reel in and repeat the process until I was happy.
For the first part of the drop I held the rod over my shoulder and then moved it forward as the rig fell, making sure it went down with the free offerings and
“If I could pick only one time to fish it would be now”
was not pulled away. Extreme attention to detail, yes, but at times this can make a huge difference.
By the time I’d clipped my lucky yellow bobbins on to the three rods it had certainly taken more time and effort to position the rigs this way than cast them, but I didn’t mind this one bit. Right now I felt it was impossible to be fishing any better.
Content, I poured myself a coffee, watched the water and dreamt of the world below.
I was certain the carp would be on the hunt for food, grouped in shoals and pushing towards my bank with the now gentle breeze. As the bait leaked its attraction through the water column it took only half-an-hour to be detected, and I noticed a flat, oily spot form over the middle rod.
Eager mouths had dislodged the pellets and sucked most of them in. Next the boilies disappeared in the same way. Last on the list was my spiked bait – it was only a question of which carp would make the mistake. I had no say in this respect, but I was ready to react when the hook flipped round and snagged in the fish’s lip.
A mirror clad in huge scales shook its head before exiting the swim at speed, while I lifted the rod and slowly clamped down on the revolving spool until increased drag put a healthy bend in the carbon. A warm May day and a battle with a stunning carp – surely life couldn’t get any better?
Well, actually it could. Broad chestnut-coloured shoulders broke surface as I drew my prize towards the net. A stunning 31lb carp was my reward for paying attention to detail.