yonny

Yeah that's a bit cheeky that!

No mate. No boats. No baiting poles. No braid. Very traditional rules tbf which i love. It adds to the challenge.

It's completely temperature dependant. I'd be amazed if the carp were spawning as they need at least 17C water temps. Even my pond is only ~12.5C at this point. They could mean a different species perhaps?

OK so earlier this year I decided to drop my ticket on my syndicate lake in the Fens. I've enjoyed it there and done ok, but it really doesn't suit the handful of overnighters per year that I normally get to fish, and it works out too expensive when I simply don't get the time to be there. I decided to sign off with a few nights to bag one of the special ones. When I say special, I mean it.... a handful of old big mirrors with scattered scales and little melted heart shaped tails, and a couple of bigger commons. They share this little pit with a mixed bag of carp that have been stocked since the turn of the century. Even the stockies, as can be seen in my previous post, are a bit special with plenty of lookers to go for. The trip started as well as it possibly could, but we'll come to that later. For now, the next fish I want to show you lot is one of the bigger stockies, certainly destined to become one of the A-Team at some point. This fella came at first light after my 2nd night off a little spot that's only fishable at this time of year.... by June it'll be covered in weed. I discovered this spot a couple of years ago and it's done me a fish for the last 2 years. Obviously, I needed a rod on it. Nothing special required here, a short cast with a nice smelly pop up on a hinge. Job done. I actually caught this one last year so it's a repeat but I'm not complaining. It was 2lb up in weight so doing well. If it carries on like that it'll be a real biggun in a few years.

How bizarre.... no sooner had I posted those kippers above, when I see Korda put up some shots on FB. There are two swims in these shots - one is the swim I caught these fish from, the other is the one next door! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cnf8bRY43/

I have a few to upload but file size will be a problem so may have to do it over a couple days. Lets start with the smaller ones.

It's their own patented shrimp flavour. Stinks doesn't it 🤣

Frozen is better but the shelfies are decent. A little firmer so brilliant for sticking at very long range. At normal range I'd go frozen every time.

Good luck mate. I'm setting the alarm for 4am so I'll be sneaking round the pond fist thing tomoz!

I was out having a vape last night and noticed it was v clear skies.... I expected a frosty car this morning and I got one. It'll be cold tonight too but tomorrow night is...... wait for it....... 11 degrees! Feeding time.

Looking at the forecast we'll be seeing 15C+ starting tomorrow for the foreseeable. Hovering around 17/18 for the coming weeks. IT'S HERE LADS! In a strange twist of fate, it's fallen perfectly for me. I have a few days planned this week. Fingers crossed I can get on them. Good luck for the season guys.

Checked it mate... and Alibaba. Best I could find was on Alibaba but it was slightly too small, MOQ of 2, and extortionate shipping. The problem is I need an absolutely massive one so shipping from China doesn't save owt. Literally 🤣

Just to add..... if you guys think carp tax is bad you should check out koi tax. I've just ordered a koi measuring bowl (literally a blue plastic tub) for 147 quid. It's the cheapest one I could find. Average price is more like 300 with the most expensive one being 550 quid because it's Japanese. Couldn't make it up. It's a plastic box😅.

Well the koi are absolutely loving the elevated temps this past few days. Scoffing their heads off. The covers and parasol are doing a good job of prohibiting a sudden increase in water temps so it's warming up slowly which does the fish a favour. As a result the water has remained very clear with temps currently around ~11.5 C. Feeding has increased gradually over the last month or two which has given the bio filter the chance to get going properly. A few more degrees and it's time to start piling the grub in for growing season. It's been awesome feeding them this past few days. I could sit there all day watching them I swear it. The covers will be coming off in the next week or so as most of the blossom has now fallen from the trees. Shouldn't be long before I can get some good shots of the fish to whack on here.

HOOK..... LINE...... AND SINKER. Fair play 🤣