The Start

So here it is, my very first proper attempt at writing a carp angling blog. If you set your expectations very low I will try to reach them, or maybe even surpass them with a bit of luck.

My fishing is quite a mixed bag really, river fishing, busy day ticket waters such as Linear, or fishing a very difficult surrey syndicate chasing the few beautiful carp that reside there. I am a “limited time” angler with one over night session a week if I’m lucky, so everything has to be readied well in advance, rigs tied, bait sorted, van packed, wife bribed.

I am starting my Autumn campaign on the difficult Surrey water the second week in September where a very large old mirror lives and I am buzzing just thinking of the challenge that lies before me. I did have a little dabble back in June and was even lucky enough to bag one on my first night albeit one of the little uns at 18lb. Never  the less it was a start and gave me that little bit of confidence that my rig and bait were up to scratch, which I have always found to be a huge bonus when bites a few and far between.

Up until then I will be mostly playing on other lakes and I have been enjoying my time on the lake next door to the syndicate landing a few carp and catfish on short sessions, whether it has been on an overnighter or 3 hours surface fishing (Which is by far the best way to catch them in my opinion). It’s always nice to catch no matter what is on the end.

At the beginning of August I was one of the privileged few to attend the MNDA pro-am event at linear fisheries which is an awesome event that gives anglers of all capabilities a chance to mingle with the superstars of our sport for three days whilst raising some lovely cash for a very worthwhile charity.

I was pegged on Brasenose two which, for a variety of  reasons, is a water that I dislike with a passion. The fishing was hard going but we still managed to catch a few using solid bags over spod, including a rare B2 common carp just shy of 20lb that made my day (hence the insane grin). So if you get the chance, go and have a look at the “fish with the stars” Facebook page and get involved next year, I promise you won’t regret it.

So that’ll be it for now, I’m back out at the weekend having another go on “the lake next door” for an overnighter.  I will however have one eye looking over towards the syndicate in hope that one of its residents gives themselves away, you never know……..