Sunday Sessions, agony and ecstasy!

I roll into the car park on a Sunday afternoon hoping that the weekend crew had long gone, I go past the last set of trees that shield the car park from the prying eye and there’s two cars left, not a problem I’m thinking plenty of space for me. ‘Alright lads much been out’ standard first question from myself. The response however was painful! ‘Not really… oh but Big Red’s been out this morning’ if you read my last blog you will know she’s my target fish and it’s the first time she’s been out for a year, so that’s twice now in 12 months which is bordering on prolific! And my guess is we won’t see her for a long time soon!

Licking my wounds I barrow the gear round to the far end of the lake where I know the fish can hold up and spread a few of the CR1 on to a gravel patch at 85 yards prior to unpacking the gear. Again on this lake its standard bag rigs on all three rods, and against a tricky cross wind two go out onto the ‘spot’ and the third is the banker rod against the Pads. With the gear all finally set I sit back and reflect on a missed opportunity as the coals on the BBQ begin to heat up.

I’m expecting the short rod to go at any minute as the pad line can be very productive as they do hold up in there in their masses, although it tends to be more of the young stockie fish rather than the originals that interest me.

I’m now getting big liners and beeps off the pads and true to form off goes the right hand rod, and que my first bream!! This was a theme for nearly two hours with me “bagging up” match style! At around 18.00pm I decide to move off the pad line as enough is enough with the bream, I’m still confident of something off the little gravel bar though as it’s always done me well in the past.

As the light begins to fade I lay back on the bed, it’s an early start for work in the morning so sleep is on my mind. Right then a lump comes clean out over the spot and after knocking the simmering coals over I’m sitting by the rods wondering if I’m in luck or if I’m going to set fire to all my gear! 30 minutes pass and then off goes the middle rod, I lift into the fish and instantly I feel a slow plod which is telling me it’s a better fish. Then as quick as it came off it went, hook pull, more bad luck! A fresh bag is tied and around 30 more baits are sticked out onto the spot and with two runs off the spot being as likely as joining the Moonies I’m off to sleep sulking, and questioning every item of your tackle down to your kettle as you do!

I’m woken then at 02.35am to a single bleep followed by another and a slight tightening of the line, I’m taking this! And again I lift in to what feels a better fish. It’s a 15 minute struggle where both parties think there winning but finally the net goes under a solid lump, I leave it in the net as I get myself set without really checking what my prize is. All set I lift her out and recognise her straight away, The Banana Fish (zoom in on her flank) another member of my A Team! I’m thinking its funny how a session can turn around so quickly. The scales go to 30.12lb on this stunning lump, arguably the most sought after fish in the lake and I’m taking photos of another fish that we only get to see once or twice a year.

The banana

I’m just waiting for my Moonies membership card to arrive in the post! Tight lines.