| A brand new start |
The months before
Last year when I applied as flied tester, I had good hopes for the last few months of 2008. But everything fell in the water when a medical reason grounded me for a few months. After some weeks I realised that I needed to set my hopes on the springtime 2009. It took me a couple of days to work out how I could prepare my set up and strategies for 2009
In the mean time (December 2008) the weeks past by in agony, not fishing was the worst thing that could happen to me. This gave me the opportunity to think over my strategy together with my dad (my fishing counterpart). We both decided to use a hit an run tactic with a long pre baiting period. The long time would give us an advantage, so the carp could accept the bait as a good and safe food source.
I was not able to pre bait the swims myself. So I needed to send my dad out to do the work for me. The last week of December was the official start of the new season. The first BBQ sardine & oyster baits went in to the lake. Because of the hit and run tactic we decided to spread the baits all over the water in small amounts. We could keep this up for only 2 weeks as the hard winter of this year had other plans. The lake froze over and the baiting campaign grinded to a halt. It took 1.5 months before the lake was ice free. Now February, we finally could restart with pre baiting. By this time I was healed enough to do it myself. Every 2 days I went to the lake carrying 1/2lbs of baits to spread thinly out over the lake. I decided to wait until March to start fishing, it would give the carp enough time to recognise the BBQ sardine & oyster boilies. |
The call of the water
The second week of March, D-day coming closer, after a few days of thinking I made the decision, it was time. On an early March morning still very cold the rods came out of hibernation. I knew it would be very hard to bank some fish this time of year. The lake in question is known to be very hard in winter and springtime. But the call was too great I needed to be on the banks. The morning frost was a bit of a nuisance but the bright spring sun gave me hope. It was a very nice day but the sun didn’t make the carp move, so this session turned out to be a flop. I said to myself don’t worry next week will be better.
The weather stayed nice for the remainder of the week so my hopes to bank a carp grew a bit. The only thing that bothered me was the cold sub freezing temperatures at night. The second time on the banks wasn’t what I hoped for, still some morning frost and cold temperatures.
The results stayed the same no fish on the bank. My spirit got a good dent. Still pre baiting the lake my thoughts went on to my third session of the year. The cold weather was not what I needed. The weather results and expectations past by in the next weeks, I noticed a good rise in temperatures and the night frost was gone. I decided to wait 2 weeks so that the water could heat up a bit. April was coming closer so the time to try again arrived. |
Third time’s a charm
A rainy day in April, my hopes of banking a carp rose to a new height. It was 3 o’clock in the afternoon my first rod went in to the water soon after the second rod went in as well. I knew this could be the day, the small fish where playing just below the surface. The evening was falling and the action of the fish was increasing. But still no sign of any carp, at 10 o’clock in the evening the first sign of carp finally arrived. A big fish showed herself right on my swim. Anxious I waited for a take, 20 minutes later my work of the past months was rewarded. A strong run made my delkim sang like an angel playing the harp. After setting a strong hook hold it felt like strong fish. The adrenaline in my blood rose, the first fish of the year. What would it be? 20 minutes later the fish wasn’t even close to the bank. My thoughts went to one of the bigger fish on the lake. Is it the big one (mirror 25.6 kg UK 56lb), the big common (24.5 kg UK 53lb). Another 10 minutes later I saw the first glimpse of the carp this confirmed me that it could one of the big carp. At this time in the game my fear of losing the carp was getting very real. 30 min of applying good pressure on the hook was getting to me. I needed to bank this carp soon. A last push, the fish was finally near the bank. My dad placed the landing net under the fish and banked her. My first common of the year 2009! A lot of wait fell off my shoulders still not knowing which fish I banked. After unhooking I took a closer look, we didn’t recognise the fish it was probably one of the commons that made a grow spurt last year. Very pleased and proud with the result we made some photo’s and weighted her. After 3 times the answer was in 41lbs 8oz common carp. |
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Tactics an set up
The tactic for 2009 was clear “hit & run”. This method gives me the ability to get the most results considering my long work days and changing work hours. Also by pre baiting the entire lake I’m not pinned down to 1 swim. This gives me the freedom to move with the time of year and wind. I believe a few hours at the right time and place will give me more results than fishing one swim the entire year knowing that the swim is best productive only one period of the year. And by baiting the whole lake I know that the carp will feed on my bait. Because some hard to get carp avoid large pre baited areas. The carp know that places like this are very dangerous to get hooked. By baiting the entire lake we avoid making large boilie carpets and this will boost the fish into moving around the lake and feeding with confidence. Fish that can feed without fear will pick up our hook bait much faster and with greater confidence.
For my rig and lead setup I choose to be a little different than the other anglers. After a bit of brainstorming with my mate and dad, we came up with a new design of lead setup. Everybody knows the normal lead clip and inline setup. They both have advantages and disadvantages. One disadvantage that pops up at the critical moment is when the hook turns in to get hold in the carp mouth is very clear. The lead is the greatest factor to provide force to get a good turn in and hook hold. When you try it in your hand you will feel that the full force of the lead comes way to late even with an inline setup. Our solution was the “sidewinder”. By letting the rig start at the heaviest point of the lead we ensured that when a carp picks up the hook bait it will immediately feel the full force of the lead. This results in a faster turn in and better hook hold. |
Here below you see the entire setup of the sidewinder in combination with a snowman presentation. I promise that in a later article I will provide you with an full step by step plan in how to make this yourself.
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To be continued....
Tight lines and see you next time, |
Jeroen de Meyer |
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