Gigantica Road Lake - Andrew Hull

This entry was posted on 12th December, 2017

No8. Not the greatest start in a draw with 10 people. Still, from the walk round, the fish seemed to be fairly well spread. My first choice went first; Rob had no hesitation in opting for Tea Party 1, no surprise as there were obviously a lot of fish in the area.

By the time I got to choose only one swim on my list remained, Bachelier's. I'd seen a good fish show, plus Single Boards on the far side had been closed, meaning that end of the lake was quiet.

Bait for the week was 30kgs of Urban Bait Red Spicy Fish in 18mm, hookbaits either hard hookers or wafters also in 18mm. A proven old school red fishmeal, can’t help but have confidence in it. To add further visual attraction I’d mixed some light coloured Urban Nutcracker baits in with the fishmeals.

I settled on fishing two spots; the left hand rod fished at 19 wraps towards a tree in the corner where I'd seen one show. The other two rods were cast side by side, 18 wraps straight out. Baiting up was easy, all being in catapult range from a gap along the bank.

Rob was first off the mark; by dark he'd had 5 to 42lb, great bit of angling, and really making the most of the opportunity.



I was woken at 2am by a take on the left had rod. I'd like to tell you about an epic fight, however I've had bream fight harder! I basically winched a 19lb 80z mirror straight into the net!

First light brought a thick mist obscuring the lake beyond the margins. I could hear fish showing, one or two sounding really big, it was just difficult to pinpoint them. Once the mist burned off I saw no more fish.



News came in that Pete had landed a double and Rob had had another 5, including another 40lb.

Later in the day word came that Connor had landed a biggie. I walked round to see; what a fish, 53lb later confirmed as a fish called Big Mac.

The day proved fruitless for me, but I rebaited, thinking they might move back in overnight.

First light came and went, not a fish showed. A quiet day followed.

Monday night, I was woken by a liner on the right hand rod, I hit it just in case; nothing. I stayed up listening, there were a few fish out there, lumping out.

Just before light, one toner on the left hand rod; got a fight out of this one, but no dramas, soon in the net; a 21lb 80z common, a couple of photos as soon as there was enough light.

Harris had opted to move swims, from The Poo to Billy's. He was rewarded by a 23lb common. I was having a walk round so went round to do the photos. A half hour later I was back round with Barrie, when Harris shouted he had a big common. A few of us went round for this one, a peach of a common at 41lb 50z!



Tuesday night was a repeat of Sunday night, nothing showed, no signs of fish at all.

I spent a lot of time watching Wednesday; at tea I decided on a move at first light into The Beach. Kev had moved out of there early in the week, so it had been undisturbed for a couple of days. I fished the night, just to see if I could nick another night-time bite, but it wasn't to be. I packed the gear away in the dark and drove round as soon as it was light enough not to need the headlights on. I had a simple plan for starters; single baits with light leads to bubblers.

Three rods sorted, I set about getting camp set up. I'd just about finished when the right hand rod was away, this one ripping line as it attempted to get around the corner to my right. I followed it round and got it under control. A couple more big lunges but then safely in the net. A big cheer went up from Barrie's swim, only then did I realise I had an audience. I secured the net and set about getting the unhooking mat ready. A few bleeps from the middle alarm, I lifted into what felt like a heavy fish. I shouted across that I might need some help! Rob was soon on his way. This one felt different, nothing spectacular in the way it was fighting, it just felt as if there was a lot of weight to it. Rob arrived with Barrie's net, the fish still staying deep, I'm taking my time with this one. Finally it rolls on the surface, 'that's at least an upper 30' I think to myself. It tried to go deep again, I just let it take line. Suddenly the lead came flying out of the water. 'No!', we both said in unison. I tend to underestimate fish while I'm playing them. Rob confirmed my thoughts by saying he thought it was easily 40+.

I switched all rods to IQ rigs tied up with Size 4 Korda kranks - something Rob had said about losing less fish on barbless hooks with a beaked point made a lot of sense.

We sorted the first fish, which had been patiently waiting in my net, a 24lb 110z common.

I flicked the rods back out for a couple of hours, on singles. Nothing more so I reeled in, clipped up and marked the lines at 20 wraps on the left hand rod, 15.5 on the middle and 11 on the right. I put them back out with a good spread of bait over each.

The rest of the day passed without any further action to my rods, though Barrie managed to land a 34lb 80z just before dark, adding to a brace, the biggest 38lb, he had on zigs earlier in the day. He'd been a swim or two away enjoying a beer at the time, I had no idea of the turn of speed he was still capable of! I was quite impressed!

Neil also got on the zigs following Barrie’s success and was soon rewarded with a fish at 34lb 140z.

The fish put on an acrobatic display overnight, some big fish amongst them, plenty in the area.

The right hand rod was away just before first light, a short fight with a small common of 14lb 40z.

I rebaited after breakfast. I put the right out first, followed by a good scattering of bait with the catapult, then the middle followed with bait from the throwing stick. Lastly the left out to 20 wraps. I was halfway through baiting the spot with the spomb when the middle alarm burst into life. Throwing down the spod-rod, I commenced battle. A strong fish, this one fought for every foot of line, and it took ages to bring it to the net. A pristine common of 24lb 120z.

I recast and put more bait out with the throwing stick, then finished baiting the left with the spomb.

Just after midday the left hand rod was away, this felt a good fish from the start, staying deep and determined. Kiting left towards the left margin, I clamped down and got the fish moving right into open water, away from any unseen snags. I got down the other side of the rods and brought the fish to the net; one last dive but just held it and then back to the surface and in. A better one this, a very long common, but no depth so only went 29lb 40z.



Rob came round for a brew early afternoon, we were putting the world to rights when the left hand rod was away again, again staying deep, difficult to gain line. This one wouldn't kite right so I had to coax it up the left hand side. Rob ready with the net, up to the surface; a good orangey mirror. A couple more dives, then into the net.

A really good looking mirror, creamy belly and orange fins, 32lb.



Same routine after tea putting the rods back out, just put the Spod rod down after putting 10 spombs on the 20 wrap spot, that rod was away! It had only been out ten minutes! This one felt big from the start, difficult to gain line, just a determined weight on the other end. It then starts kiting right, I follow it, gaining line but not stopping it going right. The line is dangerously close to the rocks making up the corner, I have to make like a mountain goat, pulling the net behind me. The fish is boiling just around the corner, I just held it there with my Shimano Intensity in full battle curve until it turns and I'm able to ease it back to in front of my feet. I get a glimpse for the first time, a big common. Heart is beating hard as it makes its last attempts to escape, the line pings off a fin, that horrible feeling until you realise it's still attached. I coax it over the drawstring and give a relieved celebratory yell!

Rob and bailiff Buzz come round to do the photos, we weigh the fish at 37lb 80z. What a beast!



Dark fell with wind and rain forecast, but it hadn't yet arrived when at 10pm the left hand rod received a violent take. I pick up the rod and am forced to give line, I feel a grating. Feels like another line. I cup the spool and let the rod buck over, the fish stops and then turns and I start to gain line. It feels free, I start to pump it in. It kites right clear of the other lines and comes to the surface, another long common. Not keen on the head torch it goes on another run but is soon stopped and brought over the net. Up on the scales it goes: 26lb 140z.

A tricky week with the fish grouped up, but I got it right in the end. Though in hindsight I wish I'd moved earlier. More than happy with the bait, my confidence was really boosted by the feeding response to the Red Spicy Fish.