Syndicate Success - Andy Hull

This entry was posted on 15th April, 2016

Arriving at the lake after work on Friday, I found quite a few people down ruling out a couple of likely areas. However I had a feeling there would be a fish or two in the middle section of the lake away from the pressure at either end. I opted for a swim where I’ve done a lot of tench fishing in the past, so I know it fairly well.

I found a clear-ish spot 60 yards out, surrounded by thicker weed, on which I cast two rigs armed with CC Moores Pacific Tuna pop-ups. The third was cast to an area a little closer just to the left, a double bottom bait/PVA stick presentation. Over the spots I used a Fox Impact Spod to deliver a mixture of hemp, Pacific Tuna pellets and boilies glugged with CC Moore Response Liquid - Fish.

Around 30 minutes after putting the spod rod down I had a take on the middle rod, straight away I knew I was attached to a tench, soon landed and weighed at 8.02lb. I clipped up and recast to the spot.

No more action over night, Saturday arrived with heavy skies and light but persistent rain. It stopped just long enough at lunchtime for a recast and to top up the bait.

The cloud cleared Saturday night and by morning my Advanta Lowrider Brolly had a good layer of ice on the inside as well as out! Watching for signs of fish from first light, was done from the warmth of the sleeping bag!

Soon the sun was above the trees and I started to get everything dry really to pack up. I thought my chance had probably gone, with the sun now high, but just as I got the brolly packed away and bags on the barrow, the middle rod line pulled tight and pinged out of the Stow, not taking line but staying tight. On lifting the rod I expected to feel the knocking of another tench. However I was confronted by the power of a large angry carp, heavy and determined.



The fish initially just held not giving an inch, then surged away forcing me to give line. It kited right, the last place I wanted it to go, trees along the margin full of fish losing potential. All I could do was lower the tip and hang on, slowly I gained line and eased the fish back towards me. A couple of times the line brushed an unseen branch, but thankfully the fish kept coming. Finally the fish changed direction back out in front of me. From here it was less fraught, though the fish still refused to give up. Another couple of minutes passed before the fish came into sight, two more final lunges before finally I lifted the net around a large mirror.

Safely secured in the net, I fetched some help and we quickly had the fish weighed at 35lb exactly and some photos taken, before slipping her back. Slowly gliding away like she owned the place.

The Tackle Box Century NG 3.5lb Fox FX11 ESP Syncro XT Loaded ESP Tungsten Loaded Braid ESP Cryogen Stiff Rigger Advanta Rehab Cradle XL Advanta Low Rider Brolly CC Moore Pacific Tuna