Stalking carp
- Nigel Rainton
- Rainbow Trout
- Posts: 3340
- Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:07 pm
- 11
- Location: Dartmoor
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Stalking carp
Today was a perfect day for carp stalking, the forecast was hot, sunny and with a North East wind to keep me cool.
I prepared the top secret bait (Pedigree Chum mixer flavoured with Tutti Frutti) and chose my favourite Scottie carp rod and ‘Nobby’ Mitchell 300. I walked to the lake. I intended to catch a fish and move on, I didn’t take a chair, lunch, tea or anything else that would anchor me down.
I found a corner, set the rod up and carefully put the line through the rod eyes. I usually mange to miss an eye or thread the line through the legs of a ring. I tied my top secret, super new rig. I call it the ‘No helicopter, no chod, no blow back and no lead’ rig.
I crept around the bank using the rushes and trees to keep me hidden. I found a carp in the margins and lowered the bait so that the line was hanging off a leaf.
The carp took the bait within seconds and tore off loads of line (thanks Nobby). After an arm wrestle with the Scottie I drew it over the net cord. I released it from the net. It weighed about 6lb, a good start.
I moved on and found another carp near some rushes. I threw in a few free offerings of mixer and then an underarm flick put the bait right over a rush. The bait plopped into the water and the line was hanging off a rush. Lovely. The fish took immediately it saw the bait. I raised the rod and the carp shot off towards the roots of a willow tree. I bent the Scottie’s butt and turned the fish before he snagged me.
Walked to the village and had a couple of pints, a nice afternoon :-)
I prepared the top secret bait (Pedigree Chum mixer flavoured with Tutti Frutti) and chose my favourite Scottie carp rod and ‘Nobby’ Mitchell 300. I walked to the lake. I intended to catch a fish and move on, I didn’t take a chair, lunch, tea or anything else that would anchor me down.
I found a corner, set the rod up and carefully put the line through the rod eyes. I usually mange to miss an eye or thread the line through the legs of a ring. I tied my top secret, super new rig. I call it the ‘No helicopter, no chod, no blow back and no lead’ rig.
I crept around the bank using the rushes and trees to keep me hidden. I found a carp in the margins and lowered the bait so that the line was hanging off a leaf.
The carp took the bait within seconds and tore off loads of line (thanks Nobby). After an arm wrestle with the Scottie I drew it over the net cord. I released it from the net. It weighed about 6lb, a good start.
I moved on and found another carp near some rushes. I threw in a few free offerings of mixer and then an underarm flick put the bait right over a rush. The bait plopped into the water and the line was hanging off a rush. Lovely. The fish took immediately it saw the bait. I raised the rod and the carp shot off towards the roots of a willow tree. I bent the Scottie’s butt and turned the fish before he snagged me.
Walked to the village and had a couple of pints, a nice afternoon :-)
- AshbyCut
- Honorary President
- Posts: 10142
- Joined: Sun May 06, 2012 1:27 am
- 12
- Location: North Warwickshire
Re: Stalking carp
Cracking photographs, Sir !!!
"Beside the water I discovered (or maybe rediscovered) the quiet. The sort of quiet that allows one to be woven into the tapestry of nature instead of merely standing next to it." Estaban.
- Robbi
- Tench
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- Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:40 pm
- 11
Re: Stalking carp
now thats what i call a wonderful day
"In the back roads by the rivers of my memory"
- Scott
- Tench
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- Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:22 am
- 12
- Location: The Lake District
Re: Stalking carp
Awesome, great bit of stalking. The photo of the fish breaking surface as it is being played is superb, I'd get it framed. I like your writing style, simple, to the point, a bit like Ernest Hemingway! I loved the bit about going to the pub, what a great day you had you jammy so and so.....
- Mark
- Head Bailiff
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- Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:55 pm
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- Location: Leicestershire
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Re: Stalking carp
Lovely write up SofaSurfer.
Mark (Administrator)
The most precious places in the English landscape are those secretive corners,
where you find only elder trees, nettles and dreams. (BB - Denys Watkins-Pitchford).
The most precious places in the English landscape are those secretive corners,
where you find only elder trees, nettles and dreams. (BB - Denys Watkins-Pitchford).
- Nigel Rainton
- Rainbow Trout
- Posts: 3340
- Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:07 pm
- 11
- Location: Dartmoor
- Contact:
Re: Stalking carp
Thanks guys, I had about 20 fish and got so tired I just had to pack up and go to the pub. They are starting to group in the margins for spawning. I landed one female about 5lb and a male fish about 3lb followed her into the landing net !
If its hot tomorrow they will start spawning, the water temperature is just right.
If its hot tomorrow they will start spawning, the water temperature is just right.
- Loop Erimder
- Wild Carp
- Posts: 9984
- Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:33 pm
- 12
- Location: Leicestershire
Re: Stalking carp
Lovely and great action shots
Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish
- Beresford
- Sea Trout
- Posts: 4261
- Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 1:26 pm
- 12
- Woolly Bear
- Chub
- Posts: 1184
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 9:52 pm
- 11
- Location: Near Liskeard, Cornwall
Re: Stalking carp
Absolutely fantastic ,wow those shots of your cane rod in full bend mode . Takes me back to when I once owned a mk 4 . Regards . Woolly bear .