The Railway Pit

Continuing from the last Railway update things have been great on this water when I have turned up to fish most of the time I have had the lake to myself. A recent session I had one rip off with a another 20lb+ Mirror but as I was sorting the mat and camera out the other rod ripped of making this the third double take on the lake. When I picked the rod up I knew straight away this was different to everything else I had hooked, taking forty yards of line from me before I could get the fish turned and once I did it was a slow plod all the way in. There is a big snag to left and you guessed it the fish headed for this and there was nothing I could do, the fish was in the snag and stuck solid. I had no other choice but to put the rod back on the rest and slack the line off hoping the fish would come free or at least allow the fish to get off so I could pull for a break, the last thing you want to do is damage the fish if this means losing one of the biggest or could well of been the biggest fish in the lake then so be it. All this time I still had the other fish sat in the net so I got the gear sorted and pictured the fish, on the return of the fish my line tightened up on the other rod. I picked the rod up and the fish boiled up on the top about ten yards away from me, I got the fish just in front of the net when it boiled up on the top, I could see this huge Common and the hook dropped out. The hook had been straightened which must of happened in the snag to say I was gutted was an understatement. This was the last time I fished the pit but I will be returning soon.....

Spinney Pool update

I have not been on Spinney Pool that much but the sessions I have had have been very enjoyable. The first was a quick overnighter with my lad, mostly float fishing in the evening and first light. I did put a couple rods out on singles for the night time but nothing happened there. Still it was a very enjoyable session fishing with the lad.

The next trip was with a good friend of mine Colin, we both work for the same fishing companies and been friends since school. He started things off with a bang with a lovely Spinney Common.

Shortly after I was in with another Common then things went quite over night until the morning when I was in with a lovely Mirror.

The next two hours it went mental Colin bagged a cracking Mirror then I had a double take with two minter Commons.

Then I had another Mirror followed by another Common which is a special fish, I first caught this one just under a year ago and was pleased to see it was up another 4lb in weight which is great news. All in all a mad morning and very much enjoyed by both of us.....

Me and Colin returned a month later with some new gear from Star-Flite Stainless to try out.

Things did look good for a couple of bites and it was not long before one of the rods ripped off, unfortunately I lost this fish after it had weeded me up twice and then headed to a set of lily’s in the margin where it stuffed me. Its was not long before Colin was in with a lovely Mirror. This is a fish Colin has called Maggie as he has caught it three times this year plus I have had it once, she loves the grub which has tipped her over the 20 mark that’s another new 20 this year.

The next session me and Colin helped out a couple of new members with spots and rigs and managed to bag a fish each, the first one fell to me after casting to bubbles it only took a few minutes till the rod ripped off with a another stunning Spinney Common.

While I was playing this one we both spotted a couple of fish showing at the other end of the lake. After the fish was returned safely we both moved the gear to the other end of the lake. After a couple of minutes of being in the spot Colin's rod was off with a lovely little Common.

This was the end of a short session and both us were very happy on the drive back home satisfied with a couple of captures and the fact we have both been able to pass our knowledge on. A couple of weeks after this session Colin was involved in a serious accident and will not be returning to bank this year so I hope you all join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.


The last time I visited Spinney was for a 24 hour session, I turned up to find I had the lake to myself once again but the light was fading fast so I just got the gear out and set up in one of the corners for the night. I was up at first light watching the water for any signs, this paid off as I spotted two shows at the other end of the lake so the gear was on the barrow and round to the new spot. I made a brew before I put the rods out and then there was another show, I got the rods off the barrow and dropped a couple of singles around the area. It was minutes before the first take from the spot, a lovely Common to start me off.

There was still fish in the area so I got both rods back on the spot and sat back with a fresh brew. About half hour the other rod ripped off with a stunning moon scale Mirror one I have caught before last winter, this is another fish putting on the weight again 4lb bigger then last year. It wont be long before this one hits 20lb......

The Railway Pit

This is a water I fished for a couple of months in 2008, not a lot has changed since then really the lake looks a little more mature but then its been here a long time way before I was born. Most of my family has fished this place over the years so its was nice to have a go myself. I pulled off early last time to go fish another water so I thought I would have another go this season. Things could not of gone better for the first session. The club has a no night fishing rule and in the book it tells you what times you fish for each month.

The first session was to be in the late evening I thought this would be the best time to see the fish showing and maybe get a take or two. I ended up with four takes but lost one the best fish being a lovely mid double Ghostie, this put up a great fight and I was glad when it finally slipped over the cord.

 I had a double take later on just managing to land the first as the other rod ripped off. Over the next few days I bagged another five Carp and three Tench fishing the late evening sessions. The best of these being close to the 20 mark. The second week on the water things only got better with the size of the fish starting to increase. I have had another five carp up to near mid 20.

Its been a good start to the campaign which I hope continues. Only time will tell......

The Big Pit so far

Early on in the year me and a friend had a couple of sessions fishing on a local pit which is huge. This is a day only water which puts most carp anglers off and to add to that it can be a 15 minute walk to the spot. We tackled the water together finding a nice area with a sand bar on the far side. We have seen fish cruising up and down the bar which is around 50 yards away. The bait was to be the Nut Mix from Soar Tackle and fishing popped up Corn, Maize and Boilies over the top. The first session was a good start with my mate having a lovely golden Common over the 20 mark and us both having a take at the same time two more Commons. A good start on a water of this size.

 We returned a couple of weekends later and both had a take each my mate with another Common and me with a lovely looking Mirror.

We unfortunately didn’t get any more time on the place due to other tickets coming through the post. To be honest this was a good as the club who have the rights to the water have now aloud night fishing increasing the number of anglers ten fold. The time we did spend on her was a great learning curve and we plan to return there in the next couple of seasons....

Spinney Pool Update

An afternoon session in the middle of February turned out to be an eventful one. After having three blanks on the trot I was determined to get back on and get some bites and that is exactly what I did. I had been baiting an area right through winter but rarely fished the spot so this was going to be the place to start today. The first had only been out five minutes before it ripped off. A nice upper double Common a great start.

 I was fishing the spot with singles on both rods. It didn’t take long for the next bite on the same rod this time a small mirror. Things slowed down for the next couple of hours then the other rod was off again another small Mirror, just as I was slipping this one back the other rod ripped off I quickly got hold of the rod but unfortunately I had a hook pull. I got both rods back out to the spot and by the time I had set the second rod on the buzzers the other was off again this time I had a right battle with one of the long commons this was one of the smaller ones at around 19lb but what a fight in the deep in front of me.

On the bank this Common looked stunning and I was well pleased with the pictures for a self take. This was the end of the session and what a session to have in a afternoon five takes and four on the bank not bad for mid February....


Another great session was later in the year in July. I took my three year old lad with me for his first stay in the bivvy. He was well excited to be out fishing, we did some float fishing catching loads of Roach , Rudd and a couple of Perch.

The carp rods where out and a hour of being there I got the first take from a cracking low 20 Common. Charlie was buzzing when he seen the Common go in to the net and loved stroking the scales. We had a picture together and then slipped her back in.

Nothing else happened till the morning when I was woken at five with another common, Charlie was asleep so I didn’t wake him for this one. We did some more float fishing in-between the carp rods going off. Altogether we had eight carp and very productive session and a great one for the boy. I was really proud of the boy he never got bored or moaned all the time we was there plus he had no toys, books or dvd player to pass the time just good old float fishing.......

The following weekend I was to return with the Star-Flite Stainless Consultants for a 48 hour session. There was a few us on the lake which usually sees the lake shut up shop but this weekend that was not the case. To start with a low 20 common was caught then I was to get a mid double Common just before a big thunder storm came over us.

 Another five fish where caught the next day and I lost one due to a hook pull. The final day saw three more fish on the bank and had another one and was cut off on a snag soon after. All in all it was a great weekend, some great new products where looked at ideas thrown around for the future of Star-Flite Stainless. Keep your eyes for there stuff it real is the best you will buy and the only set up you will ever need........

The River season 2014-15 so far

  The rivers are not my main waters this year but the time I have spent on them so far this season has been very enjoyable. First day of the new season and I was off down the River Soar for a little action, due to work commitments I only had a couple of hours in the evening. On arriving I expected to see a couple of cars at least parked up but there was none at all, sweet this will make things easier. I made my way up stream checking out a few spots on the way. I didn’t see any fish signs so it was time to check out my little spot that has produced really well for me in the past. I got the gear set-up and put some bait out, I sat back watching the water and I saw a couple of barbel moving in to the swim with there dorsal out the water, wont be long for a bite now. It did not take long for a bite the right rod bent right over with a great take. I had a great fight with this one at close quarters before finally she slipped in to the net the first fish of the new season and it looks a good one looking down in to the net. I got her on the bank after a few minutes recovery time and got some snaps, what a fish to start off with a nice looking double sweet. This was the only bite I had this session but what a bite to have I was more then pleased.

 

The next visit to the river was a few days later and again no one on the section, this place is a little gem. It has been much the same for the past 3 years which has allowed me to bait swims up without the worry of someone else getting in there. Off to my swim it is then, same place as last time with the same bait and rigs. This time the swim was alive with fish when I got there loads of silvers topping and a couple of barbel could be seen in the margin. I got the rods out and under armed them to the spots with a big hand full of freebies on both rods. It didn’t take long this time for a take another absolute screaming take with the rod almost doubled over. What a great battle I had with this one with it powering up and down stream, after a few more minutes she was in the net another double sweet. After a few minutes resting time she was on the bank posing for the pictures. It was still early but I packed up with a smile on my face and headed home.

The next session was to be with the owner of Castaway Pva David, its been a while for David so I put him in the prime swim and sat with him to help out anyway I could. The swim was very quite to start with so I only put a small amount of freebies in and proceed to top the spots up every 20 minutes. It took nearly three hours for the barbel to move in but as soon as they did one of the rods wrapped around with a take. David grabbed the rod and with a little instruction he had the fish under control it was just a matter of time before the fish slipped in to the net, this spot is not the easiest to land a in as the flow is at its strongest at your feet. With a little skill the fish slipped over the cord. David was very pleased to see a very nice Barbel sat in the net after the battle he had with it. After a couple of minutes resting time we pulled her up on the mat for some pictures, on the scales she went just over 10lb what a fish to catch on the first time out for some years. Well done David...

A few days later I decided to do a over night session further down stream. Things looked promising no other anglers there again and fish showing all over the place I thought I was going to be in for an eventful night. How things change an hour in to the session and nothing was showing and the rods just sat that waiting to rip off. Around one in the morning I got in to the bag and fell asleep to be woken up at around four with a take on the left rod. I was fishing locked up giving me time to get the rods, there is a snag about 30 yards down stream fishing with a slack clutch would see the fish heading for the snag before I had time to do anything. This was a good fish stripping line off the reel heading for the snags I had to stop it and put some serious pressure on to turn the fish I thought I was going to lose this one but fortunately she turned and headed back up stream towards me. A few more minutes passed with the fish playing hard under the tip rolling in the top layers throwing water up the bank. Finally she slipped in to the net and I yelled out yes this was a good fish. I never weighted this one as I had forgot the scales but she was easy over 13lb a good size for the River Soar. I held her in the water until she was ready to swim off enjoying the moment. I was well happy.

Spinney Pool 07-02-2014

Sweet its Friday again time to get back on the bank. I recently started a new job so am now back to fishing the weekends only, so when 12 comes on a Friday am straight off to the bank. This weekend I was back on Spinney Pool for an over night session that was until I arrived home from work to load the gear and the missus said I could do two nights buzzing. Two nights it is then, I arrived at the lake to find it empty once again. I posited myself on the low bank so I could hit both my baited areas, one of these areas has been baited up for a while now using Soar Tackles Nut Mix. Although I had none of this with me there has been enough bait going in this spot on a regular basis for me to feel confidant to fish a single over the spot. That’s one rod sorted out using a little Stiff Hinged rig with a very special Pop-up on which I will go into in another blog. The next spot was another baited area again I fished a little Stiff Hinged rig with another special Pop-up again no bait was put on the spot just a single hook bait. The third rod was my roamer the one that gets moved as soon as there’s a sign of a fish, this rod was using a chuck anywhere Chod rig with again a special Pop-up. I was all set-up and fishing by about four and was feeling good for a bite but it didn’t come right away it was around six that evening when the middle rod ripped off. Only a scraper double mirror but it was a start now where’s your mum little one. The night passed without any takers it wasn’t until around midday that the next bite came again off the middle rod. This time I had a little stunner one of the few Moon Scaled Mirrors only about the 12lb mark but a lovely looking fish I was happy to catch.

 I decided to move the roaming rod over to this spot and fish two rods on it, the baits where only about a rod length apart. Soon after Tim showed up to show some new members around the lake, one of the lads paid his for his ticket there and then so he could fish the night. I had a good chat with him about areas of the lake and what I have learnt over the last few months. Nothing more happened that day or night so I used up some of the time making a little product video for Castaway P.v.a. about there new big re-fill tubs, I good idea from the lads. The tubs are nice and water proof which is only a good thing where P.v.a. is involved, each tub contains 25meters of webbing and they come in all three sizes 18mm, 25mm, and 35mm.

When you have used the 25 meters up the tubs also make a good water proof holder for your re-fill spools. Anyway back to the fishing and the next bite came at nine on the last morning off the right rod this time on another baited area, only a scraper double mirror but still welcome. I had sat with the new lad looking at rigs and baits trying to help him get a bite on his first session but things didn’t work out to plan, he even moved pegs to try get one but it was one of those times where no matter what you do it just don’t happen. It took till three till the next bite came on the right rod again, another small mirror but everything was working fine its just the fish seemed to be the small ones of the lake.

I slipped the mirror back and soon after the left rod ripped off, this time I could tell this fish was a little bigger and it was, a lovely upper double mirror went into the net. I took some pictures and got her back in. I was well happy with that it had been a enjoyable couple of nights catching a few and meeting some new members so till next time...........

Spinney Pool 28-01-2014

Its back to the syndicate time with a big drop in pressure that cant be ignored. I have blanked on here since the first captures of 2014 on the fourth of this month, I have done three over night session since with no takers. With three blanks on the trot I was proper on it to got a take this session. Preparation started the night before the session with the rig wallet out and new rigs tied. Bait was already to go I just had to pick the Nut Mix up from Scott at Soar Tackle on the way to the lake. I had a good chat with Scott about all things fishing before I left for the lake. On arriving at the lake it was good to see no one else on so again I would have the choice of pegs. I picked a favourite peg of mine in the winter and started getting camp sorted. I baited a large area with the Nut Mix with the intention of fishing two rods to the spot one just in the baited area and the other just off it. Hook baits for this area were one rod with Marukyu Credence corn and the other with pop-up corn on. My third rod was to be a roamer rod with a Stiff Hinged Rig. I was really confidant I was in the right area and was sure to get a take at first light when the pressure really started to drop.

 
Time was pressing on with no takes through the night and nothing happening so far with only an hour left of my session. I started to slowly get my gear packed up when my middle rod let out a single bleep, a second later there was a serious of bleeps and I lent into what felt like a heavy lump on the end. The fish was started to take from me heading for a tree in my margin to the right. I grabbed the net and through it down the bank to the next peg where I was heading with the fish on. This worked a treat and I was able to steer the fish past the snags and then get her under the tip plodding about before I slipped the net under her, happy days. On the bank I had a nice upper double mirror sat in front of me.

The fish looked very familiar and so it should as last time I was here a couple of days ago with Colin he caught it again over the Nut Mix with a pop-up piece of corn. What’s the chances of that happening, also the fish was caught at the other end of the lake this time. I slipped her back in a very happy man although it was not a big fish it was more then welcome and a pretty one at that. I carried on packing the gear up and was soon in the car heading home with a smile on my face. Till next time.

River Soar 23-01-2014

Another go at Pike fishing was todays plans , this would the second session this season but the first of 2014. With the rivers still being very high and no transport to get to a still water I fished the only place I could think would hold some fish. This is where the river forks off. I chose I lovely looking peg which was just at the fork point allowing me to fish a rod in the side in slack water and one just on the edge of the flow. Both rods would be fished on the bottom with dead baits. My dead baits are just Roach and Rudd from Soar Tackle. I was not planning on being out for long I started at about 11 in the morning and would be fishing till about 3. I chopped a few deads up and feed them in to the swim to get a load of scent in the water. This worked well as ten minutes after doing this the first rod was twitching, after a few seconds I struck into the first Pike of the day only a small one be a good start.

Things did go a little dead for a while after this one I would of moved swims usually but I decided to feed some more chopped fish and see what happens. It didnt take long again till I was in again this time with a better fish. I had a good wrestle on the bank with this one until it was finally under control and I could take a few snaps. The top jaw was a lot shorter then the bottom and I mean a lot shorter you could see the inside of its mouth even when it was shut. Another lovely Pike from the Soar.

 
After returning this one I moved down the bank twenty yards and repeated the process and again it worked well but I hooked the same fish I just put back ten minutes ago. I know it was the same fish with the jaw and the shape of the fish, I quickly unhooked her and slipped her back in. Well that was it for today a well enjoyed session, till next time.......

Spinney Pool 04-01-2014

2014 is here and its time to get on the bank and catch some fish. On arriving at the lake I was happy to find it empty, I had a couple of walks round the lake but no real signs of anything so I decided to set up on the back of the wind and fish to the other side this is where I thought the fish would be holding up. I got the gear on the barrow and walked round to the low bank. I posited myself in the middle of the bank allowing me to spread the rods if I needed to. The main bait for this session was to be Soar Tackles Nut Mix.

 
I had around five kilo with me this might sound a lot of this time of year but I will only be putting out half the mix to start with and topping it up if I feel the need. The spot I will be fishing is between two pegs on the opposite bank, the depth here is around eight to ten feet. Instead of putting the bait in one area I spread it in a line for twenty yards and around five yards wide this would allow me to fish on the mix and both sides of it and a good chance of a double pick up. Also if anything did come in for a feed I would have a better chance of getting a bite. Hook baits would start different and if one produced all would change to that one. The first rod was fished with Marukyu Credence Corn on a short Fluorocarbon rig the second rod was fished with a special Pop-up on a stiff-hinged rig, the final rod was fished with a Credence Krill Feast in 14mm topped with a single piece of corn. The weather was looking best for a bite the following morning so I made sure everything was right for this moment. The night passed with no action but like I say the morning is bite time as the pressure is suddenly dropping then rising again early afternoon. The first take came just after a late breakfast at about ten. I only got a couple of bleeps and line tightened so I lent in to the first fish of 2014. After a short battle in freezing cold water she was safely in the net and I was buzzing. In the net sat a lovely bar of gold common only a small one but who cares when there stunning after all that’s why I go fishing.

After a few snaps she was back to fight another day. This fish took the Credence Corn rod but I had no chance to change any of the other rods over as the right rod ripped off they where definitely on the bait. This time it was the Pop-up rod off and again another slow short battle with another common around the same size.

Well what to do now I put the pop-up and corn back out and thought about changing the other over but left things as they are for the rest of the session which was nearly over now, I thought I might just get another before I left but it didnt happen. The Nut Mix once again working well on here, I was happy with how the first session of 2014 went till the next time...........

Pike fishing the River Soar

Its time for some pike fishing, the first session of the year. I went with a friend of mine Colin for a walk along the River Soar. It was not long until the rods were out in some likely places but nothing was happening. I said to Colin come on lets get up stream to the weir and have a go. We made the ten minute walk to the weir island where we both settled in the same peg. I was fishing a dead Roach on the bottom using a light running rig set up, Colin was using a pike float letting the bait drift around in the strong current. It didnt take long for the first taker, my rod tip started to twitch before line was being stripped off the reel.

The runner was set very slack so what ever picked the bait could run with without feeling the resistance. It was a great little battle in the strong current, it was only a small but welcome as first fish. Things died in this spot after this take so we both moved down stream to one of the other hot pegs. This turned out to be a right hot peg that day no more then 6 takes between us in a couple of hours.

 I managed one more and lost two while Colin banked two and lost one. It was a great day out on the bank with some fish caught and great laugh had with good company, Till next time......