Most of my fishing, from October onwards, is predator-based, but every now, and again It’s good to spice things up a little. My last session out was just that, even though it was a predator we were after, it was actually a big chub and not a pike.
My approach was simple, being a steak and mince attack. I had prepared my bait the evening before and bagged it up ready to go.
For feeding, it was simply to get the cheapest mince possible from local supermarket. This was then transferred into a groundbait bucket, where I broke the mince apart with my hands, added to this was half a kilo of Bait-Tech Halibut Marine Method Mix, a liberal squirt of Bait-Tech Predator Plus Liquid and then blitzed with a drill and whisk.
What you are left with is a course mix, that will bind together well without having to squeeze too hard. All the mince is broken down, effortless to place into a cage feeder and also to feed small balls into the swim.
The hookbait is again simple, Beef Stir Fry Strips. These were bagged up the evening before, along with a few squirts of Bait-Tech Predator Plus.
Meeting good mate Jon in the car park the following morning, we both agreed how much we had been looking forward to this session all week. The plan was to have a wander along, stopping at various points to introduce a couple of balls of feed, ready for us to drop back on, whilst roving through.
Jon’s attack was more based around using breadcrumb and cheese blitzed together in a blender, with either cheese paste or bread flake on the hook.
After pre-feeding a couple of likely looking spots, we settled on our first area, where we decided that the first target was to get a fish on the bank.
My set-up was a proper take no prisoners approach, comprising my Cadence 12ft 1lb TC Specimen Rod, 8lb Edge Tackle Specimen Mono which was straight through to a size 8 hook. Knowing there are some spots still with weedy areas in close, you need to be prepared. On to this set up was an Edge Tackle 30g Plastic Cage Feeder, which the mince groundbait was lightly squeezed inside to compact, so the bait wouldn’t release from the feeder.
After 30 mins, I had a rattle on the tip, nothing to strike at but a good sign. Jon, on the other hand, was first out of the blocks, with a lovely chub of around 3lb, target acquired.
The next target was now a fish over 5lb, with my current 25yr old PB standing at 5lb 3oz from the River Avon, it could easily be achieved I was told.
Another tap tap on the tip, followed by a drop back, I struck into an angry chub and a big fish by the looks of it too. Jon did the netting honours and his face said it all, “that’s over 5lb and could even be 6lb” he exclaimed. I was shaking as we got the fish on the scales, and they went straight past 5 and headed towards 6lb, ”OMG Jon, I have a new PB 5lb 13oz 8drms.”
After a couple of quick pictures, the fish was released back into the depths and I sat back with a coffee, beaming from ear to ear. Yes, I knew a big fish was possible, but I didn’t expect to smash a new PB with the first fish.
That was all from spot number one, which in all honesty I didn’t worry about. I said to Jon, if I didn’t get another bite all day I wouldn’t really mind.
A couple of moves later, saw us get odd little taps, before my rod sprung into action again. This fish again felt big and under the surface looked it too. Once in the net, we looked and said that’s over 5lb again but by how much? The scales settled on 5lb 6oz, another fish bigger than my old record. This fish wasn’t as long as the first one, but was certainly as chunky. What a session.
Several fruitless moves later, other than little taps, we were back at the car park and loading the vehicles for departure. What an amazing session, two fish for over 11lb, both beating my old PB of yesteryear and making for one happy trip back home.
I shall be 110% having another session, before the current river season comes to an end. This time also taking some bread, to fish the bread feeder on a second rod and of course steak on the other!
