Mick had kindly offered to do the driving and with the increased traffic expected we left slightly earlier than normal. Arriving in plenty of time for a breakfast and a couple of cups of tea, meant we were well prepared. We had taken a quick walk upto Red Kite Lake and both fancied a peg in the middle of the lake nearside out of the wind and to avoid the corner pegs.
There were 17 anglers in attendance including fellow GOT Baits angler Roy Makins, who regularly contributes his sessions on various websites.
Going into draw my hand stuck to peg 17 and a corner peg with the wind blowing in. Mick had fared slightly better on peg 9 in the middle of the lake, also with the wind in his face.
With an hour to set up I set up 3 pole lines, 7m, 11 and 12.5m I would start at 12.5 feeding at 11m in case the wind got up and it was impossible to fish longer. I would feed a little at 12.5 via a tosspot but nothing of any significance, My other line at would be corn at 7m feeding regularly by hand. I also set up a bomb rod which could easily be changed to a maggot feeder if required. Bait would be fishery 6mm pellets, dead maggot and trusty old corn.
I started off with a small pot of corn and dead reds on the 11m line and another of the same at 7m. The theory being that the bait will not disappear whilst on the bottom. The dead reds hopefully bringing in smaller fish which in turn attract the larger f1s and carp. There would then be some corn to them to feast on.
I then picked up the bomb rod and had a couple of chucks towards the bare bank to my left. After 15 minutes and nothing I tried the open water in front of me and first put in with single hair rigged corn resulted in a good sized f1. After an hour that solitary fish was all I had to show for it. Dave Stratful on the opposite corner peg was struggling, Roy Makins had a couple of foul hookers on the tip and waggler. The guy Next to Roy though was catching well on the tip, Pete Alland also had caught. My neighbours were struggling also with a couple of small roach to show for there efforts.
I re-fed my pole lines and decided to have a look on these. I started off at 12.5 with corn and nothing, coming back to 11m and I had a small carp after around 15 minutes which was hooked under the chin. No other bites on either corn or dead reds. I tried a banded 6mm but again this proved fruitless.
Others were now catching, especially opposite. Dave had caught a couple of f1s and a carp, Roy was now getting a few, chopping and changing between waggler and pole, whilst his neighbour was also still putting a few into the net.
Going into the last 2 hours I was stuck on 2 bites and 2 fish. The remaining couple of hours were spent on the bomb with a couple of dead reds. Cast it and leave it. Two more fish followed and four in four but nowhere near enough to compete. To be fair I think I was out of it at the draw, but you never know. My weight of 16lb 5oz fared better than Mick who surprisingly had also struggled on peg 9. One carp and a few roach for a did not weigh.
We did not wait for the overall result but knew we were well out of it. I am sure Roy will inform us in due course. Well done to all the framers, I do know there was a couple of 40lb+ weights from the early pegs before Mick and those opposite must of had close to that if not more.
So that is all I have to post for this year, it has been challenging, both in learning and the MK Nugget. Mick is improving year on year and always keeps me on my toes. Many thanks to all those who have helped improve my fishing, you may not think you have but sometimes a single conversation is all that is required.
Have a good Xmas and New Year and I will see you all when the ice melts.
