A Few Hours Surface Fishing

A few hours down Tockenham proved well worth it. I headed down to watch Brad and young Jayden, and with a plan of tall zigs and Floaters in this glorious weather, it looked prime for it.

Their go-to was a blend of 6mm and 11mm floaters glugged in Hinders Chilli Hemp Oil. Five or so spombs to get going seemed to be the one. With only a few anglers catching and things looking rather bleak, we honestly didn't know what to expect. But no sooner had the spombs hit the surface, the slick from the oil flattened off a patch of water, and a big set of lips slurped right at the top. Then another. A few smaller swirls followed too, slivers or bream we guessed.

Brad had his surface rig dialled in "Check out his video from last year" and within minutes he was hooked into his first carp. 



On the zig he was running a Blitz 13mm Ultra buoyant Pop-up with the sides trimmed down, and for the floater rod a 15mm Blitz cut in half with a topper for that bit of visual pull. After a scrappy little battle, Jayden slipped the net under a beautiful newly stocked Linear. Brilliant start.

Next he chucked the zig rod a bit closer to the feedline, back over the floaters. Took a touch longer this time, but he was away again! Jayden jumped into the hot seat while Brad kept the floaters going in to hold those carp on the surface. Before long the youngster netted a cracking little koi, gorgeous orange in colour, and his first ever carp on a zig. Get in!

The next 40 minutes slowed right up, and between them the lads missed a few chances. But a few more floaters, a bit more confidence, and Brad was into another. Another proper scrap before he slid the net under a lovely common, around 15 to 16lb at our best guess.

So there you go. Three hours, three carp, a few missed opportunities, and a cracking few hours in the sun.

Check out the top tip video - a must watch!