For the last 4 to 5 years i have targeted a small pond that has a handful of carp with a large common. I have tried to catch this common for a long time but failed to do so. This year i decided to give it a really good go and try my best to catch my target fish.
With a couple of weeks free I used all the time I could down the lake. I began introducing a few handfuls of bait each morning onto a spot on the far bank. After 2 or 3 blanks the fish soon found the bait and I had my first fish of what was to be my most productive weeks fishing on the lake. The small koi was a new one for me which was nice as i had previously caught the majority of the lakes residents.
The following day I made an early start, filled with confidence. I got my rods out and soon had an aggressive take. I hit the rod was convinced I had the big common on. After a good 10 minutes without any gain of line the rod suddenly sprung back. A hookpull! Gutted!
The next day I felt like I was wasting time as I was sure it was the big common that i lost, but plugged on nonetheless. I applied the same tactics for 4 days, banking 2 fish each day. This is the most action I've had from the lake and was surprised as there is only 20 to 25 carp in the lake.
After a 2 day break from fishing the swim I returned knowing the fish would have had a free feed. After only 30mins of getting my rods out I hooked another good fish. This tore line off the reel and ploughed through the shallow margins. I soon slipped the net under the biggest koi in the lake at 29lb. I was very happy to say the least and was not expecting another bite. But only a couple of hours later I had another take. This fish was much heavier and slower. After 10mins or so I inched the fish in close only for it to tear off another 20 yards of line. The fish ploughed around in the margins and i could see it was a good common. After a hard battle I put the net under the fish and I was over the moon to see this common finally on bank weighing in at 34lb.
All my fish were caught using the Beta'nana range - the carp couldn't get enough of it!
Kane
