Good Evening.

I have to say I have found the most amazing Italian radio station on 104 FM. It plays only English music and they are all hits from the 80′s and 90′s and as I was born in 1971, the last few days have been music heaven. Currently playing is Simple Minds “Alive and Kicking” and that is just how I feel right now. My cold is on its way out of here, the sun has been shining since about 10.30am, and  I am now sat on my bedchair with my gas heater on, contemplating what to write for tonight’s post…here goes!!

I was hopeful of another morning carp and I woke up at about 6.30am once more. I looked out of my door at a grey looking morning and decided more sleep was in order. At 7.20am a slow drop back had me into my boots and dashing to the rod. I wound down and felt a little thump on the other end – the result was a chub; my pink pop ups once again proving popular in Italy. I did not reposition the rod because I did not want to disturb the area in case there were still some fish around. However, I was sure the chub had probably scuppered any more chances anyway.

Cheers Mr Chub!!

Flash did not like the chub!!!

At 9.30am I made some breakfast and went for a quick stroll round to my tree. I climbed it and soon saw a group of fish swimming around following each other. The grass carp make the other carp look tiny and they look like whale sharks swimming amongst the carp. I climbed back down and went and prepared a rod for stalking – I was determined to catch one today!

I tried in the spot I fished the other day and presented a 10mm pineapple pop up fished 3ft off the bottom to begin with. All of a sudden the area seemed totally void of fish, so I wandered further down the bank and soon found what I was searching for. There were carp all over the place, all cruising around, here, there, and everywhere. Now I was possibly in with a chance.

I returned to my camp and got a selection of baits and a catapult. I sneaked back with the dogs (!) to see if the fish were still there and sure enough they were. I flicked some bread onto the surface and chucked a little pellet onto a clear spot in front of me, about five yards from the bank. The lake slopes away quite quickly and I estimated the depth to be about 8 feet. It was obvious I wasn’t going to be able to stalk carp with two Dobermans crashing and sniffing around the margins, but I got them to sit down whilst I watched the carp to see if they reacted to the bait – nothing! I walked the dogs back to the van and prepared a quick rig with three pieces of plastic corn. With this visible bait it would be easy to see it on the bottom and the plan was to drop it gently amongst the small introduction of pellet. I knew I was in for a long waiting game!

I arrived back at the baited spot and had to wait patiently for a chance to flick my rig into position. Everytime I attempted to swing the rig, a group of carp suddenly appeared. Twenty minutes passed and I finally got my chance. I ensured I over flicked slightly, and then dragged it back amongst the pellets. I could see the hooklink was straight and the corn was sat in the middle of the spread of pellet – perfect!

The carp kept passing through in groups and it never looked like a single carp was going to take any interest. I sat still for an hour watching and waiting. I was about to give up when suddenly out of the blue, a mirror carp broke free and swam down and deliberately took a piece of pellet. I had been given a glimmer of hope, maybe I was going to catch one? I waited another hour and nothing else had happened. My legs were killing me and my bum had gone numb, the carp though were keeping me there and I wasn’t going to flinch. Suddenly a common came in with two others and one of them upended and starting searching for the pellet. It took two pieces and then drifted off. The other two did not join in though and this was then the pattern for the next three hours! Only one fish would ever take an interest and they were very very cagey the whole time. I decided to give it ten more minutes as now the sun was starting to drop and the light was fading a little.

As the ten minutes came to an end, three mirrors all around the 25-30lb mark came in for a look. One came in close and starting to show an interest. He took one piece and then another and then they all disappeared only to return a couple of minutes later. I thought this might be the great ending I was dreaming of, and figured maybe the drop in light levels may have triggered them on a little. This group then disappeared and it then got really frustrating as the fish seemed to disappear completely, and every time I slowly got up, a carp would suddenly appear from one side. They were just playing games with me and in the end I threw in the towel. I was defeated but it had been great fun and nerve-racking fishing. I am sure I will be doing the same tomorrow!

The 360 rig I generally use for my pop up fishing. I like to use a big piece of shot on the tag end as it helps the hook to drop into the bottom of the mouth.

I also like to put a Korda tungsten sinker on the hooklink to pin it down to the lakebed.

I returned to my swim and decided to go and reposition the rod that I caught the chub on this morning. As a new trick up my sleeve, I went and placed it where the remainder of the pellet lay and if the carp do come back to polish off the leftovers, then hopefully it might nail one. I put on a 20mm monster tiger nut pop up, as not only is it bright it also blends in nicely with the washed out pellet that has been on the lakebed for most of the day. I am using Dynamite Bait’s halibut 14mm pellet and I only threw in a small handful, no more than fifty pieces and I reckon the carp probably took about twenty pieces while I sat and watched all afternoon. Tomorrow I will probably fish with a piece of pellet rather than the corn offering and I will introduce less to begin with. I also have some fake pop up pellet in my tackle box, so I may give that a whirl too.

I said a couple of days ago on the blog that I think there will be limited feeding periods. I do think the best chance of a take on the pop ups is around first light, so tomorrow I will rise early get the kettle on and sit and see if anything occurs and then go and get stalking.

Cheers

Jake and the dogs.