Good Afternoon.
The traps were set yesterday and my little experiments were put into practice. I decided to take the plunge on my hot spot rod and replaced the normal offering of a fluro orange monster crab pop-up with a couple of plastic pop-up baits. I also prepared one rod with three tiger nuts fished on the bottom, and these two rods were put in their usual position in front of the pads. The distance to the start of the pads is probably about 25m from my pod, so as you can imagine, when a take occurs it is rather explosive action!
The Frenzied Tiger range! I much prefer this type of tiger than the one in the picture below!
Frenzied Hemp.
To complement my offerings I mixed up some small, large, and chopped tiger nuts from Dynamite Bait’s Frenzied range. I also added some garlic hemp to provide some extra attraction. The final rod with the placebo fluro pop-up, was placed in a new position, and was put at rather long-range to a channel in the pads. This rod is quite a tricky one to be honest, as the line has to come back to the side of the pads and then across the top of them for the last fifty metres. If a take occurs you can be sure the line will be caught in the lilies and there will definitely be some tugging and pulling in order to free it as you go to the hooked fish.
At some point during the night (it was still dark) I had a pick up on the plastic bait in front of the pads. The lead had released but the carp had managed to avoid a hook hold. I replaced the lead and dropped the rod back in position and shot back into the bivvy to resume sleep. Shortly after first light I heard a few quick bleeps from the same rod. As I jumped into my waders I noticed my pod had been pulled over into the water and only one rod was visible. I ran to the water and scanned the area. I picked up the first submerged rod but this was not the rod I needed to find. I could not see the other rod anywhere close by, so I started to walk forwards. As the water started to trickle in the top of my waders I spotted the rod on the lakebed. I flicked my foot under the butt section and managed to grab it with my hand. That was lucky! I walked backwards quickly and as the carp was fortunately still on, I now had to get it out of the pads. It was obviously quite a way in, but my tactical change yesterday with the mono, helped me heave it out quite safely, and by the time I had walked back to my sorry-looking pod, I could see the carp flapping around on the edge of the lilies. Half the battle was won!
My urgent 5am wake-up call!
I suppose the action could not have come at a worse time in the morning, as the aggressive mosquitos were already out for an early breakfast. Although I still had a job to finish, the stinging pain from the biting insects, on my hands, neck, and head, was very off-putting to say the least. Stefano was in his bivvy and I am sure he heard me shouting a few profanities at the top of my voice. I dragged the carp into the net as quickly as I could, slung the net handle over my boat to secure it, and made a dash for my bivvy to put on my head protection. The carp was successfully landed, but it came at a price – about fifty new mossie bites!
Not nice for company!
The Asian tiger mosquito having lunch!
I have been doing some research on the internet and have discovered the variety of mosquito that we have for company. The Asian tiger mosquito as it is better known, is native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. In the last couple of decades this species has invaded many countries throughout the world and Italy is one of them! It is characterized by black and white striped legs, and a small black and white body. This species not only feeds at dusk and dawn, but also in the daytime.
I have also been doing some research on repellents. DEET was developed by the United States Army, following its experience of jungle warfare during World War II. It was used in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Deet is an ingredient you should look out for when you purchase a repellent and there are two that I would now recommend from my research- Ben’s 100, and Off Deep Woods Sportsman. Both of these contain a high % of deet, but in actual fact, more research has stated that you don’t need to literally swim in the stuff, and a product that contains 30% Deet should work. I have mentioned that we have been using a variety of products with little success. Today I have managed to get hold of one of ‘Off’s’ products, which contains 30% Deet, and I will let you know if it works.
An Off product that contains Deet.
Later on this morning I had some indication of a take on my long-range rod. A few beeps woke me from a drowsy lie in, so after taking the rod off the pod, I then made my way to the channel in my boat. As expected I had to flick the line clear of countless stubborn lilies, and when I finally arrived at the point of contact, another long common was almost ready for netting. Once in the net I unhooked this one from the boat and let her go, as the ‘earlier’ common, that caused all the problems at 5am, was sacked up and waiting for its punishment – photographs by the reeds! In the morning sun it looked incredible, almost black, and the big old rudder may have been the reason for the pod taking off and me almost losing a rod and reel. I have now secured my pod with some rope and that saga won’t be happening again. (I am using the rod saver devices but these only work when the rod is tight against the alarm and your rod pod is upright!)
Tonight's offerings!
The traps are set again for the night that is looming. I have made a change to the tiger nut rod and am now fishing the tigers popped up with the 360 rig. I much prefer fishing tigers this way and as there is silk weed on the bottom, and the fish are clearly taking popped up baits, I won’t be surprised if a carp is caught on that rod tonight.
Come back tomorrow, to see what gets caught, and how many bites I get from the tiger mossies!
Ciao.
Jake and the dogs!
