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Carping Overview 2018 – Terry Edmonds
Sitting here in January, with a heavy frost on the lawn and frozen lakes around the country, I thought it would be nice to look over the best of the past year.
After a busy winter of casting tuitions, my angling season really started in March on a new syndicate that I joined for a particular scaley carp that had got me really interested. My first few sessions coincided with some really cold weather, the end of the weather system known as “the Beast from the East.” In fact, there was still snow lying on the ground on my first session, which was slow, but allowed me to get a good look at the venue. My second session coincided with frosty nights that put me off to a slow start; four nights with no action except one tench.
After the slow start on my main syndicate I joined up with a good friend for a few nights on another syndicate. With the sun now getting stronger as we approached April all three rods were put on zigs, one of my favourite methods. During the course of this session I managed a few bites, including a really nice 33lb plus linear. That was a fish I have seen before and wanted to catch, so well happy.
My next session was back on to my main syndicate, fishing over heavily baited areas. This time I managed to get amongst a few, including the fish I wanted when I joined in the first place(when your luck's in), another 33lb plus linear; things were going well. I also had a couple of others on that trip including another 30lb plus mirror.
The rest of my spring consisted of casting tuitions which get very busy through this period as anglers are preparing for trips to Europe and their new syndicates, my work at Angling Direct, and a few short trips to my syndicate where I managed a few more bites.
In May I went across to Poland angling, and also to spend a week with a good friend; it's something I've been doing for a few years now. This lake holds some great fish and the fishing can be quite hectic if you get on them. The people who run the lake are very welcoming, with great food and facilities; this is why I enjoy my time on there so much.
During the course of the week I had in excess of 20 fish up to 47lb. Most of the angling is boat work during the summer due to very weedy conditions and long range angling. Big leads, big hooks strong line and plenty of bait is the name of the game.
Back at home my work was now in full swing; lots of casting tuitions, Angling Direct also keeping me busy on the days I work there, plus developing some blanks for Harrison rods. The heat was also immense last summer and because of these factors I only did a few angling trips through this period.
Early September I was out doing some casting tuitions in France with Euro Tours. I had a great time improving the clients' casting, which I always get great pleasure from. As a bonus I could fish all week too! It was really hot but again I managed around 15 fish to 48lb, that being an immaculate common. The lake was shallow and silty but fishing a heavily baited area at 120 yards produced for me.
Autumn produced a few more 30s from my syndicate, with fish up to 34lb, they really love the bait in there, which suits my fishing down to the ground.
My last session of 2018 was at Linear Oxlease, I had 9 bites in 3 days with fish to 27lb, again it was a great trip as I was accompanied by a close friend. All fish coming at 90 yards over bait.
Through 2018 tackle wise for my angling nothing changed for me really Harrison rods and Daiwa reels, either Pro blend or GT 80 mainline, size 4 Muggas , Ultra Skin and a few other covert rig components, I nearly always fish a lead clip set up and 4 ounce leads or above. I don’t mess around with rigs too much, just find the fish, and put a bait they want to eat, where they are. I think people get so confused by tactics, rigs and bait that they forget what counts, a simple, effective rig and a bait they will eat, put in the right place, is what is required; keep it simple.
As I write this I am preparing for my first trip of 2019. I don’t have any real targets, just enjoy my angling and my family, work hard and see where it takes me.