Club_Fishing

Messingham sands Swan Pond 05-07-09

2009-07-08T07:24:00.002+01:00

We arrived at Messingham Sands and had a breakfast, Messingham sands now as a rule where you have to buy all your pellets there which i do think is unfair on the angler making the cost of fishing pritty high. We did the draw and i got the fancied peg 57 which was produing some decent weights, I was told by the lad in the Cabin to go with the bomb and pellet into the corner so thats what i did when time was called. My first throw went right in the corner but did not produce anything so i dropped short and the tip flickered then dropped back so i picked it up and pulled back, it then set off into the trees aroun the edge of the lake but i managed to turn it and landed a carp about 4lb. the next hour i had about 6 good fish and lost about the same amount in the tree margin. Then i had a bit of a lull due to the wind dropping, then the rain came and seconds after the wind picked up and i started to catch again.

Half way and i reckon i had about 50lb in the net then i hit a proper lump of a fish which took me a good ten minutes to get away from the snags and up towards my landing net, its back came out of the water and it was in the region of 20 to 30lb it was masive it looked at me then turned and went on a run but i managed to turn it again and got it close to my landing net before it turned again and ws never seen again, more rude words came out in the next 5 minutes due to it was a badly tied hook that let me down. I kept catch and ws expecting to do the ton easy, i herd one of the lads say that we were finishing at 3.45 so that we could move the tackle away for the lads at messingham to weigh in, so at 3.40 i started to pack away after breaking my tip rod down i could see no one else was putting tackle away so i shout wahats going on they then said its 4pm finish which pissed me off a little, i set the tip up again and had another fish but then time was called.

I was the last person to weight and the winning weight up to me was 23lb 10oz which i knew i had easly won, my total weight was 126lb 14oz all on pellet. a good weight but it would have been a lot better if i had not lost as many fish andpacked up early.

Lodge farm field lake 21-06-09

2009-07-08T07:05:00.002+01:00

I went to lodge farm hoping to put things right after the desater of Messingham grange, We had a superb breakfast as normal at Lodge farm then did the draw. I was on peg 28 which was not too bad in the middle if the lake. Time was called and out i went with the pole at 16m with pellet banded on, i kept the feed going in every 10 seconds hoping to draw the fish in but nothing was happening after about 20minutes i decided to try the margin and hit into my first fish of the day a small carp then nothing for about 40 minutes. I could see no one was catching great amounts of fish so went out with the feeder with 4mm of cubed meat, the tip went around and i was into a good carp but then it set off and i pulled out a couple more throws and i was into another carp which i landed estimated at 3lb, a few more followed but that was it nothing.

I was thinking to myself it going to be another poor result to day, so i went back on the pole at 16m and started to put a large amout of pellet in as i did'nt want to take it home with in 10 minutes i started to get fish and with only 45minutes left i knew i had a chance of getting myself back in the frame, the last 45 minutes produced 8 carp not big ones but they gave me a bit of a chance. Time was called and i weight in 26lb which gave me 3rd place and helped me also win the pairs. the winning weight was 35lb 11oz so i was not too far off. Hopefully Messingham sands swan pond will be better.

Messinham grange osprey lake 07/06/09

2009-06-08T09:15:00.002+01:00

We got to Messingham Grange, expecting quite a lot of rain but at the moment we had none, parked up and went for a breakfast in the cafe, Poor service as usual, but we got one in the end.
After the breakfast i walked up to the lake and had a quick look, fish topping everywhere, we did the draw and i was on peg nine. I had fished it before and didn nothing so was not expecting a good day.

Got my margin pole out and setup 2 rig one for 8m and the other for the margins, time was called and in i went to the margins nothing for the first 20 mins then my first bite and fish a carp about 1oz. I knew what to expect from this peg so i went on the pellet and hit in to a decent carp must have been about 4 pound which is pritty big for this lake, i had a few more fish around the 1/2 pound mark and loads of 1oz, 2oz fish. I am not going to put much down to be honest as not much happen, but i reckoned i had 20lbs which would not be anywhere, so i disconnected my keepnet and put it into the scafolding pole on the platform while i took my bok up the banking then i started putting away my pole. I looked around and could not see my keepnet, it had blown out of the pole into the water so i got my landing net pole out and dug around to try and find it. I got it back after about 3 minutes but knew i had lost a few fish, serves me right anyway i weighed 15lb so must have lost about 6lb plus because my biggest fish was gone. Just as i started packing up my tackle the heavens opened and got soaking wet. next time woodland thrisk fishomania qualifier, hope i have my fishing head on.

Lindholme Strip lake 17-05-09

2009-05-19T09:49:00.009+01:00

Got to Lindholme and went in for a breakfast, which i must say as improved since last year. Then we did the draw, I was hoping for a corner peg but got the centre of the lake which I was a little dissapointed with. I had decided from the start to go out with the maggot feeder as a few freinds had told me it was fishing poor for this time of year and 20lb was winning the matches so maggot was a safe bet.

I set the pole up and plumbed it at 11m and 6m plus the margin, but was not expecting to use it at all today. Time was called and out the feeder went with double red maggot on, within a few minutes the tip whipped around and i was into my first carp only a small one but a carp none the less. out again and the tip went again, i though this is it going to have a good day but then i pulled out and lost what felt like a decent fish. The next few throws were very small taps and nothing on the end then nothing at all. So i decided to give the pole a go at 11m i went out with the pellet and didn't feed anything the float seemed to lower in the water and then went uder very fast, I missed the bite but realised these were carp mouthing the pellet then taking it, the next time I was ready the float dipped then went and out came my elastic a few minutes later it was in the net. The next hour was very productive with a fish ever drop in then with 1 hour to go it went very quite no signs at all so i went on the feeder but this time with a small pellet feeder and a 6mm pellet, in i went and around went the tip with a decent carp, in again and another decent carp. Time was called and I Knew I would easy win the match,

I weighed 41lb 12oz with my mate Richard 2nd with 22lb 14oz 3rd was 17lb 4oz. All in all a good day the corner pegs all fished poor which was a bit of a surprize to me because the wind was blowing directly in to the bottom corners. Next match is in 3 weeks then its Fishomaina at woodland.

Woodhouse grange (ghost lake) 03-05-09

2009-05-06T08:25:00.002+01:00

After a run round trying to find a breakfast we got to wood house grange, the rest of the lads were waiting for us and we drew right away. I drew peg 17 which was were I was hoping to draw, I set up 3 swim the first at 13m on the bottom which was about 6ft deep the second at 6m and the third in the margins. Time was called and i went out with the pole cup on full of slop (well soaked pellets and corn) then i put a pellet on and went over the slop about a minute later i had my first fish of the day a small but very fit ghost carp.

After a few more fish the bites started to slow down a little so i went back out with the slop and back over again, by this time the wind had started to pay a part and got to where i could not hold it at 13m so i came closer in on my 6m line but the next hour only produced 1 fish. I then decided to try the paste my paste mix is green swimstim and tuna it always seems to work, after a couple of minutes i had a fish about 2lb which was the biggest i had landed today. Then they started to get a few more bites, had i added a few more fish to the tally. I could see Richard across from me had started to get 1 a bung which i could not match. I decided to fish down the margin hoping to pickup a couple of lumps as i knew i was well behind at this point, then i hit a decent fish which i knew i must have foul hooked as it set off really slow i managed to get it to come up pritty quick it must have been around 15lb but no sooner had i seen it that it was off. I knew then that second was the best i would get and with only a few minutes left decided to have a go at 13 m with the paste but before i even got out there time was called. Richard won the Match with 59lb 5oz and i came 2nd with 45lb 12oz. (weather conditions were very windy and overcast) Still its a good start to my season.

19th April Hoskers (Candy Corner)

2009-04-27T08:59:00.004+01:00

Well its been ages since my last blog, so here goes. My first Club match for ages was at Candy Corner, I had my breakfast and went for a quick walk around the lake, i faniced peg 14 but this was only because ive had a few good weights of it, and knew the fish would be there. The weather was overcast but with sun breaking through, Right ive not practiced on here but did read the results from a few of the other matches and pegs 1 to 5 seemed to be doing it. So when i drew peg 17 i really did think that i was out of it, i set 3 rigs up one at 11m to the island one for the margins and one for up in the air, all were pellet rigs. Time was shouted and in i went with a large pot of 4m pellets, then i went to the island and dropped in my line i put some bait in the margins and kept putting a bit in through the day, the first drop in went with in a few seconds to a small golden tench then another bite which set off, but turned out to be no more than a F1.

This went on through out the day all small fish i could see that peg 14 was catching lumps but he ws also getting frustrated with the fish he was losing, i then it my biggest fish a coomon about 6lb, then slowed up so i decided to have a go in the margins, first 4 drops i missed then i hit a decent fish which i had on for about 10 mins, but was disapointed has i had fowl hooked it.
I kept plugging away catching 1lb to 2lb fish the rest of the day, while peg 14 had smashed a number 4 section in a paddy but it is so frustating when they set off from peg 14 because you can't stop them and you end up under a footbridge. Anyway while i had started to put a decent net of fish together i decided i better just see what peg 1 to 5 were doing so i went for another keepnet, as i had about 45lb ish in then net and the maximum is 50lb. To my surprise pegs 1 to 5 were'nt fishing as expected so i got my net and went back to my peg konwing i only had to beat peg 14. As the match went on i seem to step up a gear with a fish almost every drop in but i also knew peg 14 was still close. Time was called and i knew i had a decent chance, i weighed 73lb 6oz which was not far off what i said to the people with the scales, When they got to peg 14 i knew it would be close his weight was 56lb 12oz, so it was my first match back with a well deserved win.

Lindholme team of 6 match 29/06/2008

2008-06-30T08:06:00.002+01:00

This was my first real open this year and it was teams of 5 anglers with 1 well known Angler as your Capt. We had AndyMay has our capt and his advice was to fish up in the Air so thats what i did for the first hour but it was hard work and i only had a few fish so i decided to go down the edge where i had a lot more sucess. I had a few carp lost a few but on only did my best with the peg i drew. I ended up with 18lb not a great weight but it got our team 2nd spot on the day and drawing me £50 so it was not that bad.

blog update

2008-06-18T14:13:00.000+01:00

I will start updating my blog again lost the password but working fine now

Candy Corner open 02/10/2007

2007-10-03T08:13:00.000+01:00

We Arrived at Candy and sat in the car with our full Monty sandwich, it was a breakfast on a sandwich, Bacon, sausage,egg,mushrooms,tomatoes and beans. We then went down to the cafe for the draw i drew peg 27 which i won off the week before while Jamie drew peg 23. I ran to my peg and setup the same as the week before, time was called and out i went to the middle swim with pellet on the hook after 10 minutes i was becoming a little bit worried as i had not even had a bite i went to the margin swim and again sat and waited for the float to dip but nothing. Then the owners son came down and told me that a bloke fished it the day before and he had to tell him to stop throwing ground bait in. Well i knew then that they would have moved out, i putt 2 more sections on and pushed out to about 10m. I dropped in and with in a few minutes the float was under, if i would have know about the plonker before i would never have gone in on my first swim that was about 1 hour wasted.

I landed the fish but it was only a small carp about 1/2 pound i could see Andy sellers was catching on peg 7 and looked down to see Jamie into a good fish. I went out again but this time with a small cube of meat the float dipped and i was into a decent fish after a few minutes it was in the net 5lb mirror carp. i pushed out again and hit few few small carp then it went dead i went another hour without even a bite i decided to try again on my original swim just to see if anything had moved in but after 30 minutes i went back to the 10m swim with meat just as i dropped it in i saw a bit of movement to the left of me at about 4m so i left the 10m swim and dropped it there after moving the dept to about 2ft deep this was high in the water i put the pellet on and put a few out to see if i could tempt what ever it was i few seconds later my red hydro was halfway across the lake this was a better fish i dipped my pole under the surface to try and get it to come back but felt it go slack meaning i had pulled out of it at this point i was getting desperate for a decent fish with only 1 hour left i had about 12lb i tried the same swim again but noting so i decided to go back to my 6m swim and put a bit of pellet down hoping to bring the bream in with only 20minutes left i hit a bream about 2lb then a few more with the odd carp , time was called and i knew that i did not have any chance of winning but i decided to weight because i was told it had been a hard match.

1st Andy sellers 62lb 8oz
2nd Jamie Hamer 50lb 10oz
3rd Dave Lane 39lb 13oz
I fished 4th with 33lb and won my section

Candy Corner 25/09/2007 open match

2007-09-26T13:07:00.000+01:00

I picked Jamie up and went down the M1 instead of our normal route , this was so we could call at the sandwich shop in Tickhill for a full Monty sandwich. When we got to Candy Corner we had our Sandwich and went and paid our pegging fee and had a drink of tea. the draw started at 9am i held back a bit before i drew my peg and when i drew i was quite happy peg 27 which was on the bank i came 2nd from last week, Jamie came out with a smile on his face peg 18 and the golden peg.

I setup the pellet waggler first off and then the pole fishing my favored 3 swims left and right margin and 6m out in front of me. Time was called and i went out with the pellet waggler about 12inch deep with hair rigged meat i then fired small pieces of meat over it and waited after 20 minutes i had no movement at all so decided to go on the pole i feed pellet but went over it with small pieces of meat, with in 10 minutes i was into my first fish a carp about 1lb i went to the side to see if anything was there but had no indication so went back out to the 6m swim i hit another small carp about the same size then decided to put the pellet on i dropped it in and threw a few pellets under the float went and out came my red hydro after a few minutes i had the fish in my net about 6lb i dropped in and waited about 3 minutes before it went again this time i had a better fish after a good old fight i landed it and estimated it to be 15lb but because it went all over my swim i did not have any other fish for a good hour i kept feeding but nothing was happening so i went out on the bomb with meat while i gave my swim time to recover, i could see that others were starting to catch but i never stopped feeding and after about 30 minutes i went back on my 6m line first drop in i had a decent bream so i upped the feed had kept getting bream with the odd small carp.

With only 20 minutes to go i hit a good fish which dragged we to the island i put the pole underwater hoping to get it to come back but it pulled out i looked at my rig and could see the hook was almost straight quickly changed but never had another fish. They started the weighing at peg 1 going around to Jamie, he weighted 51lb which they were all saying was going to win i then decided to wait and see if anyone else had done him and if not i was going to drop a few fish back so he would pickup the golden peg when the scales got to peg 22 i was almost ready to run to my peg and put a few back but the shouted 54lb i knew i had a decent weight but was not sure if i could beat that they finally got to me had i pulled my silverfish net out 27lb 12oz i knew i would win it now then he pulled out my carp net which took me to 56lb that was it the winning weight.

just mention that 2 large carp were caught 1 19lb and 1 20lb.

Weather conditions northeasterly windy at time

Candy Corner club Match 23/09/2007

2007-09-26T12:23:00.000+01:00

We all got to Candy and had breakfast then we did the draw i drew peg 42 which was not one of the pegs i was hoping for, anyway i setup my normal 3 swims left and right margin and about 6m in front time was called and i went out with pellet on the hook fishing about 4ft deep. After about 30 minutes i had not even had a bite, i could see others catching on the other side but nothing of any size then on the hour i hit my first fish a carp about 4lb which i had out in a few minutes, i put it in the net and went out again, once it settled i throw a few pellets out and under the float went again this time a bit bigger fish and the red bungee came shooting out i landed the fish estimated at 8lb i then started to pick a few bream up and the odd carp until about 1 hour before then end when i hit a really good fish i had it on for about 10 minutes and finally landed it estimated 12lb, i never had another bite after that.

Richard in peg 29 had caught late on but nothing to cause me any problems i could not see around the corner but i was told that nothing big had been caught Richard was winning the match with 32lb until i weighted 48lb and took the win.

weather conditions westerly wind and cloudy.

Candy Corner 18/09/2007 open

2007-09-19T09:28:00.000+01:00

With a good turnout at Candy Corner i was expecting the fishing to be hard i drew peg 29 and was told by 1 of the lads that fished it the week before that he had nothing until the last hour and he weighed 12lb, Jamie then told me that the fish were at the top end and that i could pull them in if i got my feed right. I setup 4 swims with the pole which were the margins on either side of me, 3 meters in front of me and 8 meters in front, i also setup the feeder rod in case i got desperate.

Time was called and in i went i did not put any feed in as i knew that they were backing off from talking to other, i dropped the float in and and fed a few 4m pellets and with in a few seconds i was in to my first fish the bloke in the next peg said he had not even got any feed in and could not believe it when i had landed a 4lb carp before he came back with his cupping kit. i Knew it was a bit of a fluke but someone needs a bit of luck so why not me. I went back out and dropped a few more pellets in the swim i was just over dept at 4ft with about 1inch laid on i waited a few moments and the float went again this time a smaller carp about 1lb but it was a better fight than the other carp i fed while i played the fish and landed it after a about 1 minute tough little bugger. by this time the lad next to me had start to catch a few carp while i kept up with small amounts of feed going in we are talking 3 and 4 pellets at a time.

As the day went on i kept picking up carp but nothing of any real size so i decided to try the 8m swim as the lad next to me had a few decent carp. In i went and almost straight away the float went but i missed the bite, again i was on the bottom but i only had a small hook on and was tempted to change for a 14 or 12 but left it. I went out with the cupping kit but with only a few pellets in and hoped they would bring in the bigger carp. The float went again this time i hooked the fish and off it went i tried to hold it but it bottomed be out and i pulled out, i came back in and change the hook to a 14 again i went out with the cupping kit with only a few pellets. i dropped in and waited but nothing had the last fish spooked them i checked my pellet and dropped back in but again nothing so i decided to put a bit more feed in, i filled the pot and shipped out. I then left it for a few minutes and had a go down the margin but nothing was happening so i went back to my original swim at 3 meters in front of me and waited before the float went and i was into a real monster of a fish, it bottomed my red hydro out so i shipped out about 8m of pole and let it knacker its self out when i landed it i was well pleased a 15lb plus fish.

As the day went on i had few more fish in out of the swim the biggest being about 8lb and with only a few minutes left on the clock i hit anther big fish after a few minutes of playing it off it went and my rig with it, time was called and i weighed 61lb the winner was 75lb with jamie taking 3rd with 55lb.

Mallory Park 04/09/2007 invite

2007-09-13T11:11:00.000+01:00

Got to Mallory park on what can only be described as a lovely sunny morning, after the last match here I decided to make sure I had loads of bait so took down 12 tins of corn and loads of hemp and pellet I drew peg 11 and setup the feeder rod for the far bank and the pole for the margins and 2 other swims 6m and 10m which I could push out to 13 m if required time was called and out I went with the feeder and meat on the air rig while I put some bait in the other swims. After only a few minutes the tip went round and I had my first fish of the day a small carp about 1lb. I went again as close to the boards as I could get while I kept feeding the other swims the tip dropped back and I went for it fish number 2 in the net this time a small bream about 4oz.

I went out again but noting this time so I decided to give the pole a go as I dropped the float in I could see a swirl and then a splash and out came the elastic this was a better fish and it never stopped the elastic bottomed out so my pole went into the water hoping to confuse the fish which it did for a moment but as it came back to me the hook pulled out.

Out I went again but this time it took a bit longer before a got a bite this time a lift and a slight dip which I hit, I then saw the bream jump out of the water and with in a few second I had it in the net. I kept feeding the margin swim while I was fishing a 10m I had a few more ½ skimmer and a small roach but not anything which would give me any trouble. I then went out to margin swim and after about 30 minutes gave it up due to no bites at all. Back on the feeder and again with in a minute a carp was dragging the tip around this was a little bigger about 4lb which I landed with ease.

I was throwing so close to the far bank that I was hitting the boards and on occasions getting caught up, so I decided after about 1 hour to go back on the pole. I had been feeding regular at 6m and dropped in there has i dropped it in the float seemed to stay under then slide away I struck and out came the elastic again this was another good fish as it bottomed me out but I got it to turn and I had it in my net, I looked at it and could see I had fowl hooked it in the top of the nose but it was in my net and weighed about 6lb.

I picked up a few more small carp and skimmers, and with only 5 minutes left decided to put the feeder out while I put some of my tackle away, I started to breakdown my pole rig and the tip swung round and pulled my rod into the water as I tried to get the rod the leg on my platform gave way and I fell on to a power top 2 my landing net pole and the net its self all smashed but I got hold of the rod and got the carp out another carp about 4lb I had to hand ball it out because my net was broke I looked at the damage to the top 2 and it had snapped at the bottom the landing net pole was totally smashed.

I weighed 37lb 9oz for my section win while the winner weighed 62lb 2^nd was 57lb 2oz 3^rd was 42lb 12oz, 4^th was 38lb.

Weather conditions were sunny with a north breeze

Woodhouse Grange 02/09/2007

2007-09-03T07:16:00.000+01:00

The lake we were fishing today was called the ghost lake, Was it called this because no body ever saw the fish or because of the ghost carp that were in? We did the draw and i drew peg 3 i setup 2 swims 1 at 8m and the other a margin swim all i had in my bait bag was pellet and corn this was because i was told that these were the favored baits.

Time was called and i went out with a large pot of corn and pellet, the put corn on the hook and dropped in right on the top. The float was moving about but not going under i had a few strikes at slight dips but noting connected, i came back in and put the pellet on just as it settled under it went not a big fish but that didn't matter a small ghost carp about 1/2 pound out i went again and another bite and another ghosty again about 1/2 pound i then put out another pot of corn and pellet and left it to settle while i had a quick go in the margin swim this time the float flew under and i was into a better carp after a few minutes i had it in the net a common about 4lb, in i went again but no sign.

Buy this time the wind had started to get up but i had planned to fish my 8m swim again so went out with the pellet on, don't think i said but the depth was about 7ft so my shot was bulked at the bottom. i had a few more ghost carp out but the wind was getting gale force it had already blown all my pellets off the side try and for 10 minutes i was just trying to get things to stay on the ground, with no pellet i went back to the margin swim and just fed corn in the edge i picked up a few more fish but knew that it was not going to win me anything. Time was called, up to me the winning weight was 25lb which i knew i could not beat then 14lb for 2nd i pulled out my net and weighted 16lb 6oz but which took me to 2nd spot then the last person to be weight came out with 28lb knocking me back to 3rd place.

Weather conditions

Very windy but no rain

Hayfield lakes Doncaster 19/08/2007

2007-08-20T07:56:00.000+01:00

After yesterdays performance i was contemplating staying in bed but decided to go i got up at 5oclock and looked out side it was dark and raining. I got all my stuff ready and waited to be picked up, Brian told me that it was not fishing well but the method to use was the feeder with pellet. We got to the venue had a breakfast and then went for the draw. I was still knacked from the day before and really felt crap but drew my peg which was 51, my god what a walk i was glad i brought my barrow.

I got to the peg and could see a few fish topping so decided to fish the waggler but very shallow i could see most of the other setting up the feeder but left mine in the bag. i setup the pole but only for the margin i could always setup another rig later. Time was called and out i went with the waggler fishing about 12 inch deep with a hair rigged 12m pellet. after 10 minutes of feeding pellets i thought i had made a mistake but then i hit my first fish a carp a few minutes later it was in my net, not a massive fish i would have said about 4lb, i went out again and kept firing out the pellet another take and another carp in my net about the same size. I could see all the others changing to the wagglers but i had 2 before they had chance to blink, i then hit another but i could tell this was a good fish it kept deep and was sluggish and heavy5 minutes later i tried to get it to come up but it just took about 3o yards of line after about another 5 minutes i finally got it to the top this was a good double it could be a 2olb fish then it turned again a snap went my line, after 10 minutes for cursing i went back out deflated i could see the others starting to catchall on the waggler but i was starting to get bites again then down came the rain i was drowned and most of my pellets had turned to mush.

Then all of a sudden it stopped and out came the sun, i got a fresh bag of pellets out and had a few more carp in my net i knew i was sitting in about 3rd or 4th place and could have done with another couple if fish but the last hour just dried up and i never had another bite.

Phil who i share with had been catching constant so i had a feeling that he would have won it but until the fish are weighed it was between four anglers.
I weighted 24 6oz to take 3rd spot Richard weighed 32lb for 2nd and Phil had 40lb 2oz for 1st.

Weather conditions sunny spells with heavy rain.

Here are a few Pictures of the fish.

Messingham sands Island 18/08/2007

2007-08-20T07:43:00.000+01:00

Before i went to this venue i was told that it was fishing rubbish and that a lot of fish and been lost. When i got there i went to my peg and had no islands which was a bad thing to start off with and when i started setting up i dropped my phone in the water so i knew from that point on it was going to be a bad day.

I had setup the feeder and the pole and fed 2 lines on the pole, margin and 8m in front of me but with the feeder i went out with the pellet, time was called and out i went with the feeder with in 2 minutes the tip went round and i was in to my first fish, it didn't feel big but sometimes they can be deceiving i got it to the top and could see it was about 10lb then it turned and set off like a Subaru and i ended up pulling out. then for 3 hours i never had a bite, so i decided to go on the pole in the margin first drop in i hit another carp and after having it on for 5mins it decided to go into a reed bed i tried my best to get it out but no joy, that was another fish lost. i then started to get a few small fish but knew it just was not going to be my day i ended up with 6lb 14oz which was shite.

the winner fished feeder with pellet and won the match with 25lb, 2nd was 17lb and 3rd 12lb
the conditions were windy and showers.

River Don Sprotborough

2007-08-13T07:25:00.000+01:00

Arrived at Sprotborough and was not really looking forward to it, but after having a walk down the river i was feeling a little better, simply because i could see fish topping which i did not see at east stoke. i drew peg 8 and setup the stick float and a line on the pole time was called and i set off with hemp and caster down the edge with in a few minutes i had a small roach in the net then another these fish were about 2 oz so don't get excited, after about 1 hour i had about 1 1/2 pound in the net. The fish were all small but at least i was catching i then decided to give it a go with the pole , so i went out about 5m which was about halfway across the river with a 1 1/2 gram float fishing about 7ft deep to hand . I used the same bait as with the stick float and let it run down the same, with in a minute i had my first decent roach about 1/2 pound then another which i swung in but dropped of what a stupid thing to do but i did it end of story, i kept catching for a few hours but again not massive fish then it just dried up so i switch to the maggot 1 fish and then dead.

I decided to change again to try and pickup a bonus fish so out went the feeder, instantly a small roach out i went again and into a snag which ended up snapping me, back to the stick float and i picked up a few more roach before time was called i ended up with 7lb 14oz for 5th 12lb 2oz won it 2nd was 10lb, 3rd was 9lb 4oz and 4th was 8lb 2oz.

The weather was sunny all day with a slight northerly breeze.

East Stoke river Trent

2007-08-06T07:34:00.000+01:00

I decided from the off what i was going to do and stuck at it all day unfortunatly its didn't work i sat there 5 hour with a 12m halibut pellet on waiting for the barbel i didn't even get a sniff the river was about 3ft up but that was no excuse i knew the consequences and didn't change my mind its the Don next week so i think its back to fishing for Bits. To be Honest i didn't enjoy the day and in the future i will fish with Maggot, caster and hemp.

The weather was fine but with a bit of a breeze, i had to put 30z of led on and it was still bouncing down the river.

Pine Lakes Thorne Doncaster 29/07/2007

2007-07-29T08:31:00.000+01:00

This was the first time we had fished this lake and i could not find any information out about it at all. The bait i took was meat, sweetcorn, Pellet and maggot but only half a paint of maggot, just in case it was really hard. I set 2 rigs up 1 for the margins and 1 for about 6m out at 7ft deep, but i would set off with the feeder and meat to the island. Time was called and in i went, While the feeder was in i cupped pellet in to the 6m swim and put a bit to either side of me in the margins.

After 20 minutes on the feeder with out a bite i decided to try the margins which i had been feeding regular, but after another 20 minutes i had no signs and decided to go out to my 6m swim i could see that some of the other lads were catching with red maggot so i gave it a go, first drop in i had a small ide and after about 1 hour i reckon i had about 5lb of ide but nothing big, it dried up a little so i went back on the feeder and with in a few minutes got a small carp about 6oz i kept on the feeder for the rest o the match picking up a few more carp but nothing of any size. Time was called and i reckoned i had about 20lb of fish, as it happened i was not far off i ended up with 19lb 7oz to take 4th place the winner had 27lb 2nd was 22lb and 3rd was 21lb 5oz

conditions sunny spells NO RAIN

LodgeFarm 08/07/2007

2007-07-09T07:33:00.000+01:00

With all the rain we were expecting a washout for this match but after speaking to them on the phone the match was to go a head. I drew peg 9, while Richard who had been down and practiced here on Thursday drew peg 34 which was also the golden peg so he had a good chance of taking the lot today. I set up 3 rigs 1 at 6m on the bottom which was about 7ft, 1 which i would just fish up in the water about 2ft but could alter as the day went on, the other rig was for the margins. my baits were sweetcorn hemp pellet mixed up while i used pellet on the hook.

Time was called and out i went with 2 large pots of feed, i also put 1 in the margins but kept feeding it with a few pellets just hoping to get the last hour there. I tried up in the water to see if i could get them going but after 20 minutes i gave it up not even getting a bite so out i went with my deep rig after 1 hour i had not had a fish, While Richard seemed to be getting a few up in the water, i stuck at it feeding sweetcorn, hemp and caster, with 2 hours gone i had not 1 fish in the net and was just about to change to the margin swim when the float went under and i hooked into a decent carp which i landed and put in the keepnet estimated 4lb.

The rain came and i had a good run of carp average size 1lb but i was catching and Richard seemed to slow up a little, then Trevor in the next peg started to get some decent carp, he had 3 which i would have said were 4lb plus within a 45min spell but i kept plugging away with the feed and started to catch again i knew that it was going to be close so i stopped feeding the sweetcorn hemp and caster and just fed a load of pellet i put all my other feed to the side were Trevor was catching hoping to draw them to it, With only 15 minutes on the clock it was very close between Trevor and myself but he seemed to dry up while i was still getting the odd fish i wonder why?

Time was shouted and i knew it was close when they got round to Trevor, Richard was winning the match with 14lb 5oz. Trevor put his fish on the scales and weighed 24lb 4oz, so it was down to me i was the last to be weighed i pulled them out and i could see that i had a load more fish but it was the size that i didn't have i weighted 29lb 5oz to take the win.

Weather condition were windy with heavy shower.

Mallory Park 03/07/2007

2007-07-04T07:16:00.000+01:00

I had an invite to fish a match at Mallory Park and jumped at the chance, After about 1 hour 20mins drive we got there and drew our pegs i drew peg 19. As i had no idea how to fish it, it was a case of just trying different things so i setup 3 pole rigs 1 for the margins 1 for about 8m and the other just off the first shelf which was about 3 sections of my pole. I also set up a bomb with air rigged meat just in case the pole was not producing. I had pellet, corn, meat and hemp as bait i decided to feed the pellet in 1 swim, which was the margin swim and feed hemp and corn to the 8m swim and a mixture of the 3, to the 3 section swim.

Time was called and i went out with the bomb to the far bank, while i potted in to the other swims, within 5 minutes the tip went round and i had my first carp about 1lb, i tried again but didn't want to give it too long as i could see movement on the 3 section swim, 5 minutes past and the tip never moved so out it came and i went on to the 3 section swim with a pellet. I set the rig up so it was just laid on and with in a few minutes a fish came flying out of the water it was a skimmer about 1lb. After i landed it i went back in with the pellet again and got a bite almost immediately but missed it, i put another pellet on and again a bite but missed it. I would get the odd fish but missed quite a few in the first 2 hours so i decided to put a size 18 hook on and fish corn this work almost straight away i hit a fish but pulled out but then had about 8 skimmer on the trot, i was expecting the carp to move in so kept feeding the margin swim and every now and again i would drop in to it just give it 10minutes to see if anything was there but nothing with only 1 hour to go i reckon i had 30lb of silver fish but only 2lb of carp which i not going to get me in to the money as the bloke in the next peg seemed to start catching carp but i kept feeding and finally i hit into a carp about 4lb which gave a great fight but was in the net in again and another carp this was a better fish after 10minutes it was also in the net and an estimated 10lb fish with only 20 minutes i had a few smaller carp but lost a good fish due to the hook been straightened out time was called and i estimated i had about 50lb When they got down to me the highest weight was 28lb and some of the anglers were pretty decent so i was well please when they weighted my catch and tipped the scales at 51lb 7oz even the bloke that weighted in said that i a good net of silvers.

As they got to the corner i was still winning it but i knew that they had been catching up there 85lb 12 was the next weight then next to him 103lb 2oz then 64lb 4oz then 63lb then 6olb and that was it. To say it was the first time i had ever fished it i was quite pleased and didn't know that i had won my section which was a great bonus.

maunside sherwood forest fisheries

2007-07-02T07:26:00.000+01:00

I know that a few matches are missing but at least i put this up. The weather conditions have not been great over the last month and today was no exception with heavy rain forecast through out the day. I decided from the off that i would only fish with the pole today as its only 13m wide, i set off with a large pot of pellet and ground bait to the far bank and put a few pellets down the margins. I was fishing about 2ft to 3ft deep and was on the bottom, i put a 6mm pellet on the hook and shipped out to the far bank with in about 2 minutes i had some indication that fish were in the swim then the float went i had hooked into my first fish a small carp about 1lb after about 2 minutes it was in the net.

out went another pot with groundbait and pellet and in went my pole float, this time i had to wait a bit longer but hit into another fish, because i was only fishing a 8 elastic it dragged me all over the place but i finally managed to get it out again a small carp. I decided to up the elastic so i put a soft 14 on but found that i was pulling out of a few fish so the no 8 went back on.

i went to the same spot and hit a good carp which i played for about 10 minutes before netting it this was about 4lb, i put some more ground bait out and pellet and started to catch small carp again and every now and again i would hit a lump which would take me all over the place with 2 hours to go i had a estimated 30lb of fish but the bites had dried up so i decided to go down the margin and see if i could pick up a few more but nothing carp but nothing i noticed that the next peg was getting the odd fish in the middle of the swim so i decided to give it a go but again no indication at all. with the rain sill coming down i was not looking forward to packing up but then all of a sudden the rain stopped, time was called and the weighing began. Dave Wroe who was next to me had weighed 39lb 2oz which i knew was a better weight than mine then i tipped the scales at 32lb 12oz and the weights seemed to go down until peg 13 which had 51lb 6oz and took the win Dave was 2nd with 39lb 2oz and i was 3rd with 32lb 12oz. i had smashed about 8 rigs in the bushes and knacked 4 floats so the money would at least pay for some new floats.

My Next match is a Tuesday match at Mallory Park I've been looking forward to this for a While i am hoping to smash my personal best of 112lb here.

Lindolme strip 3rd june 2007

2007-06-26T17:43:00.000+01:00

After fishing this pond only a few weeks earlier was not expecting a big weight from this place in fact i was contemplating stopping in bed but then decided to go it was a day fishing and at least a bt of time to make a few rigs up.

I set off with caster down the margin and for the first hour was wishing i had stayed in bed then the fish seemed to just turn on and i had a few golden tench in the net, then i hit a carp which just ragged my rig to bits so i had to set up again. Then i had few decent carp in the margin peg, i could see that the lad across from me was catching up in the air so i decided for the last 40 minutes to have a go first fish was a decent carp then another around 4lb, i wish i had done this a little earlier cos ever time i fired a few casters out i hit into a decent carp. time as called and i weighed 32lb 12oz for third, second was 33lb 2oz and the winner was 36lb. A totally different place from only a few weeks ago, im back on track now so lets hope i can keep the results going.

Lindholme Bonsi lake 19 may 2007

2007-06-26T17:33:00.000+01:00

This match was with Hoyland Angling Club, the wind was very strong and it was almost impossible to fish with the pole so out came the bomb rod with air rigged meat. The first few hours i didn't even have a bite the i ended up catching 3 carp one after the other, not much to report on this match thats because to be honest i forgot but i do remember it was not a big weight that won it 29lb i think but will change when i get the result from bob. i ended up with 12lb i think which was not bad when most of the others didn't catch at all. Ive not updated for a while so the next few wil be pretty short.

Hoskers candy corner 13/05/2007

2007-05-15T08:19:00.000+01:00

Fished hoskers on another wet day i drew peg 17 which was also the golden peg, up until 12oclock i would say i was in full control and getting a stockie every put in, then the rain came down and the bites just disappear, I could see Richard catching but also missing a few fish. I was fishing the pole at 11m to the far bank feeding pellet and corn i also tried the margins with paste and had the odd fish but the bites just dried up for 2 hours i did not even have a bite.

The wining weight was 49lb 2nd was 36lb and 3rd was 34lb i ended up with 20lb and finished 6th on the day a poor result yet again.

Lindholme the strip 12/05/2007

2007-05-15T08:06:00.000+01:00

When we arrived at lindholme it had just started to rain, we had our breakfast and did the draw i drew peg 10. I setup the pole,feeder and pellet waggler hoping i could get something up in the air, then the rain started to get heavy i cant fish under a umbrella i sat it out in the rain time was called and in went the pellet to both sides and 6ms in front then the lightning came and a crack of thunder i pulled in the pole and fished the margins hoping to get something in the edge but nothing.

2 hours later i still had nothing in the net and not even a bite, the rain was still coming down and i was wet through. As the match went on it was becoming clear i was not the only one to not have had a bite 5 or 6 others were in the same position with only 1 hour to go i decided to go on the feeder with 2 red maggots and just sit and wait, thank god it paid off i had a small tench in the net and with 10 minutes to go i had a small carp. I weighed 2lb 14oz and was glad of that to be honest, 5 angler blanked and 2 never had a bite. The winner was 16lb with 12lb 2nd and 6lb 3rd utter shite.

Milton Ponds Hoyland Barnsley

2007-05-15T08:00:00.000+01:00

I am not going to bore you with all the details on this match but i will let you know that i fished the peg i usually fish when having a pleasure session on the pond and always do well i fished 3 swims, 8m in front of me and to both sides in the margins. I ended up with 1lb 14oz and 2 fish the winner was 17lb 6oz and a few blanked. It was not a great match and one i want to forget quickly. The weather conditions were overcast with a light northwesterly wind, i fished pellet and caster.

Wagtail at woodlands Thirsk 15/04/2007

2007-04-18T07:58:00.000+01:00

Woke up this morning and the Sun was just rising, but i knew it was going to be a hot day. Brian Picked me up in his Yellow transit van, then we went for Richard before Getting on to the m1 North bound to thirsk. We got to woodlands and it was packed some qualifier going off so we had to park at the far end of the car park. Before we unpacked we had a breakfast which i must admit was not too bad in fact a massive improvement on last years. We then put our tackle on the barrows and set off to the lake once we got there we started the draw. I drew peg 16 which just looked like all the others to tell the truth, Richard drew peg 18 while Brian drew peg 9 on the opposite side of the lake. I setup the pellet waggler and bomb rod but also put the pole up.

Time was called and in i went with the bomb with hair rigged meat, this gave me time to pot 2 large cups of ground bait in on the long line and a cup of pellet in the margins. with 1 hour gone i had no signs at all on the bomb so the waggler came out. I could see that Richard had been catching on the waggler, so i had to give it a go. In i went i got the catapult out and fired pellet in ever few seconds to try to get them going but noting was happening 20 minutes went by and i decided i was going to have to go on the pole then the waggler went under i struck into it and hit a decent fish, a few minutes later i had a carp in the net about 4lb out i went again but nothing again for a good 30 minutes then a smaller carp.

After that 1 hour went by without anything at all so i went on the pole into the margins with in 10 minutes the pole float was under and i had a decent fish on it took some time before i could get its head up but it was in the net. in again i went and another bite with in a few minutes but this one got away after a about 2 minutes of playing it. after that i had nothing so back on the waggler i went, this time a bite with in a few minutes and i had another fish in the net but it was not what i was expecting, it was a barbel about 2lb and it was a great fight. with not long left i put a few more fish in the net and time was called. I didn't expect anything because i could see Richard had a decent net and i knew Phil in the next peg had to lumps in the last 30 minutes but i decided to weigh, Richard won the match with 32lb Phil was 2nd with 24lb 4oz and Neil was 3rd with 22lb 14oz then it was 2olb 4oz then me with 19lb 4oz.

At the end of the day i was not expecting much from this place, but the weather made it pleasant, and the barbel.

Next match is with Hoyland AC at Milton pond silver fish all the way.

01/04/2007 Candy Corner Hoskers lake

2007-04-02T09:12:00.000+01:00

This was our Salvesen Angling clubs Knock up match and a chance to see all the lads before our club match in 2 weeks. Because i help run the match i got 1 of the other lads to draw my peg to make it fair. Craig drew no14 for me right next to Richard on 15 who i go fishing with most of the year, I also rank Richard as a very good angler and he should be fishing at a higher standard. Anyway back to my blog, Richard called time and i went in with a pot of pellet and corn with a bit of chopped meat. i then went out at about 6m just under a small bridge that crossed the lake. Richard went to the far bank and with in a few minutes had a carp about 2lb then another about the same size in fact within the first 20 minutes he must have put at least 8lb of fish in the net.

I looked on not even having a bite, i then decided to try the margins because i was not having any luck out at 6m, i dropped a few pellets in and then my float within a few seconds it was under i had my pole setup with red hydro so i knew it could handle any fish in the lake, this fish felt a decent size and when i so its head come out of the water i knew it was a big fish, i would have estimated it at 15lb plus it looked at me turn its head and was off i tried to hold it but it even bottomed my red hydro out then i tried to turn it but the hook pulled out. This happened with the next four fish so i knew that i was in for a good day by this time Richard had seen me in the margins and decided to give it a go but without any luck . I then caught my first fish which was about 6lb on worm and caster and continued to catch for about 2 hours then it went dead. I could see other catching and i expected coming about 3rd as Pete across from me seemed to have some big carp in the last few hour. Richard was just about to call time when he hit in to a big carp then he shout time which gave him 20 minutes to land the fish 10 minutes later it was in the next which put him right back in the frame. when it came to the weights, Pete had 24lb which real surprised me because he seemed to have caught a lot more Richard weighed 28lb 4oz and then it was my turn i expected about 30lb and was well please when they hit the scales at 46lb 12oz the best weight off hoskers this year so far with only a few more to put the fish on the scales everybody was saying 1st and 2nd for me and Richard but Phil Hill surprised us all with 31lb to take 2nd spot.
So i am off to a flyer lets hope my luck continues in 2 weeks time when we are at woodland.

weather conditions were warm but windy .

31/03/2007 Candy Corner Ajs lake

2007-04-02T08:54:00.000+01:00

when we got to Candy Corner the weather conditions looked perfect and we all were expecting a good match i drew peg 16 which won the midweek match Jamie drew peg 5 which had done nothing all season . I got to my peg and knew that i would not be able to fish the bomb because i was enclosed in the bay and had no where to throw. Time was called and i went out about 8m to a small island dropped a pot of pellet and corn then went over it with pellet on the hook.

20minutes went by without any indication so i started to feed the margin peg the just has i was about to bring it in the float went under, i small roach about 4oz. So i decided to just keep feeding the margins and continue out at 8m a few minutes later under went the float this time it felt a better fish but not a carp, it was a bream about 2lb i then thought if these are here i could end up with a decent weight so i put another pot of pellet and corn out hoping to keep the bream in my swim. nothing then for above 1 hour so i went into the margins and latched into a carp but lost it under the small island.

I went back into the margins but noting was happening and by this time i was starting to struggle, so i went back out to the 8m line and sat and waited i was getting little dips of the float but nothing was there. Then i started to catch small roach about 2oz, then the stockies seemed to come and move off the roach but these were tiny. Time was called and i could only see what the next peg had caught so i decided to weigh in. I ended up with 11lb 4oz which to be was not a bad weight, Jamie ended up with 15lb 1st was 28lb 10oz 2nd was 28lb 4oz 3rd was 26lb 12oz never mind it back here tomorrow for our club knock up on hoskers lake.

Cany Coner 24/03/2007

2007-03-25T12:06:00.000+01:00

Candy corner as not been fishing very well of late so not much was expected today i drew my peg which to be honest was not a bad draw peg 34 Jamie drew Peg 29 which again was not a bad draw. Time was called and out i went with the bomb, but because this was a pole peg i only put it out while i potted in to 2 swims, one in front of me at about 8m and the other in the margins just on the off chance some carp had started to move in.

Nothing happened on the tip so i went out to my first swim with pellet, by the way i had put pellet and corn out with the pot. within a few second i had i small roach then a gudgeon then another gudgeon, within 10 minutes i must have got 20 fish in the net all adding up to about 6oz to try and stop the smaller fish i put 3 pots of pellet and cone in, which i hoped would drive the smaller fish away, but all it did was make the swim go dead. With only a hour to go i hit into a nice bream about 5lb then a few small carp final i seem to have got them coming but it was too late. I knew that i had no chance as the other bank had been catching all day and some big carp had come out i didnt weight but would have estimated my catch to be about 17lb.

The winner was in the next peg but had a 20min spell on the bomb where he put 30lb of carp in the net, 3 right lumps. second and third came from the other bank.

Candy Corner 18/03/2007 open

2007-03-20T08:37:00.000Z

The reason no updates have been put up is because I've been on holiday for 2 weeks but I'm back now and refreshed.

I picked Jamie up and set off to candy corner i was full of cold after spending 2 weeks in the Florida sun and coming back to to snow and rain but i wanted to get right back into the fishing. I drew peg 4 and jamie drew peg 20 when i got to the peg i was alright but as soon as i sat down my head started to bang and my nose would not stop running "in other words i felt crap". The wind was gale force and i was struggling to hit the island with the bomb and hair rigged meat so i decided to go on the pole in the margins with in the first 10 minutes i had a small carp about 6oz then another, then the wind changed direction and i stopped catching. I then decided to give the bomb another go and my first cast was right on the button, i left it for about 15 minutes and the tip ripped round this time it felt like a decent carp. A few minutes later i had a 6lbish common in the net. I went back out again but the wind had altered its direction again and i found myself about 10ft away from the spot i had just been in, so back on the pole until the wind dropped.

All i could do was go down the margin the wind was so strong, but i was picking the odd roach and skimmer up so it was alright. When time was called i reckoned i had about 17lb of fish i knew that the far bank had better weights because they were shelted from the wind, i could here Colin shout out 36lb then 32lb so i knew i was not even going to get a place so my fish went back Jamie had done the same due to the wind and he decided to also put his fish back. Lets hope the weather and my flu improve because i don't think i could do another session feeling like i did this weekend.

Candy Corner 10/02/2007

2007-02-12T08:05:00.000Z

Before i start this blog i would like to pass on my condolences to Terry Chapmans family Terry turned up for the match at candy corner on Saturday in terrible conditions and even had a laugh with us saying we must all be mad to be fishing in this, then after the draw decided not to fish due to him not feeling well and later we found out that he had died. Its a sad loss to fishing and he will be missed at Candy Corner.

With only 10 turning out due to the snow and rain we all knew that the match was going to be difficult. The golden peg was drawn and Trevor shouts out peg 4 then Jamie drew and almost tripped as he run to his peg yes you guest it peg 4. I drew and was disappointed again that i had not drawn a decent peg but what the hell i was here so i would fish it. I set off with corn and the bomb to the islands corner but never had a knock after about 1 hour. i decided to try the meat in it went and with the weather been so bad i decided to leave it a little longer than i normally would, just has i was about to pull it back in the tip ripped round and i was in to my first carp a few minutes later it was in the landing net.

I went out again to the same spot and waited again this time nothing so i came a little closer in and the tip would not stay still, liners were driving me crazy so i took the bait off and popped up the meat put it as near as possible to the same place and waited again, 5 minutes later the tip ripped around again another carp but this time i pulled out of it. I knew that the fish were there it was just a case of getting them out i went back in with the popped up meat and again within 5 minutes i had another carp in the net . I knew that i would not win the match but to get a place would be a great result today so i stuck with the popped up meat and it paid off another carp in the net, that was 3 carp for about 15lb and with only minutes left i hit another this time it felt a little better and i took my time getting it in because i knew i needed this fish for a place, yes in the net it went. I fished up with 23lb 8oz for 3rd place 2nd was 37lb and the winner was 39lb.

Candy Corner 03/02/2007

2007-02-12T07:47:00.000Z

Candy Corner over the last few months as not been fishing that well but the lads that turn up every week are a good bunch and we always have a laugh and a joke. Any back to business Trev drew 33 for the golden peg and the way things were going it had as much chance of winning as any other peg. I went in to the bag and drew peg 5 and was almost contemplating suicide, but Jamie had drawn peg 14 which had been fishing fair over the past few weeks. I set off with meat hair rigged to a small bomb just hoping that one or two fish would be in the area but as i predicted not a sigh after 2 hours so i went on the pole hoping to pick up a few skimmers the first hour went by with out even a touch then i went in the margin just to see if i could get a stockie of a roach in fact i would have settled for anything. Nothing again so i went back on the long pole 12 m to be precise and got a dip within a few minutes, it was a small roach about 6oz then another one this time about 1lb, but to be honest it was too late i then pickup a bream just the time was called i emptied my net and waited to see what Jamie had done. All i could here was Jamie saying its a shit peg, so that was that the winner was on peg 20 with 32lb 5oz of stockies. I have only 1 match left before i go on Holiday "thank god".

Candy Corner 127/01/2007 open

2007-01-29T08:23:00.000Z

It was a cold morning and most of the lakes were frozen but Candy Corner was alright, this brought Anglers who normally fished other venues to Candy and with 10 minutes to go people were been turned away because the lake was full. I went into the draw bag and pulled out peg 42 and i knew it was going to be a difficult day Jamie drew peg 21 the peg i drew the week before so i told him about the snags and how i approached the peg.

I set off in the margins hoping to pick up a few fish but never had a bite i also fed 2 other lines 1 at 6m and 1 at 11m so had a few places to go if fish were not having any of it. 4 hours went by with not even a bite so i decided it was shit or bust and put double corn on and put the bomb out, peg 42 is in a bit of a bay so i could not put it to a island, then i sat and waited with 20 minutes to go i got a little movement in the tip so i decided to try and hit it "Yes" i shouted i could feel a fish a roach about 1lb that was it. Time was called Jamie was at my peg with all of his tackle ready to go with not a good word to say about the peg in other words he did not even have a bite.

Candy Corner 20/01/2007

2007-01-24T12:59:00.000Z

When i got up this morning it was cold but the wind had dropped, i got my stuff in the car and went to pickup Jamie. When we got to candy Corner the wind was just starting to pickup but was still alright for fishing. Then the draw was made and as by magic the wind was gale force i drew peg 20 and Jamie drew peg 30, the gold peg was peg 31 so everybody expected it to go because peg 30 and 31 alway seem to get the lumps.

Anyway i set off with the bomb and hair rigged meat but could not seem to get the bomb to drop in the same place so i decide to try the pole i could see others catching but could not tell how big the fish were. I put out the pole and fed a few 4mm pellets with a 4mm pellet on the hook nothing happen for about 1 hour then i started to pick up a few stockies, it then went dead for about 1 hour so i decided to give the bomb another go, what a waste of time that turned out to be the wind just took the bomb and i never seemed to hit the same place so i went on the pole again. While it was windy the pole took some holding but it was a lot better than trying to fish the bomb.

I started to get better bites and Skimmers started to show so i put a bed of pellet down and sat and waited the skimmers kept coming but not regular, in the end i weighed 10lb 4oz , Jamie ended up with 2 fish for 10lb 9oz. The winner was on peg 3 with 23lb 2nd was peg 28 with 22lb and 3rd 21lb 2oz on peg 34.

Candy Corner 13/01/2007 open

2007-01-15T08:02:00.000Z

What a day (Not) Gale force winds, Rain and not even a bite all day not much more to add. I drew peg 12 and fished the bomb, with meat corn and pellet it was a total Nightmare. 17lb won it 15lb 2nd and 9lb 3rd.

06/01/2007 Candy corner

2007-01-08T07:50:00.000Z

Its back to normal now after the Christmas holidays and i was looking forward to Candy Corner this morning. I picked Jamie up and set off. It was about 8am when we got there and people were just starting to turn up so we knew that the place would be packed. The golden peg was drawn and a shout of 27 was echoed around the caravan, I drew peg 32 which never seemed to produce many fish.

I setup the pole because i knew that my best chance of getting in the money today would be to go for silver fish, i put 2 pots of pellets out with a few pieces of corn to attract bream or a few carp in the peg i used 4mm pellet on the hook and sat and waited. Two hours later i had my first bite a roach about 1oz then i waited another 1 before my next fish this time it was a bream at about 1lb then another with in a few minutes "Yes there here" was my first thought how wrong i was, it was not until the last 20mins that i started to catch regular with roach and skimmers and the odd stockie coming to the net.

I weighed 7lb 3oz and knew it was no good, Jamie had 1 fish for 9lb and won his section, so it just down to the peg. 17lb won the match which is very poor for Candy corner but this is what fishing is all about trying to put things right the week after you've had a poor match.

30th December 2006 Candy Corner

2006-12-31T14:46:00.000Z

I set off to Candy Corner this morning not really up for it, the rain was coming down and the wind was starting to get up. I took an extra £5 for some breakfast and decided I would call off at a café on the way as i got to the café i noticed that itwas not lit up as i got closer i the relised it was closed. "THATS ABOUT HOW MY DAY WAS GOING"

When I finally got to Candy Corner I was contemplating coming back the wind was so bad and the rain was very heavy but I saw Dave the owner and had a drink of tea and a chat then decided to stay. I dipped my nets and waited for the others to turn up by this time the rain had stopped and it looked like the sun was going to come out.

The golden peg was drawn by Trevor and a shout of number 23 was echoed around, then I drew my peg no 3 its unbelievable in the summer its by far the best peg on the lake and I can never draw it, but in winter I seem to be on it every other week. I knew that the carp had moved from the margins, so I decided to hit the island with a bomb and meat and with the conditions getting a little better I would be able to pick up a few fish.

Time was shouted and in I went with a size 14 hook and hair rigged meat, I knew I had to sit and wait but within 15minutes I was putting a small carp in the net, i went back out to the same spot and another 15 minute wait for another carp this time it was about 6lb in total I had 8 carp with only a few minutes left I hit into another fish time was called so I called out fish on, after about 5 minutes it was in my landing net another fish about 6lb.

It came to the weighing and I knew that I had a good chance of winning; I knew Steve Wright had been catching all day but when he weighed in with 27lb I really thought i had a good chance of winning it with the fish i put in my net, when they got round to me, Steve came over and said well done you’ve pissed it. What a shock when I only weighed 24lb 12oz I knew as soon as I pulled the net out of the water I had not got what I thought, it just goes to show its very difficult to estimate the weights, I went over to Steve and said well done mate, even then he was shocked that he had won, he said I saw you catching and thought you had about 40lb. To be honest I was happy with second I was not expecting that the way the day started. I hope you all have a wonderful and very prosperous New Year and Best Wishes to Mick and Chris in Turkey.

23rd December 2006 Candy Corner

2006-12-31T14:40:00.000Z

Fished Candy Corner 23^rd December and it was the worst its ever fished I had 1 bite all day for a skimmer that weighed about 1lb Jamie didn’t fish because he had his arm in a pot to sort out a problem he had been having. I drew peg five and the wind prevented me fishing the pole so it was a bomb to the island with meat and corn, hard times at candy.

Cany Coner 16/12/2006

2006-12-17T10:58:00.000Z

At the moment the weather is all over the place and to be honest I expected wind and rain this morning but there was no wind or rain. I picked Jamie up and set off to Candy hoping it would be a good turn out this week because the weights had dropped over the last month. 18 angler turned out which was a bit disappointing.

Anyway back to the match, the draw was made I drew peg 14 which was known as a silver fish peg normally this time of the year and Jamie drew peg 30 which was a really good draw but it was a bomb and meat job. The match started and i went out with the bomb to a small island just in front of me with a bigger than normal piece of meat after 20 minutes I brought it in because I had no indication at all.

I then went on the pole in the margins and within a few seconds i had a stockie out, the next 9 times I put the pole out produced a small but hard fighting stockie. I was using pellet on the hook and feeding pellet and corn through a kinder pot, the fish I had in the net were not big fish but they kept coming which was great sport. I then decided to switch from the left side because the bites seemed to be drying up a little. I did the same on the right except I put 2 micro pellets on the hook the float sailed under but this time it was a big carp the red hydro shot out of the pole and I almost lost it under a small island in the edge but just managed to turn it after a few minutes it was in the net as I went to remove the hook I could see it was only just in the top lip but they all count.

I then moved back to the left and picked up a few more stockies before time was called, Trevor came down and said that I should win this but i was unsure because peg 20 had been catching. I weighed 23lb 12oz for the win. Peg 20 had 16lb 8oz and peg 10 had 20lb 4oz. Jamie weighed 8lb with 1 large carp but the fishing was hard all around the lake and a few anglers had dry nets. Next week is Christmas but i think that Trevor is running a match on Saturday 23rd so i reckon that will be the last one until after the holidays unless something changes. I hope you all have a great Christmas and a happy new Year.

Candy Corner 09/12/2006

2006-12-10T13:39:00.000Z

We set off to Candy with at least a break in the weather, the last week or so as just been so bad with strong winds and rain. Driving there we both noticed a frost and we both knew it would be difficult day yet again. The golden peg was drawn No7, so it was not going to be 3rd week on the trot for peg 3. I drew peg 12 and was felt a bit of relief, i setup 2 tip rods 1 for the bomb and 1 with the maggot feeder. Time was called and in i went with the bomb with luncheon meat a yard short of the island, the tip never moved so i pulled it in and checked my meat. This time i put 2 pieces of meat on and fired a few freebies, within 10 minutes the tip dragged round and i was in to a large fish, it took off and i managed to turn it and got it coming back towards me en another run took it the the next peg Carl who was in that peg shouted down take your time because it looks like a 20lb, i knew it was a big carp the way it took off the after about five minutes of playing it i got its head up but this must have woke it up because with another run the fish had gone " F****** Hell " was the shout. I put some more meat on the hair rig and went back out, but noting i looked around and i knew nothing was been caught so decided to change to the maggot feeder. After about 15 minutes without even a tap i decided to go back out with the bomb and the meat for the rest of the match with only minutes to go my tip swung round and i hit into another fish this time i had it in the net with in a few seconds because it was only a skimmer. time was called and i decided it was a waste of time to weight so put it back. Jamie was second with 17lb 8oz and the winner was a few pegs down with 17lb 10oz looks like a long week again but it will soon be Christmas and a welcome break from work.

Candy Corner 02.12.2006

2006-12-05T08:14:00.000Z

Got up this morning looked out of the window and it looked great no gale force winds and no rain. I made my flask and got all my bait out of the fridge and put it in to my cool bag I then loaded up the car and set off for Jamie. Once loaded up we started to chat about what went wrong last week not coming to any real conclusion as to why it was so poor.

We got to Candy Corner and started to eat our bacon sausage and egg sandwich which James wife makes for us. Then we dipped our nets paid our money and waited for the draw. Trevor then got someone to pull out the golden peg and again it was peg 3, Jamie drew his peg and said its going to be another hard day Geoff I then drew and could not believe it peg 3 again I thought its got to be better than last week and ran up to the car to shouts of golden bollocks.

After the disaster of the week before I decided to spend about 1 hour in the margins just to see if I could pick up any stockies and would then go out to the island with the bomb and sit and wait for the bites. I put only a small pot of pellet in the edge and then went and dropped my rig in, 1 hour went by with not even a sign. So that was it, I decided to try the bomb to the island nothing was happening and the time was just ticking away then at 1.15pm the tip swung round and I had a fish “Thank the lord” it didn’t take me long to get the fish in the keepnet and with a estimated weight of 4lb I really though this was it I would start to get a few more, how wrong I was with only 30 minutes left I decided to go back on my pole line which I had been feeding all day. I dropped the float in and within 1 minute it was under a stockie was then put in the net. The last 30 minutes I put 7 more in to the net. I ended up with 11lb and was about to put them back when I could see no one on the other bank had there nets in the water so I decided to weigh. I ended up 3rd and 2nd only won me with 1oz. Jamie won the match with 40lb so we ended up with a good pay out.

Candy Corner 25/11/2006

2006-11-26T13:37:00.000Z

It seems to take ages to come around to Saturday and the pleasure of fishing at Candy Corner but here we are again. The weather forecast as given out severe weather conditions "Strong winds and loads of rain but not to be put off by this I get my tackle ready and go to pickup Jamie.

The driver to Candy Corner was alright until we got to bawtry and you could see that it had rained all night all the roads to Candy were flooded and we were expecting a lot more rain and strong winds. We got their and the turn out was a lot better than the week before with about 26 anglers waiting for the draw. Trevor then pulled out the golden peg which is £100 per match donated by the owner Dave; Trevor shout out the golden peg is number 3 which I think is one of the best pegs on the lake. Then we started to draw Jamie drew peg 30 which is a very good draw and always does well then i went in and drew peg 3 i ran to the peg not believing my luck. Time was called and I put 1 cup of pellets out at 6meters and while the fish were getting confident I went out to the island with a small bomb and meat, after 20 minutes without even a tap I retrieved the bomb and went to my pole line I had to wait about 30 minutes or my first bite which was a carp about 3lb then nothing for ages so I put another pot of pellet in to the swim.

By this time I was getting desperate and decided to mix some paste swim stim green with a small amount of fish meal and put this in the swim nothing again for ages, then the wind got up and the rain started to come down. The wind was blowing straight in my face and with the rain hitting me I started to get cold, I never take a brollie for the simple reason they seem to restrict me when I am fish so it was just on with the big coat. The pole line came in and the bomb went back out , the tip swung round and I had another carp in the net, after about 30 minutes of rain it just stopped and the sun came out so I went back on the pole first drop in brought a bream then a small ghost carp then another small carp I knew that I needed a couple of bigger fish to win the match so for the last hour I decided put a large piece of meat on the hook and sit and wait , I started to break down my rigs and the tip dragged of the rest this carp felt a decent fish once in the net i estimated it to be about 5lb which was not what I expected I’ve had fish at 15lb that did not fight that hard. That was it the match was over and I knew I had not got the weight required in other words I blew it. I weighed in at 17lb 8oz the winner was 32lb 10oz I didn’t even get in the money. Its kick yourself time when I get home why didn’t I get the larger fish, I honestly don’t know.

Candy Corner 18/11/2006

2006-11-20T08:42:00.000Z

Driving to Candy Corner We both noticed that the tempture was about 4 degrees lower and that they had a heavy frost that morning. So we were expecting a few not to turn out when we got there, with only 15 turning up pegging would be a little better but we had a few plesure anglers in peg 19,20 and 21 and Trevor put 22 in the bag so who ever drew that peg would have to work round them. Anyway i drew my peg you guested it peg 22, but that was not a problem for me i at least had a island to throw to which i was hoping for. Time was called and i put a small cube of meat on the hair rig with a size 14 b911 hook throw out to the island and then poured myself a coffee. 20 minutes later i pulled it in not even a tap. I tried again but this time with corn again another coffee and another wait again no end product, this went on for 2 hours so then i decided to have a go with the pole.

The first drop in at 8m i got a skimmer and then nothing for 1 hour i dropped it in the edge just to see if any fish were there but i had no signs. I decided that to stand any chance of winning the match i would need a couple of big fish so went out on the bomb again with the maggot just to see if anything was out there 5 minutes went by and then i got the smallest of tap so i just went for it "yes finally " a small carp about 2lb, i did the same again and ended up with another 8 fish for 7lb 60z the winning weight was 22lb 4oz . Its been getting hard but now the fish seem to be moving out into deeper water so once they settle i reckon the weights will start to rise. Jamie my Partner came 2nd with 20lb 2oz so we ended up with a little bit of cash. Well done to Him because it was really hard fishing.

Candy Corner 11/11/2006 open

2006-11-12T09:43:00.000Z

When we got to candy corner the water was flat but the forecast was for heavy wind and rain so from the off no mater what peg i drew i knew it was going to b a hard match. Only 20 turned out due to the weather so some of the poorer pegs were left out thank god, Jamie my fishing partner drew peg 30 which is a really good draw in better condition but to day i knew he would struggle i drew 25 which i not the worst of draws but it rarly in the money. My plan was to go with the bomb and hair rigged meat for the first hour but feed the margins just to try and pick up few stockies.

Time was called and i went to the island with ome de-flavoured meat just o see if it would pick up anything 20 minutes later i pulled it in and tried another spot but not a tap, i tried to the other side and still no results the wind by this time was gale force and difficult to hit the same spot but i did'nt do too bad. After 2 hours i decided to give it a rest and have 1 hour in the margins which i had kept feeding througho

ut the day. Again this was very difficult in the windy conditions.

Just has i was about to go bck on the bomb the float sailed under, it was a stockie of about 6oz another hour went by with nothng, so i decided to go back on the bomb i hit the same spot i was in before and within 5 minutes the tip went banging round i landed the fish within a minute a carp about 3 lb then i went back in with the meat and another pull round and another carp was in the net i kept hitting the same spot until the bites had dried up then moved to the other side of the island but only had 1bite and 1 fish. in total i had 5 carp and a roach. i was not gong to weight in but could not see what any of the others had done so decided to put the fish on the scales, my weight wa 9lb 4oz nothing to come but jamie who i share with came 2nd with 25lb.

The top picture is the margin swim i fished the middle picture is my partner on the right Jamie Hamer , on the left Kev flinders, and the bottom is just a shot of my rod just before a bite.

Candy Corner 04/11/2006 open

2006-11-05T18:27:00.000Z

Got to Candy Corner and it was freezing but the sky was clear and no rain was expected. I drew my peg 33 and i knew i was going to be a struggle. i set off feeding 3 swims 1 at 10m, 1 at 6m and the other in the margins, the main swim was going to be at 10m due to the drop in tempture, i put a ball of ground bait in and pellets in the other 2 swim while i did this i put the bomb out to a small island and left it for 10 minutes with not even a liner.

I brought it in and went out to my 10m line with maggot and sat and waited but nothing was happening. After about 1 hour of nothing i decided to try in the margin but this time with pellet. again i sat and waited just putting a few pellets in to try and pull the fish to the feed but nothing wass happening. I then tried the other swim and put a few pellets in and the float went under but i missed the bite i tried again and got a bream out, with only 1 hour left it was getting desprate i kept at it and pull another 4 bream out 1 roach and that was it i decided it was not worth weighting and put the fish back.

The weather as turned now and the fish seem to be moving out so i reckon another week and it will be the bomb to a island with meat or corn. I keep saying i will put some photos up but never take any but i promise next week i will so keep your eye peeled.

28/10/2006 candy corner open

2006-11-01T08:09:00.000Z

I got to Candy corner and the place was flat calm, but the forecast was due to change all that later in the day with wind and rain. I drew peg 23 and was quite pleased, when i got to my peg i got the margin pole out and 3 rigs, 1 for the margin to my left which also had a lilies the other was to my right which i knew was a deeper swim and the 3rd was at 6m in front. I also got the bomb rod ready just in case bites were hard in the margins. The match started and while i put a couple of pot out i put the bomb to the island in front for 15 minutes, i never even had a tap so this came in and got put to the side then i hit the right hand side margin. within 10 minutes i had 6 small stockies on pellet.

I should have stuck to the stockies but could see that 2 pegs up was hitting a few big carp so i decided to have a go with the paste to try and get the bigger fish to feed. After only i few dips of the float i got a carp about 4lb, which gave a great fight then i started to get very strange bites and knew that these were little fish just pecking at the paste. I changed back to the pellet and got a few more stockies but left it too later to compete for the top 3 spots i weighted in 21lb 12oz. which was not a great return for the peg. The only good thing was that my mate Jamie won the Match with 57lb, so i got a share of the prize money.

If my posts are a bit late it due to getting rid of my pc at home but i will be buying a laptop in the near future so things will be back to normal.

Mick i hope you've got your fireworks ready speak to you soon.

Candy Corner 21/10/2006

2006-10-26T14:51:00.000+01:00

When i got to candy corner the wind was blowing and the rain was coming down in buckets so i was not expecting a good match and i had left my maggots in the fridge. I drew peg 2 which ive never done a thing off so i knew it was going to be hard.

Got my margin pole out and i fished in the margins not a bite until 2pm which i landed, it was a bream about 2lb then not a single knock the rest of the match. I went out with the bomb to see if i could pick up a carp but nothing at all. i fished sweet corn pellet and paste in the margins and wish i had not forgotten my maggots

2006-10-15T15:10:00.000+01:00

This is the first Match in the winter calender at Candy Corner, but because of the opens ive fished here over the last year i had a good idea of how to fish the place which is an advantage the draw was a 9am until 4pm.I drew peg 5 which is not known for been a winning peg but i still had a chance of been in the top 3, i setup the bomb so i could chuck to the island with meat or corn but planned on fishing the margins with pellet and paste. the first 1hour only produced 1 fish which was a bream about 2lb so i fed in front of my peg at about 4m out and hit a carp almost from the off then i hit a bigger carp about 10 minutes later it was in the net estimated size about 7lb after that the peg went dead so i went back in the margin peg and finally started to get a few decent carp i could see peg 23 was catching some big fish and i heard someone say that 19 was already up to about 50lb so i knew i had to up the pace of fish i was catching unfortunately this was not going to happen.

I had to wait for the bite but still fancied my chance of a top 3 finish with only 1 hour to go i changed back to the swim in front but put meat on the hook this was defiantly a good move and i had about 30lb in the last hour. I ended up weighing 52lb 8oz for 3rd place while peg 19 won with 92lb and peg 23 finished up with 73lb. the weather conditions were bright with no wind making it difficult on the side i was fishing but i honestly think the weight i got out was the best weight i could have in that swim.

Candy Corner Open match 10/10/2006

2006-10-12T13:16:00.000+01:00

At Candy Corner in Wroot Doncaster for the open today i fished it last week and drew a poor peg but was looking forward to a decent draw today. I went in the bag and drew the same peg as last week which was peg 19 in the bay so to be honest did not expect anything from the peg today.

I set off with pellet at about 6m just behind some lillies i got a dip within a few seconds of putting in and a good fight from a carp about 3lb i then cupped 2 large cups of pellet and corn in the same spot and tried the margin this was not rewarding in anyway not even a nibble on the pellet. i went back out to the swim i had just put 2 large cups of pellet and corn in and got a few dips but nothing to call anything. 2 hours had gone and all i had was 1 carp so i decided to switch sides and move to the left and side fishing on the bottom which was about 18 Inches deep i put the paste on and with in a minute i could tell that the fish were here a few taps and then under like a rocket. I hit the fish and played it for about 10 minutes not realising i had foul hooked it when it came to the top it was in the tail but the fish was about 12lb so thats why i took my time with it. once in the net i put a few pellets in and dropped the paste in again under again this time it was a smaller fish but still a good one. this carried on with the occasional fish been lost but a decent weight been put in the net. Time was called and i weighed 48lb 12oz which won me the match. Thats 2 on the trott with the paste and again the pegs that usually win it had poor weights.

Candy Corner 08/10/2006

2006-10-09T16:08:00.000+01:00

Its been a long time since my last update but that's been mostly due to work, anyway back to the fishing. Our last club Match was at Candy Corner and the weather conditions were fine with occasional showers. The Draw was made and I drew out peg 11, its not a bad peg but at the same time its as not been pulling in big weights.

I started off with the feeder just while I put some bait in the margins with my cupping kit, I had no early indication so I moved in to the margins with a lump of paste on the hook. This paid off almost straight away with a small carp I then put another pot of bait in and dropped the paste in again again the float jumped up and down for a few seconds the BANG under it went this time it was a better carp and the red hydro came out. I then started to catch fish after fish on the paste and by 1pm I had about 30lb in the net then a bit of a lull for 1 hour so I went out with the bomb with a lump of meat 5 mins later it almost ripped the rod out of my hand. It set off with such speed I did not think I could stop it then it just went solid thinking I had snagged up I started to put a bit of pressure on it then it set off again this time the line just gave in and a big fish was lost.

After that I went back in the margins and started to pick up a few stockies again on the paste the time was called. The pegs that have been winning the matches at candy "peg 3 and 14" produced good weights but not what you would expect peg 6 was winning the match with 32lb 10oz until it came to me then I pulled out my net and put 40lb 8oz on the scale. This was not to be beaten on any other peg so I was quite pleased to get back to the form i knew I was capable of.

Because all the club matches are now over I have decided to fish Candy Corners open matches so I will keep posting to let you know how I've gone on.

Lindholme match

2006-09-20T07:51:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the late update but I've been busy at work so not had much time, anyway back to lindholme i drew peg 60 on the bonsi which to be honest did not look any different to any other peg my plan of attack was to fish chopped worm and caster at about 11m and pellet and corn at about 3m. The first hour i fished the chopped worm swim with not even a pull so i moved to my second line and within 1 minute i had a F1 i fed and had a few more then it went dead so i moved back to the chopped worm again 25minutes of this and i pull it out and broke it down, i then tried sweetcorn in the edge and hit another f1 then another so i stuck it out in the edge with the corn. When the corn went dead i switched to the pellet and kept them feeding but missing loads of bites in the end i fished up with about 12lb which was disappointing but it was nice to have a change from catching the lumps all day.

Lindolme 10/09/2006

2006-09-08T14:13:00.000+01:00

Its about time i updated my blog so here goes I've not fished in any matches for a few weeks but have pleasure fished a few venues tried Candy Corner and caught 54 Carp average weight about 7lb so work that out thats 378lb and been honest i lost about 6 or seven good fish the biggest i would estimate at about 14lb . i can honestly say that, that was the best ever day I've had fishing. Back to lindolme nr Donacster its a great venue and the bloke that runs it is a great bloke but its got a bit clickie and i don't like to see that but the match should be a good one hopefully I've got over the last few matches and can start again i know i can fish better than the last 2. Anyway keep an eye out for the next update.

Hayfield lakes Doncaster 13/08/2006

2006-08-14T08:02:00.000+01:00

Well it’s getting a bit embarrassing now I fished hayfield and really expected a good weight, the conditioned were not very good with it been very windy and rain blowing in my face but I expected to still do well. I drew peg 40 which seemed alright, and fed pellet and corn, 2 big pots going in from the off then fishing paste over it.

I hit a carp in the first minute and pulled it to the net then a roach I thought its going to be a good day to day then nothing the rain came down very heavy and it was difficult to hold the pole. I then changed tack-tics and went out with the feeder nothing. I need to have a good look at what I am doing because somethings going wrong and I do not know what it is. I ended up with 4lb 120z what a waste of a day. By the way 36lb won the match.

Fiskerton on the trent

2006-08-07T07:38:00.000+01:00

Fished at Fiskerton at the weekend, gin clear no flow and a very poor day the winning weight was 4lb 6oz. I fished the halibut pellet until the last hour and did not have 1 bite, as soon has i changed to the maggot i got a small roach, then a perch then 2 more roach. I then hit a barbel or a carp not really sure as it was lost within about 30 seconds of hitting it and that was the day over, i ended up with nothing because i put them back. The only good thing about the day is that i was sat in my new korum chair and it was so nice at the end of the day to come away with out my back hurting. next week its hayfield at Doncaster famous for fishomania.

Milton Ponds Hoyland Barnsley 29/07/2006

2006-07-31T07:48:00.000+01:00

I arrived at the pond at 7.30 to have a quick look around, then at 8.00 i drew my peg which was number 5. I setup just fishing free line with a number 6 elastic and a small stile about 6inch away from the hook. I started to catch as soon has i put in only, little roach but i was catching this went on for a good hour. Then the wind got up and i had to change my tactics so i went in the edge with the pole but only picking up the odd fish. I even tried the feeder but it was just not happening, it funny how you can go and practice on a venue and do so well then when the match starts it all goes to cock. Anyway i ended up with 5lb 14oz for 6th the winner had 1 fish 18lb which he caught on the pole and played it for 40 mins. I must admit it was enjoyable catching so many fish for a change. Next week its the rivers and Fiskerton which is now known for its sit and wait method big halibut pellet.

Milton Ponds Hoyland Barnsley pratice

2006-07-25T07:49:00.001+01:00

Going to have a few hour on Milton this week so hopefully i will be able to put the woodlands weekend behind me. It funny really i was down a little after fishing the dragonfly and losing loads of fish but will try and put that right the next time we fish it.

woodlands weekend matches

2006-07-24T08:01:00.000+01:00

Got to woodland at 8 o’clock on the Friday morning and went for breakfast in the café on the site at woodlands what a load of garbage. £5.95 and it was shite. Anyway our first match was on the mallard, I drew peg 15 which to be honest is not a bad peg. I setup with the ground bait feeder and paste and the pole as backup, first chuck in I had a carp about 1lb and it gave me a right fight. I carried on catching steady all the way through until 1pm them it just went dead so I tried the pole nothing for 1 hour, so I put it to one side and went back on the feeder using the same method I had a few more fish then time was called. I weighted 16lb 12oz for 4th the winner was 32lb 6oz. The second match was on the dragonfly and everyone knew this was a feeder venue; again I used paste with a very small feeder on peg 14, I had bite after bite and lost I reckon about 70lb of fish I finished up with 32lb 10oz but was so disappointed with myself, as the tip was flying round I would it the fish and then a few seconds later pull out it was unbelievable. The winning weight was 88lb, I came 4th again.

The final day was the dragonfly again this time I drew peg 7, same method as the first day feeder to the channel, again I had a fish within the first minute then another then it went very quite I tried every thing I could to find the fish but nothing this went on for about 1hour, then it just turned back on fish after fish for about 20 to 30 minutes the I lost a good barbel at the net, that was it I went to pot the next 3 fish I pulled out, I started getting liner missing a few fish due to this but I kept plugging away, when time was called I weighed 26lb 2oz for yes you guest it 4th. One thing I’ve learned from this weekend away is that even though I lost a lot of fish I must not let it bother me from listening to all the others they all did the same Ive got to keep plugging away and keep my head up.

Woodlands weekend 21/07/2006

2006-07-11T08:56:00.000+01:00

Well its that time of year again the clubs weekend away, Woodlands at Thrisk is the venue and what a great venue it is. I won the first match last year with 69lb so i am hoping to win at least 1 this year. We have 1 match on the Mallard and 2 on the dragonfly. The club record is 79lb so if all goes well i reckon this year someone will smash it. Going up with the intention of fishing the feeder to the island with paste or meat but i will take some corn just in case.

Lodge Farm 09/07/2006

2006-07-10T08:09:00.000+01:00

Lodge Farm is a well run and well set out venue and its breakfast is spot on, but yes you guested it excuses again i fished crap. The weather played a major part, it was very windy and this spoilt my approach for the day. I ended up fishing the waggler for most of the day when really i should have fished the feeder. The place is a lot better than our weights showed it was just a really windy day that spoilt it, i ended up with 2lb 10oz but the winning weight was 21lb. I just hope we get chance to fish it again next season because i honestly feel a decent weight will come out.

Wentworth Fisheries 01/07/2006

2006-07-03T08:17:00.000+01:00

Wentworth fisheries is set in the middle of woodlands in the village of Wentworth, its a bit like a strip of canal and holds tench,bream,carp,roach, and perch. I drew peg 3 and after looking at the peg was very pleased i fished at about 11m with hemp chopped worm and caster, but only picked up a couple of perch in the first hour i then changed to my second swim which was 4mtrs under a tree again picking up small perch. I tried everything but its just was not happening today all i seemed to catch were perch about 1oz. The end of the match was then upon me i ended up weighting 3lb 10z for god knows how many fish, it was red hot again so this could have had some effect i don't really know. I packed up and rushed back for the football, what more can i say but a very disappointing day in all. Never mind Lodge farm next Sunday.

Elmtree farm Kilnhurst 25/06/2006

2006-06-26T07:48:00.000+01:00

After the disapointment of sherwood i was not expecting much from Elmtree, i drew out the first peg 41, which was just on the edge of the flyers. I set off with the feeder and kept getting little taps , then i got a drop back and a skimmer about 6 oz after about 1 hour i decided to see if i could reach the island with my pole because the lads in 36,37,38 were all catching, these were the flyers. I put out 20metre of pole with a hook lenght of abot 9 inch hair rigged meat, i then pushehed it out and let it float, i picked up the catapult and bang the pole shot round in a curve this was my first fish a carp about 1lb i pushed out again again, picked up the catapult and it went again this time it was a little bigger, the catapult was like having a flask of coffe ever time i picked it up the pole went round. This went on for another 3 fish all about the same weight, then i hit a decent fish but after about 10 miuntes lost it in some reeds. I carried on catching carp and ended up packing up with half an hour left to go because England were playing and i didn't want to miss it. I went round with the scales knowing i had a good chance of winning it but was not sure what the flyers had done.

I got all my stuff in the car ready for the off, then started to weight in, it was looking good not much been caught the lads in the flyers did nothing and it all came done to me could i beat 12 4oz, i got the scales set and pulled out my net 26lb 10oz , this won me the pairs and team. Thank god for the win i was starting to lose a bit of confidence in myself. Its wentworth next another new venue for me ive no idea how to fish it but know that it holds a good stock of tench.

Sherwood 24/06/2006

2006-06-26T07:33:00.000+01:00

I knew it was going to be hard as soon as i got there, we fished a strip which had over hanging trees. All reports said to fish the far bank under the trees with caster and chopped worm or lunceon meat and sweetcorn, so i bought half a kilo of worm and 2 pints of caster and a tin of lunceon meat but totally forgot the sweetcorn. i must have been the first to catch with in 10 minutes then nothing not even a bite for 2 hours, i could see the others starting to catch on corn so i got a hand full from 1 of the lads in the next peg, but still kept feeding chopped worm and caster, then i got a bite struck up and went into the trees.

That was the end of that rig, i setup another and with in a few second it was under again this time i hit the fish but lost in bringing it to the net it was only a small roach. Finally i decided to change the rig to a lighter one which paid dividens with a carp about 1lb, then it was bite after bite but noting connecting only the tree another 2 rigs gone. I put another rig on with a 22 hook on and hit another fish but this was a decent 1 and it snapped me with in a minute, with a new hook length on i dropped in and anoter storm trooper cracked me off. It was so frustrating i geared up and never had another bite i finished up with 2lb 2oz and knew i should have done a lot better.

Double header

2006-06-21T07:37:00.000+01:00

At the weekend I will be fishing Sherwood on the Saturday and Elm tree fisheries on the Sunday. The plan for Sherwood is to fish with chopped worm and caster to the far bank and pellet down the margins, that’s as much has I can say really not fished the lake before not sure which lake it is to be honest. Sunday its Elm tree at kilnhirst, I fished this last year in a practice session had had 15 carp for about 70lb throwing to the islands then on the match I drew the worst peg ever stuck in the corner with no option but to go for the roach. This year I expect better if I do get the corner peg I will go for the roach from the start and forget all about the carp. Any way the baits to use here are caster and pellet but also I will be taking some luncheon meat for the feeder.

Lindholme 17/06/2006

2006-06-17T17:07:00.000+01:00

Got to lindholme and had a great breakfast, unlike the one at risby , then we drew our pegs mine was peg 5. I got setup with the pole and put up the feeder just in case, i got my baits out pellet maggot and caster. The start of the Match was called and i would say within 5minutes i had my first fish a carp about 1lb, a couple of minutes later another 1 around the same weight, then a lull for about 1 hour i was about 6mtrs out fishing the pellet, then i hit into a good fish which took me into the reed and that was the end of that.

The next hour produced 2 more carp about 2lb each, then i hit another good carp which dragged me into the reeed again this time i had no option but to snap the line. After the last fish i decided to get the other pole out with the red hydro if they take me into the reeds i will just drag them out. I setup another rig, nothing for ages the under she went not a big carp but it tried to take me into the reeds, this time i just picked it up and out it came, by this time nothing on the lake was been caught , but i could hear jimmy saying he had about 15lb and paul in the next peg had just started to catch on the top, as for me not another bite all day. Most of the others were starting to pack up with 15minutes to go so you can imagine just how bad it was. I ended up with 6lb 8oz, can you belive that. The weather played a big part in the fishing again the temprature was far too warm.

Next week its Saturday at Sherwood and sunday at elmtree so its a double header.

Lindolme Preview 13/06/2006

2006-06-13T08:40:00.000+01:00

I fished Lindolme last year and ended up with 9lb of fish but i must admit it was the first match i had fished in about 10 years so i will be expecting to do better this time. I fished chopped worm and caster last year and the winner caught on maggot feeder, but i dont think that will win it this year due to the mini heat wave we seem to be having, but time will tell hopefully i will have a few photos from the next match which i think is a place called elmtree farm at kilnurst.

kiverton park fisheries Match day 11/06/2006

2006-06-12T07:48:00.000+01:00

Arrived at Kiverton about 1 hour before draw so i could have a quick look round, they were loads for fish topping so i decided i would target them. Got the pole out and got a hair rig band out about 12 inces long, drilled a few dog biscuits and pulled the band through. The match started and i threw about 5 biscuits out and the fish came stright for them, then i hit one this was about 2mins into the match. I Hit another not long after but then these swans came round and started to peck the fish which pushed them away, the next peg ad a few decent ones then the same happened to him.

Then about 2 minutes from the end they started to return i hit 2 more and then the swans returned, the next peg had a running battle with one of them for about 5 minutes before deciding to pack up. I ended up with 22lb for second spot the winning weight was 39lb in the next peg. its lindholme next week so lets see if i can improve on last year, i had 9lb 12oz off the strip lake.

kiverton park fisheries

2006-06-07T13:31:00.000+01:00

It’s Kiverton on Sunday and like I’ve said it’s another place I’ve never fished I will be trying up in the air with bread or dog biscuit and the feeder to the island if I draw near with hemp and caster. Again not much more I can add to this report but will fill you in on Monday just how it fished.

Risby Disaster

2006-06-05T08:38:00.000+01:00

Well you all know i went for a practice session on the lake at risby, but what you did'nt know is that i fished the wrong one. So it was a bit of a wastes of time, i took loads of prawn and pellet because i knew i would catch on these baits. What won it was the usual baits maggot and caster, so its back to the drawing board. I fished down the margins and even floated the pole but nothing, i ended up with 1lb 2oz. Never mind Kiverton next but i can not get the time off to practice, so i will be hoping one of my mate will give me a bit of information on what to use.

Risby Fisheries Practice session 27th may 2006

2006-05-26T09:13:00.000+01:00

Ive never fished this venue so to be honest dont know what to expect, ill try pellet, cat meat and the usual baits plus a few secret one , which i will tell you after the match thats if they work on the practice session.

straight mile match day 20/05/2006

2006-05-21T11:05:00.000+01:00

The night before the match I prepared 5 tins on meat for fishing up in the air, but outside I could hear the wind and the rain. I went to bed thinking its going to be a hard cold, wet and windy match. The alarm went off and I went straight to the window and it was pissing it down, if theirs one thing I hate its fishing under a brolly. Got all the tackle in the car and set off, 30min later I was in the car park waiting for the other all my gear on the barrow. When they all turned up they all asked me how I fished it, because Brian told them up in the air with meat. So from that moment on I would only pleasure fish with my mate Jamie, he always tells me not to let anyone know what you are fishing with as it takes your advantage away, how true these word are. The names were shouted out and the peg were then drawn my peg was 59, I set of walking to the peg with the wind and rain blowing in my face and I knew it was going to be a hard match. I setup my rig for up in the air and the feeder just in case, I also made a ring for the bottom which was a good move for me as the day went on first few hours up in the air and only I chub about 3lb the wind and rain was getting worse and all the brollies were up making it difficult to see how the others were getting on. I pushed out 19mtr of pole to the far bank and fired cubes of meat out to it but nothing was happening, then with 1 hour to go I decided to go on the bottom but in the edge. after only a few minutes I had a small carp, then 2 decent chub, then with only minutes on the clock I hit into a good carp with only seconds left the elastic was half way across the channel and the horn for the end of the match sounded 2 seconds late "crack" my line had snapped, this was a good carp I reckoned a good double because it had just snapped 8lb line, gutted I started to pack away when a gust of wind blew the lad in the opposite peg box into the water this was not a cheap box Preston onbox the new one he ended up losing all his drawers.That gives you some indication of just how bad it was, anyway I ended up with 10lb 4oz for 5th, Brian finished up winning the match with 45lb 12oz, but mostly with the feeder. So what did I learn from this, firstly I will only go pleasuring with Jamie and secondly never give people any indication of how to fish a place.

Straight Mile practice Session

2006-05-16T08:28:00.000+01:00

Fishing the straight mile on Saturday, I’ve never fished it before so I’ve decided to have a practice session to see how things go. If anyone as ever fished it they will know that only 5 baits are allowed and only 1 pint of each, Maggot, Luncheon meat, Corn, Worm, Caster. I’ve taken Luncheon meat and Corn. Fished up in the air with meat and had about 60lb of fish so it looks like that’s the plan for Saturday. I also lost a power top 2 for my maver so it was a very expensive day out.

Sunday 14th May 2006 Hoskers Candy Corner

2006-05-15T07:55:00.000+01:00

Got up at 6am and started to pump some pellets with a bit of Active 8 additive added while doing this I started making my flask. The night before I did some jelly pellets and chopped 1 tin of meat and placed them both in the fridge over night. At 6.45am I picked up my mate Richard and loaded up the car, and then it was off to Candy Corner. As we started drawing the pegs I could see some of the better pegs starting to go so jumped into give myself a fighting chance, what a mistake I finished up on the worst side of the lake and in the centre on peg 7. Even still the weather was holding so I was not going to get piss wet through. I pre-baited 3 pegs the far bank with chopped worm and caster as close as I could to the reeds, down the edge with pellet and corn and then in the centre with caster. I set off with the centre swim trying to get the ide to feed on the top picking only a few up, I only put a few casters in every couple of seconds to get them to fight for their dinner which did not produce the effect I was expecting so the amount went up. I had 6 fish on the trot after that and then all went still. I then decided to fish the far bank, with the chopped worm a couple more fish came to the net but I could hear the lads on the other bank say that they were catching some big fish so I had to aim for the bigger fish. I got the luncheon meat out and tried the far bank again straight under with a ide about 2lb, I safely landed the fish and went straight back out with in a few seconds it was under again this time it was a carp about 10lb the fight didn’t last that long and another fish was safely into to my Net. This went on until the whistle was blown and I estimated I had about 25lb of fish but from what I was hearing that would not put me in the frame. The weights were not too bad 24lb 12oz winning from peg 2 which may I add was on the same side as me, then the moment of truth I pulled the net out and to my surprise 35lb 4oz . I won my side and was holding First spot but from what I was hearing the other side had a much better day. The peg that everyone was tipping started to weight and again to my surprise weighed 34lb 4oz I asked them to weight again because he looked to have a lot more fish than me, so they did and the result was the same, as they went down no one was topping that until it came to my mate who reckoned he had about 35lb of ide. We pulled his net out and the scales went to 50lb 12oz which put me into second spot, we only had 1 more to put on the scales and he was not noted for catching big weights and ended up with 5lb 2 oz. So second spot was a brown envelope with my winnings so I can’t complain with that. I had to work for it and in the end it paid off.

first match of the season

2006-05-09T08:24:00.000+01:00

I don’t know if this will be of any use to anyone or even if anyone will even read it, but its something to remind me of what I’ve done at certain fisheries if nothing else. I fish for 2 clubs 1 on Saturdays and 1 on Sundays and most of our matches are around the Yorkshire and Nottingham area.Our first Match takes place at a place called Candy Corner in Doncaster (Hoskers) this weekend, it’s a place I have fished many times over the last year and I know it can produce some big weights. I’ve decided to fish pellet and corn to the far bank and meat down the margins. I will only post before the match to let you dear readers know how I’ve attacked the swim and then after when I’ve either got it right or totally wrong.So if you live in the Yorkshire and Nottingham area have a read and don’t be afraid to post your comments. I will even let you know how I’ve setup for the fishery and I might even post a few pictures.