New location, new PB perch!

Thought I would catch up with a post of my new PB perch. I had been told of a water that is rumoured to hold some very good sized perch. I really enjoy perch fishing, so decided to give it a go. It was very windy, and the lake for its size was quite busy with lots of lads fishing for the large head of carp that the lake holds. So I settled a swim out he way a little and started to prebait with red maggot and some choppie.
After about 30 mins I introduced my rigs, whilst feeding on regular basis. I waited about an hour before my float bounced and then dissapppeared. Slowly I tightened down and then hit into the fish. It flew off, in fact I thought it was a carp! As I knew the lake had no pike in it, I had only opted for 6lb line straight through. The fight went on for a good 5 mins, which I know to many does not sound that long by for a perch fight I class this as 12,3 minute rounds of professional heavy weight boxing!
When it broke the surface I knew I was in with a chance of a good weight, as though the ones I have caught from the river have been big in length this one looked an overall larger fish. On th esclaes it went 3lb 6oz. A very pleasing first session on a new water...I will be back!

The self take is not great but I like the one on the matt as it had better focus etc.

Pixie hunting!!

When Keith suggested a road trip in search of pixies , I jumped at the chance. I have always enjoyed fishing for crucians and though I have caught many of them over the years, I have never really had a big one. With the overage size in the pools being high I knew I was in with a chance.Just a shame the weather did not know of our plans!!!!
 I had decided to take a couple of float rods and a 9ft bomb road to cover my options. The rods (one 13ft,one 15ft) were set up with pins loaded with 4 lb supplex, a maver indestructible .5g pencil pole float (I really rate these) , .5g olivette set 10 inches from a size 16 wide gape pellet hook, then a couple of 10 and 11 stot shots to present the bait on dead depth. This is a set up I have used for a few years now and have alot of confidence in when detecting small movements on the bait. I also like to use a bit of grease on the bristle to keep it  just above the surface. The bomb rod was set up with a simple small flat bed feeder on which I intended to fish 2mm micro and perhaps soft pellet on the hook

To kick off the swim I fed some 2mm feed pellets, chopped worm and also a few grains of green giant. I decided to start with a small section worm in order to get a feel for what was in the swim, as fish just adore the dendras! It was not long before I found out, whilst looking at my bait table I heard the ratchet on the pin scream as my line shot into the lilies. Unfortunately the fish got to far into the bed and I lost it. 1 bite;1 new rig not ideal!

After sorting a new rig I was back into the fed spot. Dib, dib and away..... tinca time! Throughout the session I found if I fed choppie the tincas moved in. Catching a pleasing 14 between 1lb and around 5lb throughout the session. Also bagging roach up to 14oz and a rare bream.

A sample tinca from the session

In between I did though manage two crucians, weighing 1lb 9oz and a new Pb weight of 2lb 10oz.
I will be back there I as am confident on a day with bettter conditions I can bag a 3lb'er or 4!!!!

Linear Mirror saves me!

Having decided to fish Linear with Keith for tench, I was on the blank until my Delk screamed fish at me!
It took me a while to land on the tench tackle; as Keith reminded me my hooklink was not heavy! I was pleased as punch as it slipped over the net. Though Joe was determined to put the kibosh on it with his commentatory.."whats your pb carp???... it was banked. A real beauty of a lady.

20lb 3oz!! My scales must be wrong!

That was it for me but KJ had the time of his life the next day. I will report back when  I bank some tincas!

Holiday fun on the reefs

Thought I would do a quick round up of the sessions that I had recently on my honeymoon to Mauritius. When I say honeymoon I mean fishing holiday! ;-) I had been kindly lent a travel rod by a friend with a Shimano link, which just fit into my suit case, along with a small reel and some lures etc.
On arrival at the hotel in the north of the island,  I immediately looked out from the window to see probably the most amazing sea scape I have ever been privileged to set my eyes on; also noticing the mullet and other fish moving around the lagoon.

I had days of fun catching all kinds of small reef fish ranging from small grouper, curang, captain fish and other somewhat bazaar fish. All of which where caught on bread and jelly worms a few below show these days.A few pics below to help illustrate the area and fish..

The most enjoyable session of the week  many will find bazaar. I spoke to a local guy in the day at the bar, he had seen me fishing and was interested in the tackle and techniques that I was using. After a few beers he told me he owned a boat and would be happy to take me out night fishing outside the reef as many of the larger fish feed at night. Being out about a mile from shore, with a man I only met that day, with only a torch, a hand line; was interesting to say the least. Out of the glow form the hotel it was truly amazing looking up at the star scattered night sky. We caught some small reef fish on squid but nothing readily kicked on...until i struck into something a bit larger....in pitch darkness it was a fight which I can only describe as blind! The fish came up close to the boat, Steve (good Mauritian name) shouted shark! His torch beam showed a fish of about 4 ft long, estimated at about 35/40lb....... it was at this point that my line pinged clear and the shark disappeared into the dark depths. True catch and release! Though it would have been nice to have a photo, I feel Steve would not have wanted it to be returned, so the fact it bit through the line was meant to be. Sharks are best on the reef where they should be. Reef fish examples.

The second week was spent at the south of the island in a swish 5 star hotel which had an even more exciting area to fish. Whilst scuba diving I noticed a group of small barracuda which were to much of an attraction to ignore. ...much to the holiday sunbathers amazement I landed a couple within my first few casts. The locals do not fish like us as the lures in Mauritius are very expensive so seeing the cuda hitting the surface lures also bought some attention from the hotel staff and beach workers. They live virtually only on fish and were also very happy recipients of my captures. They feel that cuda/tazar are more dangerous that sharks, so are only to happy to see them out of the swimming area! They are very aware also of not over fishing and only taking what they need on a day to day basis.

I also had some time on a sport boat for a day in which I managed to scrag a Dorrado which was a beautiful fish but to be honest the crew wanted in in the fish well asap so I did not really have the chance to play the fish to enjoy the fight. It would seam they make money from these sop they do not mess around!

I spent most of this week on a pedalo around the reef, i can recommend this as the fish fight like stink and it saves you a lot of money! Many of my fish were given to the lads who worked in the boat house whom went out of their way to get me access to the boats every day.More pics of the week.

 If anyone is thinking of venue in which the wife can sit in th esun and you can fish...this is the one!