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The Largest in the Lake

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Once in a while we all get lucky and hook into a fish we really wanted to catch. Occasionally someone has the presence of mind to grab a camera and rush round to take a few action shots. Rarely do the two situations join together. Thanks Dave for capturing those exciting moments.

I had the strong urge to wet a line, so nothing new there really. There was work I had to get out of the way first but eventually I was free for a few hours indulging myself behind the rods at one of my favourite places to sit and unwind. I was content, just happy to be there but I couldn't help but feel confident of some action. I had been feeding a couple of areas and knew the carp had been visiting just by the feel of the lead bumping down on my spots, from a cushioned thud the previous week to a solid donk this trip. The lake bed had well and truly been cleaned of every last bit of dusty silt where I had been trickling in my blend of Rahja Spice, Questrami and Spicy Spirulina. http://www.questbaits.com/blog/which-bait-for-june/

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My blend of Rahja Spice, Questrami and Spicy Spirulina

I had done my usual lap of the lake upon arrival just in case an opportunity arose elsewhere but deep down I really wanted my rigs on my prepared spots and I'm sure I didn't really look as hard for carp as I perhaps usually would have, I was almost hoping I didn't see any anywhere else. 

Soon I was set up in the long grass of a little trodden swim trying my hardest not to make it look trodden. Slowly I melted into my pitch becoming part of the scenery and the resident wren came to pay me regular visits along with a duck showing her ducklings off and a swan showing her cygnets off whilst the boisterous male chased everything off that dare come to share his water. Dave turned up and in true carp stealth mode made his way around to me being fully aware that one of my baits would only be a couple of feet out. If only all carp anglers these days would adopt what was always the norm' in the past and give respect to those who enjoy catching them from as close in as possible. We had a bit of a chat and Dave announced that he had two bottles of beer with him to celebrate the next fish either of us had. Now that could be the icing on the cake.

Off he went for a silent stalk around the lake before setting up around 80 yards away positioning his baits just where I would have done myself and so the vigil began. Not much of a vigil really as we were both only out for a few hours escapism. I was on my 4th cup of tea wondering if a beer would be touching my lips that day when suddenly my small plastic cylinder used as a bite indicator slammed into the butt of my 10 ft S Range Bank Creepers as the water bulged and an angry carp gave one of those furious head shaking moments before allowing itself to be lead toward the bank. I whistled over to Dave, caught his attention and reminded him of the beer promise.

The fish simply came to the edge like a dog on a lead, as if wanting to weigh up its opponent,  I caught a glimpse of a large black back just as Dave entered my swim with a camera in hand rather than a beer and at that same moment the water erupted and the true battle began and what a battle it was.

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What a battle it was

It had been on for quite some time making run after run and I remember saying to Dave…

“Do you remember in Still Water Angling when Richard Walker drew a diagram of the route his record carp had taken during the fight? If I did the same now it would look like I had just scribbled all over the page”.

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That fish visited everywhere it could think of visiting

That fish visited everywhere it could think of visiting whilst the soft 10 ft rod buckled around doing its job but with the size 8 PB Super Strong firmly embedded, there was only ever going to be one winner and eventually it was tiring at the net. I had a strong feeling I knew which fish I was attached to. I’d never seen it on the bank before but if it was the one I thought it was it had been the largest fish I had seen from the punt.

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Anxious moments

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Those last few moments seemingly went on for ever

Those last few moments inches from the net went so agonizingly slowly. There was a coating of willow blossom on the surface of the water which made it difficult for me to see when it was actually over the net but eventually I scuttled it in and turned around to Dave with a huge smile on my face.
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I turned around to Dave with a huge smile on my face

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The big old black mirror was finally mine

The big Black Mirror of the pool was finally mine and action shots to boot.
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Boy, did that taste good

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First time I had seen it out of the water.

Thanks Dave, that beer went down an absolute treat and I spent the rest of my session there with an almost fixed pickled grin on my face similar to the paralyzed cider drinking faces I used to see in the cider bar.

Isn’t carp fishing great?

Best wishes as always
Shaun

About the Author: Shaun Harrison

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Quest Baits boss Shaun Harrison has put over 40 years of experience into developing his range of carp baits ” This bait range is the culmination of the bait knowledge I’ve gained throughout my carp fishing career, a journey which started in the 1970’s. It has truly been a long and winding road – frustrating at times, fascinating and rewarding at others….. Our range you’ll only find proven baits, the ones I use myself 

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