Feb 2009

A 54lb 12oz Buffalo Carp	'Ron Key into what turned out to be a 40lb Plus Buffalo Carp'.

Here I am sat with several inches of snow sat on the ground outside thinking about the incredible fishing I have experienced over the last couple of weeks.

For a complete way of a change I decided to go and fish for something completely different – Buffalo Carp in Texas!

British Carp Study Group Secretary and Quest Baits user Ron Key accompanied me for this trip and we were both lucky enough to turn our dreams of catching a Buffalo Carp into reality. Ron got off the mark first with a couple of 40lb plus Buff’s and I quickly followed up with a couple of smaller fish then an absolute monster at 54lb 12oz.

After this fish we moved venues and I was fortunate to catch a rather rare Quasi Buffalo of 47lb 8oz. I will be writing about this trip elsewhere so won’t go into great detail here other than to say my two tried and tested winter baits in the U.K. stood head and shoulders over all other baits used whilst we were in the USA.

'Just check out the ice! Even in extreme conditions the Fruity Trifle and Rahja Spice will continue to deliver the goods.'

Yes, Fruity Trifle and Rahja Spice both produced the goods. Interestingly the Buff’s appeared to prefer the Trifle whilst the incredibly hard fighting common carp (Cyprinus Carpio) showed a preference towards the Rahja Spice.

A few people have commented since I got back to this nasty cold weather that it must be a shock to the system after taking a break in Texas. Forget it – one night we had a wind chill factor of minus 19! Although we had warm periods on some days we had frosts every single night and the water temperatures were not a million miles away from the temperatures here in the U.K.

So, if your confidence needs a bit of a boost with baits you can take anywhere with the chance of stimulating a carp into having a go then look no further.

Being Rolled NOW!

Remember the NEW ‘Surf ‘N’ Turf is being released at the beginning of March. Orders are stacking up at a very pleasing rate so if you want to be one of the first to get your hands on this incredible bait make sure to place your order early and join the queue.

The weather has been really against us carp anglers this winter with more frozen lakes than I can remember for a long while but there is no need for it to stop you going fishing. I have caught fish from under the ice from a number of lakes now but this year decided to spend a little time on the river instead. Most people live close to a river and there are hardly any in this country which don’t contain carp. If you are desperate to wet a line try down your local river.

Well, that’s it for this month. The nights are getting shorter, and in my experience the carp tend to feed regardless of the weather conditions once the longer daylight hours are with us – all we need now is ice free lakes. Best of luck and may I wish you as always.

Best fishes
Shaun Harrison