Autumn gold

After fishing the beginning of the year over the day ticket lake and catching plenty of 2lb+ crucians my thirst was getting worse to venture for bigger specimen crucians. After securing a new ticket the targets were set and I was already mapping out in my mind a plan of action! After counting down the days at work until the weekend I was finally on the banks in search of the magical crucians which reside in the overgrown beautiful looking lake! Not knowing to much other than where the crucians like to feed during the warmer months I set out wondering the banks in search of any tell tail signs. I ended up fishing a corner swim where the wind was hacking in! I opted to fish one rod on the usual method the delicate pole float off the tip of the rod using my light float rod coupled with my centre pin. I plumbed a nice depth beside some pads and baited up with caster and ground bait whilst I set up the second rod. For the second rod I set up a Inline flat method and fished around 30 yards out. It didn't take long for the bites to come to the float but they were from tiny carp. These became a problem so much so I had to stop using the float rod. 

So I ended up using two rods on the method feeders re casting every half hour to keep the swim topped up and hopefully attract those big crucians. 

I was on a tight schedule this session and I only ended up having lots of tench and a few Rudd. Sadly no crucians turned up that session but I was eager to return. 

It wasn't long before I was back walking the glorious banks trying to find a suitable swim to have another go for the crucians. This time I had a night and a days fishing so I was in no rush to find a swim and the lake was quiet to. I had Amie and my little one with me for the eve so I was looking forward to having some quality family time at the lake. And hoping to catch a crucian with my little one there. 

I ended up dropping in a swim where the wind was hacking into. There were no real features to fish to just open water which was quite daunting really as its a big old lake and the crucians could be anywhere! 

After leading about I found a nice hard spot within the silt at 30 yards out. I mixed up my spod mix which consisted of caster, hemp and ground bait and I spombed out 10 spombs and fished two rods a rod length apart. I used to inline flat methods and little 3 inch hook links and for the hook bait I used Immation casters. It didn't take long for the tench to move in! I had a lovely evening with my partner and my daughter before they shot off. 

I ended up taking the hook links off as the tench were to relentless but I  just stayed up through the night topping the swim up then at first light start fishing again. I topped the swim up with a few more spombs Before putting the rods back out.

It wasn't long for the tench to start biting again! I was beginning to loose faith but then the bobbin rose up slower and i lifted into something which felt completey different to the tench! After guiding the fish in slowly and playing it very gingerly in the margin it finally rose and it was a monserteous looking crucian! As soon as it was in the net the second rod was away!!!! It was another epic sized crucian! I had to take a breather I couldn't believe what I was looking at in my landing net! 

I weighed the smaller fish of the two which swung round the needle to 3.8oz a new PB! My heart began to beat even harder as I knew the fish in the net was even bigger!!!!! The needle swung round to 4lb but was bouncing between 4lb and 3.15oz so I did the honest thing and called it 3.15! 

I was overwhelmed! And on cloud nine! Two fantastic fish and it was still early! I gave my mate a txt and he was soon over to take the photos for me! 

          3.8lb

            3.15lb 

My mate did epic epic photos! I just couldn't believe my luck! 

A lovely brace of specimen crucians 

I was on cloud nine and made a phone call to a couple of mates and my partner Amie to inform them of my news. The bites continued but not from crucians from the tench and carp. Before long the takes dried up so I put out another few spombs of caster and mixed ground bait. It went quiet so i decided to leave the rods out there and it wasn't long before I was into another crucian playing it as gently as possible in the margin with my heart in my mouth.. I got him in the net! A beautiful crucian at that to! And again the second rod tore off! Another crucian to! At first I thought it was only a two pounder but once in the net it again dwarfed the other crucian! I couldn't believe it! The first one went 3.10 and the second well... It went 4lb I immediately started shaking and phoned my mate again! I was bouncing around the swim like a mad man! What a session so far!!!! My mate turned up and took some really beautiful pictures! 

A lovely old specimen! 3.10lb

I simply couldn't believe what I was holding in my hands a 4lb crucian! a fish I've only ever dreamt about let alone catching one! My grandad would be so proud! In fact I know he was right beside me in spirit. 

The magical 4lb crucian! What a specimen! 

We had to do some more brace shots! I Just couldn't believe what was happening!!! 

After slipping back the beautiful bars of gold I didn't expect to catch anymore crucians but if I didn't who cares after the morning I've had so far! After topping up the swim once again with a few spombs of bait it didn't take the tench and carp long to move in making it a very busy fishing! Spombing over the rods whilst getting takes! Crazy angling! I was really enjoying myself I hadn't even eaten anything I was literally burning off of adrenaline! Again I was waiting and wondering if the crucians would move back in? Tench after tench I was beginning to think the crucians had Deff moved off but the bobin on my left rod dropped back and I was once again Into what felt like another crucian after guiding it in it wasn't long before it showed itself I was into another decent looking crucian! After a hairy battle under the rod rip I guided the bar of gold into the back of my net! And before I had time to have a look at the fish the other rod was away! Another savage take but to a

Crucian! Another heart in the mouth battle I didn't wanna loose anything I hooked crucian wise from here as I knew it holds so many special fish! Luckily the crucian was met by my net! Again my net was filled with gold! 

After sending my mate another txt like the true gent he was he was back in my swim doing the photos! These two went 3.2lb and 3.8lb smallest of the session so far but still over the magic 3lb barrier a true red letter days angling! So far! 

The 3.8lb crucian was a real character out of the pair!

I think that smile says it all! 3.2lb 

After slipping back the fish and taking a breather I just sat on my bed chair in ore! Truly overwhelmed! By this point I was beginning to feel tired and my session was drawing to a close but I still angled hard! Continually topping up the swim every hour and re casting the rods every half hour battling through the continuess tench and carp! Slowly but surely my bait bucket of spomb mix was getting lower and lower and my session drew to a close! My Mrs Amie even suggested I did another night but I was happy enough with my days angling and the results! The tench did me out of bait before my Mrs arrived. So I just left the rods out and sat down and took the session in!

 

It's rare when things come together so well for me with my angling especially in this manor anyway but this year I had a bee in my bonnet and targets I wanted to achieve and so far so good! I'm in two minds whether to return to the crucian Mecca but it was so much fun they'll be one or two more trips this year before I move onto my new Perch winter ticket in search for a 3lb+ stripey or even a 4lb stripey! Thanks again for taking the time to read my blog I hope you enjoyed it and liked the imagery. Be lucky in your ventures... F