Last session of the season whacker

After my previous big crucian haul I thought I'd leave my crucian fishing there for the season and move onto other species. But I just had a feeling to return to the crucian Mecca just one final time for the year! I enjoyed it so much I wanted one last go. After a long week at work I couldn't wait to get down the lake. My partner Amie and daughter River came along for the afternoon/evening again. We arrived at the lake to find it packed with carp anglers. 

This proved to be a problem for me as I wanted to fish as far away from pressure as possible. Luckily I dropped in a swim close to the same zone as I had my previous haul from.

The conditions where almost spot on other than the temperature had dropped a fair amount at night.. Had I pushed my luck? I clipped up my two rods to the same area around 30 yards and had a little lead about before deciding on a nice firm area in the silt. I clipped my spomb rod to just under 30 yards and introduced a few spombs of bait to see how I got on. I then cast out the feeders and sat back and waited for the first bite... 

Unlike my previous sessions no bites came to the rods not even from tench or Rudd or even small carp? By this time my partner and daughter had left and the evening was drawing in! I was beginning to think it was to late in the year and the cold snap of Autumn had finally put a close on my crucian fishing for this year! After a few teas and dinner it was dark and yet still no bites had fallen to my traps.. It was 7.55pm and the bobin on my right rod slowly lifted up and held position.. Once I lifted into the fish I knew what it could be! Being pitch black by this point I didn't want to turn my head torch on and spook the fish and potentially loose it! Was it a small carp or a crucian? The fish was finally in the margins and rolled on the surface.. It was a huge crucian my heart was in my mouth and I played the monster sized crucian very gingerly! After a epic fight the crucian was in the net! I laid the crucian on the mat and I couldn't believe how big it was! A very deep and thick set fish! This could be a new PB! 

I called the carp angler over from the swim next door to help with photos and weighing. The needle bounced between 4.1 and 4.2lb I called it at 4.1lb another PB broken in a matter of weeks! After a few shots I returned the beautiful old crucian. 

After a few calls to my mates to let them

Know of my good fortune I made a few teas and got my head down! Around 3am I was woken by a little mirror around the 5lb mark. I left the rod out and decided to get it out accurately at first light. It wasn't long before the sun was rising lighting up the beautiful lake. 

I had some quick breakfast then I re cast the rods accurately back on the spot and put out a few spombs over the spot. Whilst spombing my right rod melted off and I lifted into what I thought was a tench but to my surprise it was another crucian! Another hairy fight in the margins and it wasn't long before the crucian was safely in the net! Another good sized fish eaily over the 3lb mark! The needle on the scails jumped round to 3.9lb another epic session for me! 

After taken some lovely photos the fish was slipped back and more precious memory's were made! No more bites came that day! Not one! Not from any Rudd tench or small carp! That was to be my final crucian session of the year but I was made up! Forty six  crucians landed in total from my few months crucian angling! Countless 2lb+ crucians! Six over the magic 3lb+ mark and two over 4lb+ what a season! All caught on different methods ranging from float fishing off the tip of the rod using a Centrepin reel to casting feeders at thirty yards using bite alarms. I learnt a lot and most of all caught a lot. With the shorter days approaching and the cold weather creeping it was time to move onto the rivers and still waters targeting other species. Be lucky in your ventures and thanks for reading another addition to my blog 

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

Gold rush

 After my season starting off reasonably well and making me buzz for angling again like never before I was up for travelling further a field to fish for Crucians. It was like being 13 and being allowed out to fish on my own all over again the feeling was electric! I did some research and spoke to mates and decided on a new venue not to far away only 50 mins up the motorway from mine. After a few weeks of busy work I finally got the all clear from the Mrs to head to the new venue and she wanted to come with me. A good mate of mine fished the venue a few days before my visit there and had some beautiful specimens out this fed my hunger even more and made me even more excited! Never have I  packed the car quick enough! Me and the Mrs were soon at the venue. After talking to a mate who worked in the on site tackle shop and grabbing a few bits of bait and fresh caster we set off in search of a swim. It was hot day with a light breeze. I opted to fish a swim at the back of the wind in some shade. I used my usual tactics of small balls of ground bait being introduced every now and again with a light sprinkling of caster. The first bite came to a lovely clean tench. 

First fish from a new venue is always a special one even if it is a rouge tench. I carried on fishing the swim with it producing more and more tench! I ended up having six tench from the swim before ringing my mate who was down a few days previous. He told me about a few likely areas and with the knowledge of Crucians hating disturbance it was time for a move! 

I looked around a few swims and dropped in one which had some pads close into the margin. I plumbed about and settled on a nice zone just off of the rod tip. It felt a lot better in this area and I was more confident knowing there could be a crucian or two about. A few hours went by and it was now 2pm and not a crucian in sight I was beginning to get fustrated and started to lose hope a bit so I re plumbed the swim and fished a shallow shelf. Almost instantly I was into a crucian! Crazy! After fishing for hours and having no bites and just re plumbing the depth and fishing a foot closer in I was in! These fish really are finicky! After a nice enjoyable fight on my acolyte rod and centre pin reel the crucian was in the net! I think my Mrs was happier than me as she knew she wouldn't have to hear me moan the whole way home! 

Amie took some beautiful photos and I slipped the crucian back. Not soon after another was in the net then another! Two in the net at once! This was a first for me! I was buzzing! A dream come true! And once again my lovely Amie took some

More special photos! Having a partner with you is a bonus as she knew how I like my photos and together we work good as a team! 

A lovely brace of Crucians! A dream come true! 

If I didn't catch anymore I'd still be returning home with a grin on my face! Three Crucians! Three! I carried on my technique of fishing the light pole float under the rod tip and the bites slowly dried up. I continued to bait and fish waiting anxiously for that finicky bite! And sure enough the float disappeared and I was into crucian number four! And another stunner was in the net! I quickly cast out knowing there could be a few more about and sure enough the float was away and I was into another! I couldn't believe my luck! From fishing a lake full of roach and tench and carp I'm fishing this special place were my Lucks come in! Maybe my patientce and finely tuned baiting and Acuracy paid off and it was just good angling for once and not just luck! 

I was over the moon again holding two lovelt Crucians in my hands whilst Amie snapped away capturing the memory's! I returned the beautiful specimens and carried on my angling! Sadly I faul Hooked what would of been a new pb but just slipped it back. Knowing what was in there now just made me want to get back there even more! 

Amie on the other hand didn't like her photo being taken! But what a gem for coming fishing with me. 

After a chippy tea we were off home and I was happy as Larry! Already thinking about my next trip down there! Which wasn't to far away! After getting a txt from my mate richie we both decided to head down to the venue and have a social. I dropped into the swim I fished before and richie dropped into the swim he'd caught from before. It was roasting that day and bites were few and far between! We both had caught tench but no Crucians so far. 

After a few more tench the bites dried up and time was running out as we both had to be back home. Luckily I ended up catching two lovely Crucians! Which made the session for me! Both me and richie had a lovely little social with some lovely fish caught! 

With my partner being heavily pregnant and work being manic my fishing slowed right down which was a burn as I was really enjoying myself! But me being me I managed to some how get out and get back down to the venue for some more crucian action! Fishing again was really slow I had one crucian from the off and lots and lots of tench. 

I ended up moving around and fishing four different swims that trip and just ended up catching tench after tench! I'm a stubborn bugger and stayed right to the bitter end but only tench to show that session for my efforts. 

I went home that session feeling a little wounded but still keen as ever to get back down there so once again I was off in search of gold! I decided this time to stick to the first swim I had the luck and fish close in the margin by the pads again! Once again I found myself waiting anxiously for that little pole float to dip under! After a couple of hours I hit into my first crucian and then another! Things were back on track again! Both fish were returned without any photos as I was on my own and after loosing my temper with the self take remote and nearly launching my camera in the pond I just carried on angling. Once again the bites dried up and I was sat waiting patiently playing cat and mouse with the Crucians. Just when all hope was nearly lossed the float dipped and I was in! Another good fish and out went the float! And again another good fish! A quick ring to my mate to come and do some shots for me and they were returned. 

The session was a fruitful one and I was happy with the four Crucians id landed! With my camera full of memory's I was once again happy and eagerly awaited for the all the clear to get out again! 

Luckily I didn't have to wait to long! My good mate Marcus wanted to catch a 2lb+ crucian so he was up for a trip! I was super excited this trip as I hadn't seen Marcus for a while or fished with him so it was thumbs up all round! Both of us arrived with big smiles on faces! We walked around the areas I'd been having luck and let Marcus decide where he wanted to fish before I made my decision. This time round I had my feeder rod with me so when the bites dried up on the float rod I could flick a small inline method about and find the fish. It was a good job I did that day as the swim I started off in produced nothing to the float so I chucked the feeder out into open water and wasn't long before the rod tip swung round and I was into a crucian! 

It made me think if I wasn't so stubborn and tried other methods maybe i would of caught some more Crucians? What's done is done though! I ended up moving to the swim to the right of Marcus. Again the swim had pads in the margin but the set of pads was a lot bigger which to me looked like a good holding spot for the Crucians!

So after plumbing about and settling on a nice shallow zone I was happy with in went the bait followed by my light pole float! It didn't take long before I had one in the net! I like this swim! 

With two Crucians under my belt I was happy! And it wasn't long before Marcus had a lovely crucian and a new pb for him to! It's epic seeing your mates catch special fish! The atmosphere was buzzing and we both carried on catching Crucians! 

We both wanted to stay as long as possible as bites were coming quick and fast! 

You really can't beat sitting back watching a float! Constantly on edge waiting patiently for the float to disappear! It's the most exciting fishing in my eyes! Especially when your angling for such a beautiful species! Marcus went on to catch a few more as did I! I decided to up my feed a bit to see what would happen as the tench hadn't paid me a visit so I thought maybe a bit more bait would encourage the bigger Crucians to turn up? And that they did! I hooked into a another crucian this one I knew was a special fish! My heart was beating so hard and I was so nervous I didn't want to loose this fish! After a short battle which felt like hours the special crucian was in the net! 

This crucian had a bigger frame than the others and looked much older so I knew it was special! 

And of course I caught one of his mates to share the photo with him! 

It was a special session with personal bests broken for me and Marcus. Size is ilevant where this species is concerned in my eyes there all special fish! 

Never have I enjoyed my angling so much! It's so much fun using a centre pin and a light float rod! Every pull from the crucian is intense! And if you do hook a rouge tench you hit and hold on for your life!

It wasn't long before Marcus was on the phone wanting to head back! A couple of days later we were back on the motorway on route for gold! I went straight into the swim I had the biggun from and fished the usual spot with the usual tactics! Today wasn't my day.. I ended up losing four Crucians! Blunt hook... Why oh why didn't I check the hook! Marcus suggested to put on a size 14 instead of my usual 16 as if bumped a few fish in previous sessions. I don't like change but a change was needed! Once again the tench were no where to be seen! So I decided to take the risk and put out more bait than usual with the previous sessions luck! The weather was more over cast and drizzly so conditions were prime for it! If a biggun was to slip up today would be the day! My confidence was shattered after the earlier losses but was regained when I landed re fish crucian of the trip! 

All faith was restored and I was away again! Bites slowed down again and the day was drawing to a close. Marcus hadn't had any action as of yet from the Crucians and the rain began to get heavier! Wasn't long before the float was away! This time the fish was taking line from my centre pin! Could it be a tench? I played this fish very carefully as I thought it could be a big crucian! My suspicions were correct and a big crucian was the the culprit! It was huge! My heart began to beat and my mouth began to dry! I slid the net out so carefully and edge the crucian towards it.. The crucian had other ideas as did my hook.. As quick as my confidence was on a high it was shattered again! A blink of an eye and the crucian was swimming back to his refuge! I was gutted! It was a fish of a life time! I took a breather and baited the swim and chilled out for a bit. Gutted I was! After licking my wounds I put the float back out. Bites were non existent. Rather than bait again I waited. Again the float dipped and I was into another hard fighting fish! Pulling line off the centre pin and pulling towards the pads I didn't wanna give this fish to much stick! I got the fish out the pads and saw a glimpse of it! It was another big crucian! It was make or break! The fight was intense! Knowing what had happened previously I upped my game and stayed focused and eventually the Crucian was in the back of the net! 

Another old big framed Crucian! I was buzzing! It nearly filled the net! Smile from ear to ear! 

I knew Marcus would do me proud on the camera and that he did! 

I was over the moon! It has been a wonderful years angling so far with the added bonus of my beautiful daughter being born. I was happy to leave my angling there for now. Until I return to the venue next year for a shot at the bigger Crucians on the pond next door! 

I couldn't leave my angling there though! I had to take my daughter river for a spot of fishing! So I visited the old estate lake where I grew up angling and where I'll be taking her to wet her first line! Of course I took a rod to! 

Sadly river didn't get to see her first crucian but I'm sure she will soon. Thanks again for taking your time to read my blog and I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Be lucky out there... F