Estate lake Crucians

For years I've fished this historic estate lake and many anglers before me have written about the lakes. One of my fave anglers the late terry lampard wrote a chapter on the lakes to! I've never targeted the Crucians but just generally float fished for what ever came along. Early this year I decided to give it a go and target the finicky feeding Crucians. I did as much research as possible and learned as much about where the Crucians usually get caught from and what methods etc etc. the venue is match fished some times three times a week so these fish are very very pressured which has made the finicky species even more finicky to catch and locate! My first trip was a early one in the year in March time! And was a social with my cousin Connor we set out to have a bit of a laugh really and just fished to see what came along. After countless big bream Connor headed off and I stayed wading through the slabs of bream which were coming my way.. I thought to myself it's way to early for Crucians and thought I've done a wrong here but enjoyed being out so carried on! Getting to the end of my tethers and on my last stab of ground bait for the feeder I was on my final cast. Funny how things are meant to be! The tip of my feeder lightly twitched and I was into my first crucian of the year from the estate lake. After a heart in mouth fight the little golden beauty was in the net! I was chuffed and overwhelmed as this was the first crucian I'd caught in years!

 

Time went on and the weather improved and we were finally in May! This time on my return I was more serious and had a new approach. I was going to fish under the rod tip in the margins along side some pads! 

With a light pole float and a size 16 hook I was happy with my set up! Bite wise just used small amounts of ground bait and caster. The lake holds big carp and tench and other species so fishing next to the pads was going to be task! I was riddled by small roach before the bites simmered and I knew then something else had moved in to feed! All went quiet before my float tore off and a battle of to and thro began! It was either a small carp or big tench, after a few minute battle the small carp was in my net.. Along with a broken pole float! I re set up and put on a heavier float and fished the lift method. Another carp turned up causing more madness along with a few slimey green mates!

I started loosing all hope knowing the Crucians wouldn't be having any of it! But with my session coming to an end and time running out I stuck in the swim! I didn't put anymore bait in the swim and just sat it out. Minutes turned into hours and the sun was slowly disappearing and the Mrs was on the phone asking when I was ready to be picked up.. I thought all was lost that session when the float shot under I was into something different.. This was no tench or carp.. And I saw a glimpse of golden brown as the crucian rolled on the surface. She was mine! At last a crucian! And a beautiful high backed specimen it was to.

 

After weighing my prize and getting a Mate who was fishing the top lake to do a few photos I slipped the crucian back! I could go home that Eve satisfied and not grumpy. 

After arranging another social with my cousin he was up for challenge again hoping the bream might hold back this time! So after a trip to the local tackle shop bait and tackle and the guest ticket purchased we soon in the car park getting the gear sorted. 

It wasn't long before we were both fishing and we were started catching he small roach and perch. We both prevailed and Connor had the first crucian of the day. He couldn't stay for to long as he had to get back to London. I stayed for a few more hours knowing the best time was yet to come. And that it did. After a few more rouge tench the action dried up. 

and I knew when the bites dried up from the other species what that meant. So clutching onto my rod waiting in anxiously knowing that a crucian could be round the corner the float slowly dipped and pulled into a special fish! Playing it very gingerly and steering it away from the pads and weed I guided the crucian into the net! This one was special and nearly filled my net! 

After weighing the fish and taking a few dodgy self takes I returned the beautiful specimen and left that session with a grin from ear to ear! 

I carried my angling on at the estate lake but after getting pestered more and more by the rouge carp and big tench loosing lots of tackle In the pads and other snags my patientce wore more and more thin. If you angle for Crucians you will know how infuriating the fishing can be for them and often leave at times wanting to snap your rod over your knee! I had a fair few sessions with just big bream and tench to show for my efforts. 

As much as I loved the angling there I had a new water set in my targets which held less rouge fish which would spoil my crucian fishing. I hope you enjoyed reading my first blog and enjoyed the imagery. And maybe it's inspired you to have a go for Crucians your self! Be lucky on your adventures... F