Anglers' Net - The UK Online Fishing Magazine: My First Year With Lures

My First Year With Lures
================================================================================
Elton on 18 July, 1999 04:00:00
 
by Nick Tredwell
Last summer, I would never have thought that in about a year's time I would be
addicted to fishing with lures, and use them over any other method. I had been
fishing for about six years, starting with the basics and after a while moved
over in to Carp fishing, as one of my fishing friends concentrated in this
area. I only actually fished for carp for about two seasons, and had some
reasonable success with fish up to 29lbs 10oz.
But, I gradually got fed up just sitting there doing nothing, and then I met
Steve Crowther one day while out fish spotting on the river, he showed me his
slides form when he was fishing in South Africa and lent me a couple of old
Lure Anglers and Pike Lines. He then said he would take me out lure fishing,
and I jumped at the chance and although we did not catch anything, I enjoyed
myself immensely, and vowed to try it again. I then undertook several short
sessions on my own, which also proved to be fruitless. The next step for me was
when Steve invited me to attend the first meeting of the Essex chapter of the
L.A.S. so I turned up, and sat there listening to stories and peoples
experiences. This left my brain exhausted, as I had taken in so much
information, and was keen to get on the bank again.
If I remember correctly, it was on January 1st, that I caught my first lure
caught fish, it was a pike of about 7lbs, and I was ecstatic. From there things
went from strength to strength, I joined the LAS and started catching Pike on a
regular basis. Although they were small, the area of river, which I was
fishing, did not have the potential for massive fish, and doubles were few and
far between, so fish of 6-7lbs was a good achievement. At this time, I was also
spending quite a bit of time, after Chub, and at around the beginning of March,
I landed my first one; it was about 3.5lbs.
At this time, I was still using a 12ft 2lbs test curve carp rod, and I decided
it was about time, I invested in a proper lure rod, as handling a 12 footer in
some of the swims I was fishing, was becoming increasingly difficult. I also
bought some braid, which also helped no end, as know I was in direct contact
wit my lure. Unfortunately the season ended soon after, and I had not had time
to really use my new gear, but I set out planning my first real season fishing
with lures.
I had arranged to spend the first day of the season fishing with Steve, in
attempt to put a few elusive Chub on the bank. An early morning start, soon had
Steve in to his first fish of the 98/99 season, and although I was getting lots
of takes and knocks I was having trouble connecting, (I later realised, that I
had been striking too early).
This really began to get frustrating, and although I ended up having about 12
knocks/takes (Chub do not all ways take the lure, about 60% of the time, I find
that they just role on the lure or head but it.) I was not able to land a fish,
as the two fish I did connect with were both lost in the very snaggy swims.
Even though I had a lack of fish on that day, I learnt a great deal, and
continued for the next few weeks to try and catch those ever-elusive Chub. But
know I was having trouble to even get takes from the Chub, as after that first
day of the season, I never again saw them in such an active mood, it was as if
they had disappeared into thin air. I therefore decided to concentrate on Pike
a bit more, as because I had been spending so much time after Chub, I had not
yet caught many Pike, and I thought it would be nice to try and catch a few.
This also meant getting to know a different stretch of river, as the stretch
containing the Chub, did not much of a potential for Pike. I returned to the
swims in which I had had previous encounters with Esox and started searching
out newer areas of river.
I had some successes with fish up to about 7lbs, (a good fish for my stretch of
the river) and also had a follow from a good fish, which I am continually
returning to try and hook, I estimated it at about 15lbs, which for that area
of the river would have been a very good fish. The next main event of my
season, was the LAS Ardingly event, to which I was able to get a lift to from
Elton Murphy (Cheers Elton) we arrived fairly early, and sat about drinking
coffee and talking as people gradually started to arrive. The sun was out, and
the match started with every body rushing to try and get to the other side of
the lake and find a parking space. When we eventually found one, we found a
likely swim, and started to work our lures. As soon as I started to fish, I
wished that I had brought my waders. As many of you will know, the weed growth
close in was quite prolific, and if I had been able to wade out a short range
it would have helped immensely, (I now know for next year). During the whole
day, I only had one knock, but this did not bother me, the weather was good,
and I was doing something that I love. What could have been better (catching a
fish maybe?).
I fished on through the summer, wit a fair amount of success, no monsters but
several good fish for the river which I was fishing. At the end of October I
went on holiday in Ireland with my parents, and sampled some of the fishing.
The highlight of the week, was wen I spent a day out on Loch Coribb with a
guide, and ended up catching 14 fish, the biggest being about 8lbs. It was a
shame that nothing bigger came along, although I lost what seemed to be a good
fish, which tore away from the boat and threw the lure. Most of the fish were
caught on copper spoons, but at around midday we were struggling to get any
takes, so changed lures, and both opted for jointed minnows, mine being a blue
Rapala jointed floating . This really did the business and got me catching
again. I had a great time in Ireland, and want to return there again someday to
try and catch a monster.
Since the, I have had plenty more fish, and have enjoyed every minute of it,
taking fish to about 12lbs, and am hoping next season to go slightly further
afield to areas which hold better size fish, and hopefully catch some upper
doubles and maybe even a twenty. I have also started to experiment with rubber
lures, and am expecting some success during the coming season. I am going to
try and tempt a couple of carp during the river closed season from a local lake
on them. I have also purchased a jerkbait rod, and I am starting to learn this
new technique and am looking forward to reaping the benefits.
Nick Tredwell - 1999