In Pursuit of a 30….
With the unofficial pike season commencing on the 1st of October, myself and Richard arranged our first session of the season on the 18th. The estate lake hadn't been pre-baited and we set up in the usual swim at around 7am. We soon had the rods out on either sardine, herring or mackerel dead baits, the weed that we had been expecting had died down and we were able to fish the baits hard on the bottom. The first indication of the pike feeding came around 9am with Richard lifting into a fish for the bait to be dropped instantly. The next run came from my rod which was cast out at distance, on lifting into the fish and feeling contact, I didn't get enough pressure on the fish and it spat the bait. After re casting the rod, I sat back to watch my bob float move away and submerge, striking into a heavy fish, it was soon stripping line and fighting hard.
After bringing the fish under control she was soon in the net and on the unhooking matt, after a photograph of both sides to allow us to identify the different fish in the lake she was weighed at 21lb 13oz falling to a large herring deadbait injected with sardine oil.
She was then returned to the lake, personally i like to get into the water with any fish that has put up a hard fight to ensure she didn't go belly up. Another benefit is that the fish can be held in deeper water oppose to trying to hold her from the bank.
Soon after re-casting Richard received his second take of the day and after connecting with the fish it stripped some line and then spat the bait for the second time. With luck not on his side he then proceeded to 'nearly' fall in the lake as the over hanging bank gave way. Within 30 minutes i received a very good run on a herring deadbait legered in the middle of the lake, after a very energetic fight with the fish high in the water it soon tired and was on the bank. She was weighed at 21lb 8oz and its the first time i have caught 2 20's in a day.
After this fish we received no more runs or takes, we waited until dusk to see if there was another feeding spell but they didn't come on the feed again. Overall a very successful session for myself and hopefully we find that un-caught 30 on our next session.
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