november-2026-big-carp-part-1 - Flipbook - Page 113
BIG CARP / ON THE WATER
AN AMAZING BUZZ
FIRST LIGHT
FROM THE WATER
Back in the spring, George Benos captured the Waterside Common at
a massive 68lb. Here is how it unfolded.
Sunday 22 February. With Tom Dove's Small Willie Challenge and the
weather looking absolutely prime, I just had to be there. I arrived just
before first light, and it seemed everybody else had the same idea. No
fewer than nine anglers were already fishing, with another mate, Tom
Lorraine - the housewife's favourite - loading his barrow.
I did the right thing and gave Tom first choice of what little was left,
but I already had my eye on the only remaining swim, knowing the
others were stitched for the next few days.
My first night came and went, and the second was much the same.
Although I did not catch, I saw and heard a few fish.
The swim to my right was potentially becoming free that morning, and
I gently enquired about moving up. This is where fishing Burghfield
has made me forget that, if you do not mark your patch, you get
schooled. I am so glad I did.
To be honest, I would not have moved anyway after what I saw at
first light. They were out there in front of me, clearly feeding on my
well-spread 18mm Super Cell boilies. I had been preparing them for
weeks, allowing them to take in the same flavour Smart Liquid several
times until they became lovely, sticky and white. Deadly.
At around 10.30am, I saw the Big Common show twice on the right of
the swim. Almost all the shows I had seen were at least 10 to 15 yards
closer than where my rods were positioned.
I decided to redo all three rods quickly and place them in a line around
20 yards out. It was shit or bust.
Two hours later, the left-hand rod burst into life.
BIG CARP
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