november-2026-big-carp-part-1 - Flipbook - Page 72
BIG CARP / ON THE WATER
NOVEMBER 2026
A DOGGED FIGHT
FROM THE WATER
With the bait prepped, I spombed out about 15 loads tightly onto the top of
a gravel bar, fishing at a comfortable range of just 10 wraps. For the first
few hours, the rods lay motionless. As the light faded, I reeled in, attached
fresh 10mm and 15mm Essential Cell wafters on multi-combi rigs, and sent
them back out to the spot for the night. The night itself passed uneventfully,
save for a few single beeps and line bites telltale signs that fish were in
the area and likely visiting the spot. THE MORNING PRIZE The take came
on the middle rod. It was an immediate, heavy weight, and the fish gave
a fantastic, dogged fight for several minutes, using its deep flanks in the
water. When it finally broke the surface and rolled over the net cord, I
knew immediately this was no ordinary Hardwick and Smiths resident. As I
peered into the mesh, the sheer scale of the fish became apparent. It wasn't
just the huge, distended belly; it was the incredible, oversized mirror scales
scattered along its flank. This was a spectacular, heavily plated mirror the
kind of classic, old-school carp that anglers dream of.
BIG CARP
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