Dave Owen enjoyed an eventful yet frustrating session on a Midlands gravel pit where, after losing two tench, he managed a new personal best of 11lb 4oz.
He arrived to find the venue busier than expected, so he settled into an area he’d caught from before, but where a stiff breeze and driving rain hammered into him.
The morning passed without event, but at 3.30pm he hooked a fish that kited through another of his rods before jamming up in some weed. Agonisingly, the fish wallowed just out of netting range, before dropping off. The next day, at 11.30am, Dave had another take – but, in a carbon copy of the first incident, he lost the fish in full view.
With the wind now gusting to 40mph, Dave was almost ready to accept a blank. While he was packing his kit away, he reeled in one of his rods to give him a bit more room on the tight spot.
This proved a good decision as, when he received his next bite, Dave managed to coax the fish into the landing net after guiding it through heavy weed. At 11lb 4oz, it was a satisfying conclusion to a tricky session.
Critically-balanced artificial maggots were his successful hookbait, presented on a short braided hooklink and fished heli-style with a maggot feeder.
THE BEST FISHING BIVVIES WILL KEEP YOU COMFORTABLE IN THE MOST HORRENDOUS WEATHER.
