Anglers often have a sixth sense when it comes to how the weather might affect their target species. It is hard to explain, but for those with angling experience, sometimes you just know when conditions are right and have to do whatever you can to get on the bank.
This was exactly the case for Adam Riches, who, after noticing a positive shift in the weather forecast, felt conditions looked promising and booked the day off work to head out in search of one or two big spring bream.
“The wind had been blowing consistently cold for the previous 10 days, but with a warm westerly said to be on the way I felt that it could stir the fish into feeding.
“Arriving at first light, I took my time, walking around the lake and watching several areas, trying to find signs of fish. Fortunately, they gave themselves away, as I spotted a couple of bream rolling at range among the birds that were feeding on a large insect hatch.
“I quickly set about getting a rig in place – heli set-ups with hair rigs and homemade hookbaits. In terms of baiting, I opted for a crumb and caster mix, which was loaded with attraction but offered minimal food content. I hoped that would keep the fish in the area without filling them up.
“Around 10am I had my first rod in place, and before I could even get the second out, I had a take from a nice bream of 14lb 6oz. I got the rod back out quickly and soon after received another bite, this time from a fin-perfect 17lb 6oz male.
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“A fellow bream angler had just walked into the swim when I had the take, and after taking a few photos he left me to go and set up himself. But, within the hour, I was calling on his camera services again, as this time, I’d landed an even larger male of 18lb 2oz!
“I rebaited and had a couple of other ‘doubles’ through the night. At 7am the following morning, a bream of 16lb 13oz came to the net – that was the last of the activity, but I certainly didn’t mind.
“With seven bream, including three giants, over 24 hours, I spent the rest of the day enjoying the spring sunshine and grinning like a Cheshire cat!”
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