Fishing a mega weedy lake was never going to be easy, but any carp angler knows where there’s weed and gin-clear water there’s normally mega carp. I’ve been campaigning this water now for coming up to 3 seasons on the chase of a “big common”. Not only is there 2 mega big commons in there, there is also a beautiful dark old mid 30 mirror and I wanted that in my net! After fishing pretty consistently through the winter and having no bites to show for my efforts, I was a bit gutted. But I knew consistency is key on a weedy water, so I had to sit on my hands and keep feeding the spots.
After receiving a message being offered to test out the new fishmeal bait (the shellfish), I couldn’t turn the offer down and got an order done straight away. As soon as it arrived, I knew I had to start introducing it to the lake. After a good couple of weeks of putting the bait on the spot, it didn’t take long to start seeing them showing, and now I knew it was primed and ready for me to finally fish it.
We had a crazy spell of weather coming in with good temperatures in the day and night, and now was my time to attack. Armed with stiff hinges, with a swarm pop up on one and a shellfish boilie drilled out with a good size bit of cork in, I deployed them onto the spot. Fishing both rods on the same spot, it didn’t take long to get the first bite, a lovely dark mid double mirror and now I knew it was game on.
After a really quiet night, I thought I needed to get up early and keep an eye out for shows or any sign of fish, but it was mega foggy! Just after 8am, the fog finally started to burn off enough to be able to see my spot, and sure enough I could see some pin prick bubbles coming up over the back of my spot. Sat on my hands waiting, 8:45 rolled round where I got a single beep on the alarm and the bobbin slapping the rod, I was away!
Battling this fish through the weed was a nightmare, every possible weed bed on the way in this fish wanted to dart for. After a good 20 minute fight, I finally landed this dark mirror and I couldn’t believe my eyes, it was the one I wanted! After speaking to a few of the lads on the phone to try and calm myself down, I knew I had to get this fish weighed and in the sling ready for photos.
After weighing her and the scales pulling round to 37lb, I was over the moon! First 30lber of the year and it was one of my main targets! The beautiful dark mirror was finally mine!
The saga of the dark mirror is over, but the hunt continues. Those big commons are still out there, and I’m not leaving until the job is done.
