Fishing Peterstone Lakes - Cardiff/Newport

Well winters here and the weather is cold but we decided to try and get in another fishing trip before calling it a day for this year. The weather had warmed up slightly and the wind wasn't as strong as previous weeks so we decided on going to Peterstone Lakes and give it a try up there. Now with the weather being so cold we decided to try a few different tricks in order to get the fish to feed, we tried different types of luncheon meat, we tried hemp seed with fish oils, pellets, and some specialised ground baits.

Mum & Brian happily Pole Fishing (until the wind decided to increase)

The weather was just still way too cold, we were getting little bites from the smaller fish but nothing from any of the larger fish. Brian and my mum decided to go on the pole fishing the all methods lake (my mothers favourite spot) but the action was very slow. my mum managed to catch a few small fish, mainly bream and a small roach and Brian managed to hook into a half decent 1 to 2 lb bream.

 (My Carp pod set-up and a class view of the open Lake)

I myself decided to target the larger fish and go on the specimen hunt. I had a couple of line bites but nothing really that got my heart racing. Unfortunately due to the icy cold wind and cold weather getting to the bones we had to pack up early and the wind was blowing directly at my mother and she was sat shivering (not enjoyable at all). So i will have to arrange another trip in the new year for specimen fishing just to see what the lakes have to offer. Get Hooked!

Fishing Lamby Pond - Lamby Way Cardiff

Well it looks like the weather could be on our side for this weekend and we should manage to get a fishing trip in. We have decided on a local fishing venue down at Lamby pond in Cardiff. I took a little trip down there just to scope out the swims before we go and i have to say the pond is looking great. There are some great fishing features and i even managed to spot a few carp playing in the reeds.

The swims are well laid out and there is plenty of room for each fisherman even though it is a small pond.  It can accommodate 8 fishermen easily at any one time. each swim has some excellent features such as reeds and lilies giving you a great focal point to fish to. The pond is well stocked and boasts quite a few double figured Carp and Tench. 

Fingers crossed the weather holds and we get in a good days fishing.... Get Hooked!

To be Updated.....

When we got down to the pond the weather was absolutely freezing. The frost was on the ground and the grass was crispy white shining in the sun. The water looked like it had a mist covering the top of the water and the fish seemed lively even though it was very cold. We started the day by feeding up the swims and preparing for our day fishing. fishing in the winter months is the most difficult kind of coarse fishing there is. It is very hard to get the fish feeding as like most cold blooded animals they live of their fat stores in the winter and therefore tend to eat less.

(Brian's 6 - 7 lb Common Carp)

After a while of trying every type of fishing tactic we could think of to get the fish feeding i decided to go on a hunting trip around the pond to see if i could spot where some of the fish were hiding. 

As i walked around the swims i suddenly caught site of something moving below some lilies just out of the corner of my eye. So i crept up to the bank edge and hid behind some high grass so not to spook the fish and using my pole i lowered a chunk of meat into the water. Within 10 seconds the meat suddenly disappeared and the float shot under the water i struck into a lovely sized common Carp. Due to there being loads of weeds and lilies i had to bully the fish slightly keeping its head raised above the water so not to let it try and dive and wind itself around the reeds but suddenly SNAP my top section of the pole broke. I couldn't believe what had happened so i struggled on even with a broken pole. It wasn't until i managed to get it to the bank side and about to lift the net from beneath the fish to land it when the hook length decided to break and i ended up loosing the fish. As you can imagine i wasn't impressed.

Brian however managed to hook into a nice 6 - 7 lb carp about an hour after my little adventure, but unfortunately that was the only action we both had for the entire day as it was just way too cold. we both decided to pack up early and head home for some well earned grub. We'll get them next time ..... Get Hooked!

Fishing Blog Update

Fishing Blog Update - November 5th 2012

Well we are into the start of winter and it looks like it going to be a very cold one at that! I think i may be able to get in a couple more trips to the lake before its get's too cold for us to go out. I will have to stock up on a few winter baits as they say fruity in the summer and spicy in the winter (how true that saying is i don't know) but i am sure a few meaty products will also get a few results this time of year.

I have been reading up on  a few fishing methods and reminding myself of the species of fish and how they feed in different times of year. I have included some in this blog and i think it handy to remind yourself sometimes about the fish you are trying to catch and what their habits are and what they like to feed on. Take a look i think you'll like it!

There are also a couple of books i would like to recommend as i was given them the other day and reading them took me back to my youth when i was a water whacker (learning to float fish) and we would do anything to catch a fish.

COARSE FISHING METHOD MANUAL by JOHN WILSON 

This book covers every type of course fishing there is from dead baiting to stalking with floaters. There are detailed diagrams of tackle set up's for you to follow and also diagrams on how you should fish your swim. It looks in detail at how the fish react and feed.

THE CONCISE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FISHING by GARETH PURNELL, ALAN YATES, CHRIS DAWN

This is every fisherman's MUST. This book covers all types of fishing, coarse, sea and fly. It also has detailed information on every type of fish you can imagine and some you can't. It has information about techniques, tackle and bait preparation and presentation.

IMPROVE YOUR COARSE FISHING - POLE FISHING EDITION by JAN PORTER

this book is a full guide to all types of Pole fishing giving you advice on how to use and handle the poles and whips properly and also how to setup you rigs and elastics to ensure you get the best experience out of pole fishing.

These books are a great read and i have to admit there are some tips and tricks they show in the books that i had forgotten and now i have refreshed my memory will increase my fishing and results dramatically. We'll have to see if it produces any results on my next fishing adventure.

Get Hooked!