Big Bash Winter League Rd 5 Grange Park Heron 25.1.25
Following the high winds and rains of Storm Eowyn, Jasper had managed to arrange a 24 hour gap in the weather for round 5 of our Winter League at Heron Lake Grange Park. We did wake up to a ground frost, cars iced over and a cool 0 degrees however it wasn't long before the blue skies were overhead and dare I say it sunshine peering down upon us. There was a cool breeze blowing into the Merrys side bank and also the top end of the lake. A cold lovely days fishing ahead of us and I drove onto the fishery just as the Big Bash breakfast club exited "a Bite to Eat" to head off down to their pegs.
The Friday night draw had 15 names on the wheel of fortune with a welcome return to Woolfie back into the Big Bash family. Peg 25 was to be my home of the day which I was very pleased with following last weeks result off Peg 27.
The lake was pegged on all 4 sides with 3 sections of 5 evenly spread around.
Following last weeks session on Heron and the draw I left the pole in the car. Bomb rod, method and maggot feeder if required were set up . Bomb rod was to be my prime approach, and I also made sure I had more than enough Guru Bread with me this week.
First fish of the day award went to Jacko again who on setting up his feeder rod managed to hook a fish in his peg which was black. Unfortunately Bashers were still moving their tackle to their pegs and the match had not started so it did not count. His neighbour John Utting had to quickly assemble his landing net to assist Steve land the carp.
Whistle from our timekeeper Glen and everyone cast or shipped out to start their match. First fish on our bank went to Jasper on 29. John Lanelly on hot peg 27 was next and Dave Fox on 31. Jacko on the opposite bank was soon in a rhythm and had 5 fish in the first 30 minutes.
I followed on from last weeks match with Guru punched bread and chucked short of the island. It was probably 15 minutes before the tip dropped back and then moved forward indicating a bite and fish on. A long gap for a second fish and then a 3rd fish which was those you love in winter as it weighed probably 8lbs so slowly slowly into the landing net. It was 11am and I had 3 fish in my net so with bite frequency being slow I made a change to try corn over an area I had been priming mid track I had been priming as a back up line. 5 minutes and wrap round (much different bites on corn), fish 4 in the net followed by fish 5 and 6. Casting frequency was 5 minutes for the corn against 8 for the bread. Bite frequency did vary but in balance much better than the bread line chucked across to the island. Stamp of fish also much better so I stayed on this line. Around 13:00 was thoughts started about kiss of death second net or not as I had about 30lbs in the net. I fought against adding a second net this going down the monitoring as we go along option.
The second half of the match proved to be very frustrating as the bite rate slowed down bread was not their choice as in one instance trying bread on my short line, no bites at all. Next chuck on corn and 2 minutes big wrap round bite again. I went back across to the island a few times but settled on middle of the track and 6 minute casts however I only had about 3 fish in the last hour so it could have been so much better. No lost fish at all, 2 missed bites but on weighing in 45-10 was the score set for others to beat as my net was first weighed in.
Section 2 was pegged 10, 12, 17, 19 and 25 and from the other weights it looks like section of doom except for my peg. Peg 10 Big Glen weighed in 1lb 1, peg 12 Rich Cooke weighed in 2lb 5, peg 17 Gav weighed in 2-8 and was 2nd in section and peg 19 Woolfie put 4-1 on the scales for a section win. All chucked the kitchen sink at the lake but really struggled for bites and indications. Well done for sticking it out everyone. Hindsight is wonderful and we maybe need to consider adjusting pegging next time if 15 on the lake in Winter.
Section 1 probably the closest section on the lake. Peg 2 saw Tracey draw again as he did last week and using same pole rigs, alternating baits and lines he managed to beat lasts week 11-4 to record 27-11 today and a section win, well done.
Peg 4 saw Jacko start off very well and looking good. He did rotated lines and switch methods to bring 24-15 to the scales and a 2nd in section.
Peg 5 John Utting had a slow start and a better finish to record 13-11.
Peg 7 Lewis fished another tidy match and took 25-14 to the scales just being pipped by Jacko. Hard luck mate.
Peg 9 and league leader Keith Smith brought 13 – 2 to the scales after a frustrating match.
Section 3 saw John Lanelly on fancied peg 27 but despite fishing similar to my tactics last week struggled for bites with I think being biteless for 2 hours in the middle of the match. John did have a good finish with 3 fish in 3 chucks and added 9-1 to the scales. Well done mate and enjoy your cruise holidays.
Jasper on 29 set off well and caught fish throughout the match mostly from fishing to the island. His net was made up of smaller fish and F1's with only one carp in it. 37-11 was his weight, only slightly over his declared weight and a section win. Well done mate.
Peg 31 was Dave Fox fishing to the point of the island and he returned 15-13 to the scales man. Well done
On the far bank saw Paul Whitehouse on peg 35 who placed 19-1 on the scales for a 2nd in section. Paul fished bomb all match and rotated baits throughout.
Peg 37 saw big Mark Radford who came out with the line of the day. Mark added 12-3 on the scales and when asked what he had caught them on he said "pure good luck".
Baits used by most were bread and corn, with the latter being more productive. Maggots were also used by those on pole lines where they were struggling for bites.
The weather stayed fine and sunny all day although temperature never getting above 5 degrees. a lovely days winter fishing for some but hard days winter fishing for others
The 45-10 I caught gave me a match win, lessons learned from lasts weeks win on peg 27 were utilised this week to good benefit. The luck of the draw gave me next peg and played a big part in my result.
Many thanks for Jasper organising and running the show. Glen for time keeping and Lewis weighing in duties.
Next Big Bash winter league match sees a return to Lodge Farm and Long island on 7th February. Please confirm booking and pay on if not done so.
There is a wrinklies knock up on 1st February at Grange Park on Curlew, please be in touch if you want to fish as spaces are available.