Big Bash Winter League Rd 7 Lindholme Willows 15.2.25
Friday night wheel of fortune or doom had 10 names enter, 9 league members and a guest Joe Martin who be it known is beginning to enjoy this winter fishing. Full lake so loads of room and everyone spaced out.
1 degree on the car leaving home and slight drizzle. At Lindholme it was cold, no very cold, overcast, rain showers for a long part of the day and a cold wind blowing from right to left, strip down to Bonsai.
Section 1
Peg 2 Keith Smith 7-4
Peg 7 Joe Martin 18-6 1st in section
Peg 9 Paul Wilkinson 14-3 2nd in section
Peg 14 Tracey Benson 8-7
Peg 16 Lewis Fox 3-8
Section 2
Peg 23 Jasper 18- 9 Match winner
Peg 38 Steve Jackson 9-6 2nd in section
Peg 40 John Utting 3-6
Peg 42 Mark Radford 16-12 1st in section
Peg 48 Leo Martin 2-11
Keith had a long match with 4 fish caught in last ¾ hour to gave him his weight. Fishing to both side reeds, long short pole most of the match his fish came in last 45 minutes revisiting a ground bait swim however instead of holding back against the tow, he let it flow and the float dipped 4 times for a couple of F1s and skimmers. Well done Keith
Joe on peg 7 caught our matches first fish on his first chuck on his rod. Joe also alternated long, short pole and rods. His main success came of a short 2+2 pole line. The fish seemed to come along in short spells and then disappear again. Another brown envelope for Joe who is having a productive time as a guest with us and all without his personal coach Scott to mentor and guide him.
Paul on point peg 9 also fished long, Short Pole lines and rods. 2 fish throughout the match and then 2 in close succession in last 30 minutes having cast his bomb and corn over a bomb line set up in front of him. Well done Paul.
On point peg 14 Tracey fished his pole to various lengths and lines. His success came mostly off long pole with very intermittent bites. A solid patient performance pole fishing once again, maggot main successful bait.
Peg 16 saw league leader Lewis in residence. The fish evaded Lewis this week and after a hard match a couple of F1s were his reward.
Peg 23 saw Jasper who full of confidence after his success qualifying for a big money final Thursday put this to good use to win the match and "3 ounce" an inform Joe. This is down to switching to his pole and maggot as a last resort and with cold shaking hands managing to add 4 small roach to his F1s for a Match win. Congratulations once again.
On the Laurels side arm saw Jacko, John Utting and Mark Radford, with Jacko coming 2nd in section, Mark patiently fishing short pole most of his day for 1st in section and John on point struggling most of day for a couple of fish on his rod.
Peg 48 and point peg saw yours truly. Last time I fished this arm there was 2 inch of ice to break and I am sure I caught more that day than this. Plumbing up the depth as about 2.5 feet deep all over the peg, even below the tree to the right of the platform. I'm not sure where the depth has gone as it used to be a deep water peg. Speaking to Paul pre match he agreed to let me chuck across to the reeds in the top right hand corner. ( what a nice man Paul is). This gave me 50% of the bay to chuck into. Bomb and bread first, Bomb and corn next which took up the first of a cold hour. Next a small micro cage feeder with groundbait and double maggot on the hook. 3rd cast and rod swept around for a welcome chunky F1 which must have weighed 2 -10. No more bites so onto pole line and double maggot. After 20 minutes float was twitching, and I thought it was F1s. a couple of dips but no fish at business end of my pole rig. Nothing else so I went back on rods. Tried this pole line 3 times with similar results before the mystery was revealed much to my disgust. Small roach were the culprits which were not as long as the stem on my float. Sacked this line off big style. Tried long pole line for no bites all time. Rods it was for rest of match. I did have another bite chucking long to reed line in top corner with double maggot and ground bait in cage feeder but after hooking the fish it came off whilst still ¾ way across the bay. Grrr.
Most consistent bites of the day came from a pied wagtail who preferred white maggots over pink and flouro and although feeding at both side of my peg the left hand side was preferred. At least it passed some time feeding him.
It was very cold and wet today with the wintery rain. We also had a hail shower before setting up. Skin on hands and fingers were as though they had been submerged in water most of day. Heated socks on, hand warmers in use and still got hot aches whilst I type this note.
Massive well done to everyone sticking it out till the end of the match. Although the nights are drawing out it does not feel ready yet to extend the match timings due to temperatures and poor fish feeding habits.
Really interested on on your take on the match and baits used.
Massive thanks to Jasper running the show and also Lewis weighing in again. No bad back this week mate.
Next winter league match is 8th March on strip lake. This has been probably most consistent of the complex lakes recently so here's hoping for some full nets.
Wrinkly knock up matches are at Springvale on February 22nd (places are still available) and 1st March on Strip lake roadside only, 1 spare place available for this one . Please be in touch if interested.