CUDMORE FISHERIES National Angling Centre

CATCH REPORTS BY SHANE BILLINGS

My 48hr session on the Specimen Pool Tara at Cudmore Fisheries

I arrived at Cudmore at 9.40am & after introducing myself to the staff I took a walk around the pool itself to choose my spot to fish. Every swim on the pool looked fantastic with various features to fish to.

I met up with George Crisp & had a short conversation with him as I was setting up I couldn’t wait to start fishing!!!!

My main targets were to be carp & catfish with a possibility of a pike or two, a good combination for any specimen fisherman!!

After spending a few hours catching live bait from the pool I stopped for a bite to eat & to take in the views & to soak up some sun.........the pool was alive with carp basking & crashing, the fishing conditions were not perfect but I was optimistic as always, I expected the fish to come on the feed early evening.

With rods baited I’m ready for action! One with a new boilie (Chilli Boilie from Chapel Baits) supplied by George & the other with a dumbell rig for the cats & pike. For those who haven’t heard of a dumbell rig it’s a method to fish live baits just under the surface, an excellent method for catfish.

19/4/11.....4.45pm the carp have stopped crashing out of the water, at 5.15pm there’s a bit of interest on the carp rod but nothing developed. At 6.20pm my cat rod alarm sounded which resulted in my first fish, a pike of 5lb stunning to look at, a quick photo & weight recorded then straight back into Tara.

At 7pm the carp rod screamed off, this was an impressive 8lb mirror carp, again a really well conditioned fish safely returned (proof that this new boilie George and Chapel are developing is working!)

At 9.45pm,an hour into darkness the cat rod was in again, this time i knew it was a cat & after about 10 minutes getting it into the net fantastic a 10lb Wels catfish!!

Between 10pm & 1.10am i had two missed runs on the carp rod & one hooked but lost on the dumbell rig.

20/4/11.....6am the cat rod was off again this time it was another pike weighing 5lb 4oz.

7.40am carp rod screamed off but i never connected...Damn!!!! I then spent 45 minutes catching fresh live bait & repositioning my cat rod.

At 9.15am the cat rod screamed off & I knew this was a decent fish 30lb plus....after a 15 minute battle I had it on the bank, I was over the moon as at 35lb 8oz this stunning Wels this turned out to be my new personal best what a cat, fantastic !!!!

All went quiet for the next few hours so took advantage & made a brew & had a bite to eat.

12 noon interest in the carp rod again?

12.30 in again on the carp rod but lost it halfway during the battle, made alteration to the rig then cast back over the baited area, there was a good breeze over the right side of the pool the temperature was still very hot though.

3.35pm lost fish on the cat rod.

4.15pm another fish on the bank a 6lb pike.

7.30pm 10lb pike in the net.

7.40pm 3lb jack pike, photo’s taken quickly & returned.

10.30pm missed run on carp rod.

All went quiet so decided to get some shut eye!

2.35am cat rod alarm screamed off again, I knew I had connected with a good fish but this was no cat, it was a pike & after 10 minutes i had him on the scales for a weight of 20lbs 4oz.......well happy!!!!

Returned to my bivvie to try & get some more shut eye.

8.45am i was into a carp & after 10 mins a mirror of 15lbs was mine this new boilie is fishing its socks off!

9.00am another pike of 10lb!!!

I started to pack my gear away but left my rod in until last thing, glad I did cause i landed another pike weighing 8lb!!!

I’d like to thank George Crisp & all the staff at Cudmore for a most memorable fishing session & I’ll be visiting again very soon!!!!!

                                       All the very best Shane Billings