Massive Mainline Brace!!! 16th June, 2012

With over 15years of using bait from Mainline and with a whole host of big-carp captures under his belt, David Chancellor, one of our many supporting anglers, has been in contact following this fantastic result! Over to David to take up the story:

"Having only joined the new Essex club water this year I was faced with the familiar problem of where to start and what to do. I decided to adopt my own approach but combine it with bits of knowledge obtained from some very helpful existing members. It seemed clear to me that the fish moved around the lake a great deal so I decided to look for what seemed to be likely patrol routes. Once a few spots had been selected I decided to adopt a bait and wait tactic introducing bait to the spots over a two week period but not actually fishing the spots until I was confident that the carp had at least seen bait in the area and hopefully picked a few up. My confidence was boosted when on my third visit I noticed several fish moving over the spots and further more I had managed to nick a few handsome specimens to 38.08lb on the new Mainline prototype bait from other spots. I made arrangement to return to the lake as soon as possible on the off chance that I could get on the spots.

Returning a few days later I managed to acquire a preferred swim and initially fired in 4 kilos of fresh bait with no intention of casting out for several hours. Once all the gear was set up I sat patiently watching the water but as time ticked by I grew ever more anxious towards what might just lay in wait for me out there. It wasn’t long before temptation got the better of me and all three rods were positioned with varying presentations. Later in the day activity over the baited area became apparent with the odd fish showing and occasional line bite. A huge fish head and shouldered directly over the middle rod as I prepared my evening meal giving me that inevitable feeling of pending success.

As darkness drew in I was somewhat surprised that nothing had materialised as I was sure the fish were out there and feeding. As I pulled up the zip on my sleeping bag and settled into that semi-conscious world of total fulfilment I was startled by the welcoming sound of buzzer action. Not a great run it has to be said but as the bobbin hovered on a tight line I pulled into what seemed like a sunken bath tub laden with cement. Nothing happened for a while as the rod lay hooped over with me peering into the darkness trying to establish some movement in the tip. A few thuds and kicks later and she was off, a slow but weighty run to my left but side-wards pressure corrected that move. A bit like a game of chess the battle went on each move made by the fish being countered by the appropriate action. Eventually the old girl kited close in to my left resulting in a submerged tip in an attempt to clear the overhanging bushes which may have offered her a place of refuge. Bush negotiated and under the tip she slid over the net cord with relative ease, she was mine. It wasn’t until I went to lift my prize out the water that I realized just how big this fish may be and I was right, at 49.08lb a truly magnificent old warrior.

During the rest of the night and early morning there was no let up with me landing a beautiful common of 33.00lb and other mirrors of 32.14lb, 31.00 and 21.00lb. I continued to feed the new Mainline bait throughout until I had run out, 8 kilos over 24 hours may sound like a lot but fish of over forty pounds will soon mop up and clear off especially when they have competition from other fish. I believe it is vitally important to keep a constant flow of bait into your swim all be it at appropriate times such as after landing a fish.

By about 7.30am and following no action for a few hours I thought that maybe my time had passed and with no more bait to kick start another feeding frenzy I was ready to call it a day. Contemplating which rod to reel in first the middle rod let rip, an absolute screamer, totally different to the runs I had received during the night. As I pulled into the fish my Fox Horizon Titanium was practically torn from my grasp as the fish powered off towards the middle of the lake. To my disbelief the fish just kept going and going taking 40 to 50 yards of line on its initial run and believe me I don’t mess about, this fish was powerful. After stripping out so much line the underwater juggernaut turned to left and ploughed up the lake giving me the chance to apply some sidewards pressure and win back a bit off line. The fight went on for about 15 minutes and to be honest I don’t know who was winning for a time but I wasn’t going to give up and applied every little trick that I know to tire out this obviously big old kipper. During the battle I had been joined by two fellow members and we all waited patiently for that first glimpse of scaly flesh. The battle was nearly won when those sacred words “It’s a really big one” were heard!! Now why is it that at this point we see fit to back off as if giving your opponent every last chance to get free? The last few moment seemed to take forever having somewhat relinquished my position in the battle but composure was gathered and she finally graced my net. I can’t possibly repeat the words that were exchanged in conversation as we unhooked and weighed my second huge fish, surely it couldn’t be bigger than the first? It was and at 51.00lb the old lady was more than I could have possibly wished for and combined with the 49.08lb, 3 thirties and a twenty, well it just doesn’t get any sweeter than that!

A massive thank you goes out to Mainline in amply assisting me with this capture with a fantastic new bait and to all the existing syndicate members who have made me feel so welcome and not a jellied eel in sight!"