chrisjpainter Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 (edited) A bad night's sleep is always eased by a bit of fishing. As I was already awake at 5:30am, I thought I'd steal a couple of hours out on the yak fishing. The plan was non existent, so I ambled down to the river and hit the weir section of the Thames near me. It was a lovely morning despite the lack of sun. I reached the weir pools at 6am and got the lures ready, planning to target pike. I've been reaping rewards on a Hard Eel in the last few weeks, so that got the honour of the first casts. Nothing. And nothing on the next couple of tries, including some small lures on which I've bagged a decent pike from that same pool. After half an hour of just one take (but no fish) I swapped to something more fishlike: a sinking slider that's accounted for a fair few pike. After just a few turns on the first cast, bam - this time I was in At first I assumed it was a jack pike, but somehow it felt different. As I got it to the boat, it became clear, this was no pike! A personal best chub on lures at 4lb10oz! I was totally made up over it, and it gave me a chance of the Holy Trinity of lure fish: Pike, perch and chub, something I've never achieved in a single session. A few more casts produced nothing, so it was back to fist choice Hard Eel, cast into the fast flow. Immediate success as a jack hit it within 5 seconds of splash down. It was no monster at 6lb, but that's two out of three. Alas, i knocked the settings on the camera, so I have no picture for that one. A change down to small grubs was in order to bag a perch, and a few casts later, I got the familiar rapid head shakes of stripey himself. Cue the fist pumps and celebrations - only to have it drop off the hook within inches of the net. Curses. Time was pressing, so a change of destination and a bit of luck was in order. The lock was open, so I sneaked in. Once again, the first cast did the trick and a nice 1lb 8oz perch made it into the net. Three fish in, Holy Trinity nailed and a great sight of a hobby hunting swifts to boot, so two hours very well spent. Sometimes, sleeplessness has its upsides Edited July 9, 2016 by chrisjpainter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 a great start to the day, the perch is such a handsome fish ! mind you the chub aint bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 Well done , some nice fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Keeper Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 Happy days fella thanks for the effort of doing a wright up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul taylor Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 Now that's a great and memorable way to start the day. Well done Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 What a lovely way to fish. Congratulations on getting all 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon Paul Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Wilderness systems Tarpon 120?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 cracking perch that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted July 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Wilderness systems Tarpon 120?? You, sir, are a geek! That is some mighty fine kayak I.D.! Impressive. It's a great boat. I'm only really just getting myself together with it. I bought it in September, but the winter was so wet and windy that it was a job to hone my skills. Then of course the river season closed. Do you kayak fish too? there must be some decent stuff down your way, especially in the sea. I've had a couple of trips in the sea but, whilst it was definitely sea, the conditions were more like a calm lake on a summer's day, despite being in Wales in November... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon Paul Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Haha. Thanks! I have one myself & recognised the front hatch. I only bought mine back in late November. This is what I get up to on mine.... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6smX_13lkXE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted July 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Well, that's just showing off! How is yours in the sea? I bought mine with that in mind as well as the rivers. It's a pity I'm so far from the it! My girlfriend lives in Dorset though, so I'm hoping to take it down there at some point. Are you a member of a club or anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon Paul Posted July 13, 2016 Report Share Posted July 13, 2016 It's great. Like all small craft in open water, you just need to always be aware of tides & wind direction before you set off. It's great at anchor, I find it really stable. Yes, very lucky with my location. Have lots of great sea fishing spots in a 20 minute drive from home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeds chimp Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 cant beat being on the river at that time in the morning with no one else about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.