A Move To The Dark Side - Written by Geoff Rauf

I’d had enough of watching the lads in the know fishing at distance, and reaping the rewards. I own a lovely set of Century NG rods however they would not reach the hot spots in many of these swims. Even though it went against everything I was determined not to do (by following the pack), this week the weakness took over and I plunged into a world of 4.5oz leads, 50Ib shockleader, helicopter rigs, casting gloves and single hook baits.

There was no guarantee using long distance rods would ensure a fish on the bank. But at least now the option was open to fish where they were showing, and I would have the capacity to hit these spots. The rods in question weren’t a top class name in the carping world, however reading many of the forums they received solid feedback. ‘Maver’ are well established in producing match fishing tackle, but also produce affordable carp gear with a track record of being reliable and well built.

Most of the chaps were using Free Spirit Hi-S 200 rods built as casting tools, although a few had opted for medium action spod rods which did the same thing. Being a classy sort of guy with little money I had gone with the Maver Genesis spod rod. Rated at between 4.5 and 5Ib t/c these beasts had a surprisingly forgiving tip action, yet insane power. The spec suggested they would launch more than a 6oz spod a long way, and so this week I divulged to the dark side amid a hailstorm of abuse from what I’d affectionately called the long distance losers.

This Friday was to be my last session and while I was really looking forward to it, in the back of my mind was the thought of two weeks with my girlfriend, away from the dam place in 35 degree heat sitting on a beach. In all fairness I wasn’t completely leaving my fishy nature behind because packed in my suitcase was a 6ft stalking rod for a bit of harbour tiddler fishing.

I arrived Friday afternoon and set off down the track of doom, the weather was overcast with the threat of rain looming. That south westerly had turned easterly so the decision to set up in the Helipad wasn’t a difficult one. Once camp blanker was erect (behave), I proceeded to put the new rods to the test. Was this the start of something special? With finger stall, 4oz lead, helicopter rig and small white 10mm pop up I attempted to launch towards the far bank near the entrance to a bird island channel.

WHOOOOSH, the cast had landed at around 150 yrds which wasn’t bad for my first divulge into long distance losing. I knew that they would do more, but was happy with the spot right on the edge of a plateau at around 10ft. The lead thumped down. The other two rods were placed in familiar spots close in, and a liberal scattering of boilie fired over them.

As I sat back in the bivvy I contemplated the pub chuck definition. Was I pub chucking by lobbing a single bait at range, and hoping the fish would be within these channels? I concluded that seeing as the previous weeks had produced bugger all, this wasn’t pub chucking at all, just trying something different…hmm. Going off on another rant for the moment I sometimes wonder if underneath that water there is a channel of M25 style carpy routes. Carp would pass by the same routes each day and say good morning to each other, then talk of the best baits available in certain swims. I can envisage it now “morning Bert, there’s some nice 18mm down in the bay swim, I had them for breakfast”, “yes Bert, I saw those just avoid the one with the size 8 raptor and you’re be dandy”!

Perhaps they even have a carp radio station with daily updates on areas to avoid. “Morning all you scaly folk out there, there has been a multi catch on the tree swim where three carp where caught in the early hours of this morning”, residents are advised to avoid the area”…hmmm.

Friday night had passed without so much as a bleep, so after the usual cuppa and slice of toast (Marmite compulsory), I went for a walk to check out the other swims and do a bit of fish spotting. Thirty minutes later I was in camp blanker having seen nothing. The weather today was overcast with drizzle which in my opinion isn’t bad carpy conditions.

Into Saturday afternoon after performing open heart surgery on my old faith fox alarms (now on their last legs) all three rods were at range. A mate who had popped down to see the new broomsticks, and who has had casting lesson from Mark Hutchinson launched them to the horizon. Using his laser sighted range finder we confirmed that distance to be just under170 yrds, (impressive for spod rods costing £49.99).

Saturday night nothing was heard or seen, and by Sunday morning I was up early watching the mist dissipate off the water when my right hand rod emit one of those noises associated with a fish…BEEEP, Shocked (as I’d not experienced this in some time) upon checking the rod tip it was swinging around. As I lifted the rod my heart sank, and a barrage of swearing began as I felt the light resistance, and disturbance linked to Mr Mallard.

So, fellow blankers in 2010 after twenty four nights, five hundred and seventy six hours of fishing (not counting two years of blanking previously), I left the lake that Sunday morning having blanked once again, and to cap things off nicely, after being unhooked the duck wouldn’t even stay still for a photo.

I will now be away from the lake for two weeks, but won’t be back till Saturday the 9th October. Things by then will have changed, the temperatures will have dropped, and this can change the whole make up of the lake. Deep water swims become the hot spots, and so my way of fishing can reap rewards, at least it has done in previous years. The battle will commence to secure these deep water swims as they become more popular, and so my challenges will change. Will I give up? No chance, the Pub Chucker title is a bit of a joke, but to blank for over two years means this is getting personal, very personal.