Working Mans Club #10 – Josh Bennett

Next was a social with the guys from work. It was really hot again, the temperatures pushing into the 30s and as such it was again going to be zigs. I did try off the bottom, but the zig rigs yet again proved to be the most effective. My zig set-up was as before; a length of Avid zig line to a small size 8 wide gape. To this, I used a small zig aligner and a piece of black and red foam. This was soaked in scent from hell and it received a quick spray just before being cast out. The social went well, but the fishing was slow. The fish had only just spawned, but I did manage three fish in just over 24 hours, so not too bad.

The syndicate had opened again a week or so later and the fish turned up off the back of the wind. It took me a few hours to realise, but once I did, my preferred combination of bait hit the respective spots and we were in business. I lace the boilies and pellet with numerous liquids. I like the combination of liquid fish, crustacean liquid and C-stim, followed by some oil, usually the hot fish oil. I then add a little C-stim powder or stick mix to dust it lightly, almost adding layers of attraction to the bait. It really is a dark, sticky mess, but works for me.

After this I had yet another match with my good friend Adam. It was to be held at B1 at Linear, somewhere I’ve not done any time on really; a few days here and there some 10 years ago! We had plenty of information though and again plenty of walking got the brain ticking. We arrived nice and early on Friday morning and gathered for the draw. As the names began to get read out, we wondered if our name was even in the hat and eventually, 18th out of a possible 20, we were allowed to pick one of only three swims left.

We laughed as we trotted off to the middle of the causeway at yet more terrible luck with draws! However, whilst I got to work with the marker, Adam clipped the rods up and the oiled machine that is our partnership got into first gear. We toiled throughout the afternoon heat, picking up a couple of fish on zigs again. As the evening wore on, I deposited a good helping of the aforementioned mixture to the spot and sat back. At 11 pm the first take signalled on my right hand rod. From there, the same rod was to go three more times. Try as we might, we just couldn’t get another rod in on the action. Three rods were placed within feet of each other and it was the same rod each time. The action stopped abruptly at 4 am, almost like a switch had been flicked and again, we spent the day toiling hard. We were rewarded with one more fish and going into the last night, needed the spot to fire up again. Thankfully, with another 3kg of bait, it did. The first bite was almost the same time as the previous night and with so little sleep, it was a tough thought knowing it was probably going to kick off again. Yet again the fish showed and began to feed throughout the night. By 4am we were six fish to the good and pushing for a podium spot.

We couldn’t believe it with our draw and swim choice, but none the less we again tried hard for a bonus fish. It wasn’t to be sadly and by only 2lb 2oz, we came fourth. The match is a series, so we have another round coming up in an effort to reach the final. With some nice fish from a poor area, I’d hope that with some better luck we can get on the fish and push for the final. We were knackered after the match such was our efforts, but somehow I left the lake and worked a night shift. Mad I know. Plenty more to come this summer though, with both matches and some enjoyable personal fishing on the horizon. I will as ever, keep you posted.

Take care.
Josh