[Mike Kennard]

So with Dave and Alex arranging to fish this weekend and me not being able to make it, I thought I would make amends by having few hours today. I wasn't sure what to expect after not fishing for bass for a quite a few weeks and the last trip in an absolute howler of a gale. Today by comparisom was almost perfect conditions, almost no wind and overcast. Not bad so far.
The place I was going to fish is about a mile and a half from where I live so I decided to walk! So much bad weather lately I thought it would give me chance to explore some other marks as I wasn't confident of catching.
I set up my new rod, a custom Lamiglas 3 piece popping rod, Certate 2500 with 10lb Fireline and started with an Ima Gene 110. It seemed a bit odd to start with, the lure went where I cast it!!!! The last few weeks have been a case of casting as far up wind as you can in the hope that it would land where I wanted it to!!!! Today is was going where I wanted it to...... weird.
After fishing for about half an hour with absolutely no signs of baitfish, no seagulls working or anything I thought it would be good to see how the new rod worked with some other favourite lures so on went a Daiwa Chugger Minnow 12 in laser green shiner. It cast very well too. That was about as much excitement as I expected today so that was a bonus. After about 5 mins I had a pretty savage take and after about 4 seconds it came off!!!! A few clicks on the drag showed that was working ok. I saw the fish in the clear water. A big white belly flash showed it to be a fish of about 4 to 5lb. A shame it didn't stay hooked.
No more signs of fish in that spot so kept moving along the bank. I tried a 'hot spot' (if there is such a thing) but no more signs of life other than disturbing a kingfisher! If you see this venue, you will not believe how surreal it is to see one of those.
Time to start walking back. Another change of lure, the time to a Daiwa Saltiga Minnow 12 in laser sardine. Hmmm, that cast a bit further than the other one. After about 5 mins and bit further long take number 2!!! This is supposed to be December! Two takes in one trip? After a few mins a nice bass of about 2 pounds had christened the new rod. Not a monster but well pleased all the same.
A few more changes of lures as I walked back including a bit of soft plastic action but no more takes. I saw the kingfisher twice more on the way back. Amazing.
In total I was out of the house about 3 hours so a nice way to spend some of the day.
I took a couple of pics but haven't loaded any on to here yet so will try and get them up here at some point.

 

[Steve Payne]

well done on the fish and a nice report.
i am hoping to get out friday and saturday if the weather stays calm.

 

[Simon L]

Lovely report . . . .very encouraging for the weekend!! Great effort !!!

 

[Mick Ward]

Nice one Mike, shame the first one fell off. Why was the Kingfisher there? There must be baitfish in the water surely? I bet that getting one and losing one in Dec woke you up a bit, just shows you eh, you never know.

 

[Tim Griffin]

Mike, I can't fish either this weekend and I have to go to London next week so I am not sure I will get one last go at them like you! Well done for getting out and catching on the new rod though. Beats job-hunting I guess?!

 

[Dave Irving]

Damn good work Saltiga,
As you have said it looks like there are still some bass about (YIPPEEE!!), and having seen the bass you landed (nice fish), it is a cracking way to christen your new rod.
Good to see the daiwa lures are working, so did you have any luck on the TD Pencil??

 

[Ben Field]

Yessssss!! good work! There's hope for us all yet!!

 

[Mike Kennard]

Damn good work Saltiga,
As you have said it looks like there are still some bass about (YIPPEEE!!), and having seen the bass you landed (nice fish), it is a cracking way to christen your new rod.
Good to see the daiwa lures are working, so did you have any luck on the TD Pencil??

I tried the TD Pencil for about ten minutes. Unfortunately, due to the lack of wind there was weed and a few bits of debris on the top so I couldn't work it without getting hung up each cast. I am sure there was just as much chance of catching on the top as two feet down. All it will take is a little bit of breeze to clear the rubbish of the top and away we go........

I read your earlier post about ultra light. I was thinking the same things on the walk home. The water is fairly clear, the fish have slowed odwn a bit due to the temperature dropping so fishing lighter might give us an edge. I will try it next time I go. The only problem is that the fish were a fair way out making casting with light plugs very difficult so maybe a small metal lure will be better. I will try the finesse rod with 6lb Fireline to start with and let you know if I do any good.

 

[Andrew Wilson]

Well done Mike, brilliant to read a catch report with catching involved, gives us all hope

 

[Marc D...]

well done Mike, and as your new name suggests, those "saltiga" lures take some beating for the price don't they? great report..

 

[Alex Jordan]

Thanks Mike - thought you might sneak out ... well done!
Speculate to accumulate or as my brother says - time in the water ... you don't catch nowt sitting indoors talking about it!