Well where to start?
I suppose at the beginning would be a as good a place as any!
Some 10 weeks ago I asked Nigel Harrhy how to fish Bloodworm and Joker on his Lake.He gladly helped me out a couple of times and went though everything I needed to get me started including rigs, bait preparation and rulings for the matches that had been fished to CIPS on the lake.
I also have to thank Ian Didcote too, as he has been massive, and I mean massive help to me over the past couple of weeks. He has shown me how to set up the waggler for fishing large distances properly. Showed me the rigs I need to use for most conditions from 0.3gm rigs, to huge 2gm rigs if the weather was awful and Waggler’s from 6grm to a mighty 18grm’s in weight. Nigel’s shown me how to use a groundbait catty and even how to ball the pole line in properly…..I have been well looked after in the running up to the Final.
I started by fishing a few of the remaining rounds on the winter league that had been run at Barston fishing B&J and i had some success with a 2nd and 5th in section. Whilst sitting in the clubhouse enjoying a pint and some chicken wings, a team happened to mention in passing that they might be a team member short for the Sensas Final. Nigel sitting next to me immediately suggested that I fish, and I leapt at the opportunity.I was told the event would be an excellent experience and I would be fishing against some of the very best anglers from around the country and abroad. Thus started my week of preparation and numerous phone calls to Ian Didcote…He must have got so many I think he needed to charge for the information! Cheers again mate.
The Sensas Challenge Final brings together some of the best Anglers and Teams in the country to fish in 24 teams of 5 over two venues and two days.The venues are Barston’s main lake and Packington Somers Moland and Geary’s Lakes. The challenge is fished to CIPS rules. This involves pole limits of just 13m, 4 hour duration for the match and the use of Bloodworm and Joker with copious amounts of groundbait and leam, a further 3 pints of live bait, 1 pint of which must be the joker.The preparation for this event has in time personally taken me a week to prepare, from tying rigs, hook lengths, changing elastics, hunting down extra match top 3s (thanks Pebs and Tony), getting groundbait and other odds and ends, and even pinching Nigel’s groundbait catapult! Cheers mate.
Borrowing extra buckets from my good mate and fishing partner Darren Fisher and even his barrow as BNF’s still got mine…..I’ve also raided my local tackle shops for all their stock of Sensas Lake 3000, Roach 3000, Bait Techs Super G green and Dynamite Baits Swimstim Black and Green groundbaits, and umpteen bags of leam. I didn’t want to leave anything to chance and wanted it all ready in case I drew the areas I wanted.Now, I had done this all during the week, keeping a close eye on the weather and finding out as much as I could about the venues and considering my options.
I think the Mrs was getting a little annoyed at the amount of time I spent in the garage messing about with my fishing tackle and trying to get everything right or at least to the best of my ability.Having never taken part in an event like this I was told that I would be shattered by the end of it, so I thought nothing of it. Especially since I hadn’t had to rush anything as it was all done during the week….oh how wrong could I be!
Come the Thursday before the Match, I asked Ian Didcote about how much groundbait to mix, bait limits and anything else I needed to do. Instead of trying to explain it all to me he said why don’t I meet him first thing in the morning and we can do the bait together. So on went the battery charger for my drill, all the buckets, 2 poles, 35 top kits, spare sections, 4 waggler rods, landing nets, barrow, bait, stacks of rigs, carryall, and all the other bits and pieces I thought I would need went into the car the night before.
I was like a kid at Christmas that evening. I was restless, couldn’t sleep and when the alarm went off signalling 6am on the morning of the first day, I literally jumped out of bed and into the shower buzzing with excitement for the day ahead. Come 6.30am I was in the car on my way to Barston’s clubhouse for a breakfast and to meet Mr Didcote at 7.15am in the car park to sort out bait.On arrival I noticed that there had been an overnight frost which really surprised me. The day promised to be warmer with the sun just starting to get some warmth in it.
After finding Ian, we got to mixing our groundbaits. He advised on two different mixes: one for the waggler line and one for the pole line for Barston, and then one for Packington should I draw over there. He recommended I mix each one separately, and then I can always share the fishmeal in the two mixes to suit the lake I would end up on.My waggler mix comprised of Dynamite Baits Swimstim green and black, a bag of each and then half a bag of sensas roach 3000. My pole line mix would be one bag of Sensas lake 3000, half a bag of Roach 3000 and a bag of Sensas leam. These would act as the base mix for both days.
I was also advised that you are only allowed 3 pints of other baits, so one pint would have to be taken up with the joker, and that left me two pints to play with. I decided to take a pint of casters each day and a pint of chopped worm. These have to be measured out and then checked by the angler on the next peg when you start setting up. You are also allowed a 17 litre groundbait limit. I only took 10 litres to each match and this was plenty.
Onto the draw.
After what seemed an eternity we received our draw and I was told I was on Packington Somers Moland’s lake peg 37, which at the time meant nothing to me as I had never seen the venue, let alone the lake. The draw took place at 9am and we were not allowed on the peg till 10am.I drove to the venue, found my peg and had a quick walk round to see what I could expect. The venue is a lovely looking place with an island in front of me perhaps only 20m away. I had been drawn a peg where the island was at it's closest. This meant it would be very hard to catapult groundbait onto a waggler line. I had some reeds to my right about six sections along the bank and a spare peg to my left. I had the pleasure of Lee Kerry’s company as he was on my right, and I have to say what a nice guy and one hell of an angler.
Lee's groundbait mixes were completely different to mine upon inspection. His comprised of sweet Sonu baits fishmeal, and were a light green colour, whereas mine were a very dark colour and with a very heavy fishmeal base. I thought it would be interesting as to who would catch and what stamp of fish. So all my baits were laid out in the 1 pint bait tubs on my car’s tail gate whilst I waited for 10am to come so I could start setting up. My tackle had been laid on the ground next to the peg, my pole roller was out and set up on the road and I whisked my groundbait again to make sure it was ready to go.
At last 10am came and the 2 hours setting up time began. I had set up 8 top 3s with 4 with number 5 elastics, and 4 with soft set number 6 elastics all through the top 3. These all had rigs from 0.4grm floats to a 1 gram in case the wind got up. I plumbed up 3 lines. 1 at 13m in front of me slightly to my left, this had a 0.4grm float, a 0.6grm float and 1grm float set ups, all on 0.12mm line to 0.08mm hooklengths and size 20 black gamma hooks. One at the base of the shelf at 6 sections slightly to my right. This was set up with a 0.6grm float 0.12mm line to a 0.08mm hooklength and size 20 gamma black and another rig next to the stick ups this was 6 sections down to my right and comprised of a top 3 with number 6 elastic matched to 4x12 float, 0.12mm line to a 0.10mm hooklength and a size 18 Milo T213 hook. This had bigger fish in mind. I tightened the number 6 for this line so as to set the hook a little better.
I also set up a Daiwa Tournament 13ft match rod with 3lb main line, a 1.5grm cralusso light rocket waggler with a carbon insert, a 0.12mm hooklength and size 16 hook for the waggler swim some 18m in front of me. This would be in case I was struggling on the pole. Once everything was set up it was time to tidy the peg up a little as there were spare pole sections everywhere, rig boxes open and cool bags that needed putting away. Tony had arrived by then and offered a little nerve calming advice and told me to get myself into gear. After tidying up it was time to get my bait checked by the angler next to me, Lee Kerry happily obliged. After this there were 20 minutes to go before the 5 minute pre baiting period.
Time to separate the joker, riddle the leam off and the groundbait, add the casters, chopped worm and corn to the mixes and start to form the balls of groundbait. The pre baiting period is the only time you are allowed to put in 2 handed formed balls of groundbait, after this you have to form the balls in one hand if you want to top up. I formed 8 balls of heavy fishmeal and 2 double leam and joker rich balls for the 13m line. I then made 6 sensas lake and leam jaffas and 1 double leam and joker rich ball for the 6m line and 1 heavy fishmeal ball for the margin line, but this would have double the amount of casters and worm in it.
Off went the hooter to signal the pre-baiting period, and as I wasn't confident enough to ball all this in by hand, I cupped in every ball in this 5 minute period. God my arms were tired! I had also formed 15 single handed sausage shaped balls for the waggler line and these went out to an area the size of a small car by the island. So that was that and it was time to get the rig baited up and into the water. I decided to start at 13m as it just felt like the right thing to do. On went a single bloodworm on the 0.4grm rig, set just an inch off the deck, and within 30 seconds it slid away and a small skimmer was on its way to the net. Was this the sign of things to come?
I carried on catching a small skimmer, roach and odd small perch a chuck for the next 30 minutes, putting perhaps a kilo and a half in the net. At around the 40 minute mark I struck into a much better fish and the Preston slip number 5 elastic got it under control after a short tussle and an F1 of about 8oz graced my landing net.
I decided then to try the slightly heavier rig to lay the rig on the deck by an inch to see if the better fish had arrived, I was immediately rewarded with a slightly better skimmer and another 6oz F1, then the swim went a little quiet. This was my cue to have a look on the inside line.
Again on went a single bloodworm and I was rewarded with a roach and a small skimmer, then a small F1…things were looking good. I was catching just as quickly as all the other guys I could see. I decided although early I needed to have a look on my line next to the stick ups. This had been calling to me from the off and just screamed fish! Tony had by now given an update to the MFS website (http://www.matchfishing-scene.com.uk/) on how I was doing, and had wandered off to see how the others were getting on in the section and to see what had been caught and where I was respectively in the section.
On went a small segment of worm onto my heavier margin rig and I lowered it into position. The rig had just settled when it slid under and the number 6 elastic shot out of the pole and I steered the better fish away from the reeds. After a 2 minute battle a tench of around 2 lb lay in my landing net…bonus!I decided it was worth another look on this line so again slipped on another segment of worm and went straight over the swim again. I didn’t want to re-feed just in case there was something else there, and to my surprise the float slid away again and a 6oz F1 was added to the keepnet. This happened another couple of times with small F1s coming to the net. After around 20 minutes on this line I had added another 2 and half kilos to my weight.
With an hour and a half gone I reckon I had some 4 kilos in the net. I spent the next hour on the 13m line picking up skimmers and roach whilst leaving the re-fed margin line to settle again. In this time I added another 1.5 kilos, bringing the total to 5.5kg with 90 minutes to go. This was my cue to concentrate on the margin line again. First chuck resulted in another decent Tinca around the kilo mark grace my net, then a great big crucian some 1 kilo as well…happy days. I did lose a couple of fish after that, which unsettled me a little, so I changed the hooklength and never lost another fish. This saw me add a further 3 tench and 4 F1s to the net. The last Tench I hooked was actually 3 minutes before the end of the match, and in CIPS rules the fish has to be out of the water before the all out for it to count, unlike the 15 minute after the whistle goes on commercials. So I had to bully a near 1.5kg Tench on 6 elastic with 6 sections in the air, and just managed to get the fish out the water with about 20 seconds to go! Electric stuff…I was buzzing as I was sure I had done quite well with Tony’s updates on how the rest of the section had done. Eric Lubin from the revered Sensas 28 squad was reported to have 20 odd skimmers and I had seen Paul Downs from Starlets had also landed around half a dozen decent fish.
Packing away and waiting for the weigh net to come round my head was all in a spin with what I had done wrong and the mistakes that had cost me fish. Silly things which I would endeavour to put right the second day. My groundbait mix I thought was right for the pool and catching the stamp of fish I had I was confident it would work at Barston on the waggler line should I draw the pool the following day.
Just as I had put all my gear into the car I could see the weigh net coming round with Tony holding the board with the results on. He looked up and gave me the thumbs up. This made me smile as I knew I had beaten a few good anglers on the lower peg numbers. I walked round to greet the scalesmen about halfway up my section to watch the weigh in. I looked at the leader board, 6kg was winning the section. I was sure I had a little more than that, as my 6 Tench would go 6kg on their own. We came to Lee Kerry who was to my immediate right and his net was brought out of the water. He had caught a lot of fish, but not as many bonus fish as I had. In all honesty Lee had worked very very hard as the lack of bonus fish had seen him working like a whirlwind on the smaller fish. His fish totalled 5kg odd, so the time had come to see how well I had done. This is when Ian Didcote came round and slapped my shoulder and congratulated me on a good days fishing, as my fish totalled 12kg 140grm. It was at this point my thoughts were on perhaps winning the section, what a day that would be. So carrying on round the weights were between 5kg and 6kg. Paul Downes managed to weigh in over 10kg which did worry me when the net was pulled from the water, but thankfully it wasn’t quite enough, I had done it. I had won my section in the Sensas Challenge 2009 Final!
Well what a day. I couldn’t believe it. The weather had been great and the fishing even better. What would tomorrow bring?
Day Two.
Getting up at 5am due to the excitement from the previous day, and my dreams going into overload I had to prepare my bait, replace all the groundbait I had used the previous day and of course grab at least 2 cups of coffee.
I sat in the lounge tying up hook lengths for the waggler line and pole lines, and berating myself for losing the fish from the previous day. Don’t we all?
6.45am came and it was time to get into the car and start the 45 minute journey to Barston’s clubhouse where the draw was a little earlier today. The 45 minutes went by so quick as I was thinking so hard about the day ahead and how I would approach it, as the weather had changed a little for the worse. The wind was up from the previous day, and after arriving at the clubhouse I looked over the lake to see the wind howling across it…a shudder ran down my spine as I thought I really don’t want to be on here today. Getting my buckets out I decided on the same groundbait mixes from yesterday. I would decide what quantities of bait to take to the bank once I knew where I had drawn. Into the clubhouse for another sausage sandwich, coffee and a chinwag with the team for the second day. Now seeing as a team had ended up second overall on the previous day which was a massive achievement, a team meeting was arranged after the draw. The draw came and I saw Joff who had drawn for us come out smiling saying “You have a chance here lads, and you have a good chance to win the individual Pete!”
I had a look on the draw card and there was my name on Packington’s Geary’s peg 10, the previous days overall winning peg! Golden Balls strikes again!
Chances like this come perhaps once a lifetime, and at last it was my turn. We sat down to discuss each others pegs and what we knew about them, offering advice freely to each other to make the most of the day. Brad Titmus I have to say was an awesome help in telling me where to expect to catch. I had a plan in mind and it wasn’t far off what Brad had recommended that I do. On conclusion of the meeting we headed off to our pegs. My legs were made of Jelly as I walked to my car….Peg 10…..there were fish there yesterday, would they still be there after the yesterdays bombardment of bait?
I arrived at my peg and started to whisk my groundbait to make sure it was ok and the right consistency. I then decided on exactly the same baits as I had used the previous day except I would substitute the ½ pint of dead pinkies for another half pint of chopped worms.
I looked at my peg, it had an extremely high bank behind and meant I could only ship back 2 sections at a time before having to break down. No problem, if I stood up I could ship the pole over the lip of the bank and that should be ok for speed fishing for the roach and small skimmers if I found them.
I also had a tree that went into the water some 6 sections to my left, this was where the winner the previous day had caught from, so a chopped worm line with groundbait it would be on this line then. I also had a bramble patch to my right which overhung the water by some 4 sections. This I would feed for tench and anything else that would come along, hopefully no carp. The 13m would be fished with a Preston slip number 5 through 3 sections, I set up 3 rigs for this line, one on a gram rig some 6 inches overdepth to hold the bait still if the bigger skimmers turned up. This would feature 0.10mm line and a 0.09mm hooklength with a size 18 gamma black, or a size 18 pellet hook if the tench showed up. The second rig for this line featured a 0.6grm float set dead depth for anything that swam. This would feature 0.10mm main line with a 0.07mm hooklength and a size 20 gamma black matched to Preston number 5 elastic through 3 sections. The last rig was set 6 inches off the deck and featured a 0.4grm rig with a strung out shotting pattern, on 0.09mm line to a 0.07mm hooklength with a 20 gamma black again matched to a very soft set Preston number 5 slip elastic through 3 sections.
My left hand swim by the tree would need some beefier gear, so white hydro through a match 2 and 3 with a 0.12mm mainline and a 0.10mm hooklength and a size 18 Milo T213 hook would be complemented by a 4x12 Chianti set 3 inches overdepth. My right hand swim would see exactly the same set up but it was 6 inches shallower here. I also put two top kits with again a number 6 through 3 sections if I was only hooking skimmers, this would be a little better I thought for the softer mouths if they were bumped on the strike.
So pole lines set up, out came the waggler rod, and this was also plumbed up and set 30cms overdepth to counter the tow on the lake. The wind was starting to get up and was blowing into my bank. This I thought would bode well for some of the bigger fish to turn up. So my attentions turned to getting the bait ready. I decided that I wouldn’t feed too much joker on the inside lines but try to concentrate worm and caster with bigger fish in mind with a little groundbait. The 13m line would receive 8 balls of groundbait and 3 balls of joker rich leam alongside 3 balls of fishmeal groundbait. The two inside lines would receive 2 balls of fishmeal and one ball laced with double worm and caster. Sorted.
The next 20 minutes was spent trying to tidy the peg a little, as it was quite confined and with a rod holdall, a carryall, 3 cool bags, 3 sensas buckets, rods, pole, top kits, kitchen sink and everything else spread about it needed to be at hand if I needed anything. The wind was increasing all the time, which did get me worried a little. Des Shipp was in my section alongside Sandra Scotthorne and a couple of other big names. I was smack bang in the middle of them all, what an opportunity I had to try and do well in my section, not only for the team, but also that selfishness that resided at the back of my mind which was thinking about individual glory…if only.
So the hooter went for the pre-baiting period, this was it.
In went the 14 balls of bait on the long line and the 3 balls on each of the inside lines. I decided that I wouldn’t feed the waggler line for the moment. This gave me some doubts as what if I needed it later? I pushed this to the back of my mind and got on with trying to catch fish. Out went my light 13m rig baited with a single bloodworm. It settled and I waited and waited. 5 minutes passed and no indications. This was not looking good. So out went the 0.6grm rig with again single bloodworm and just as it settled it buried!
At last a small skimmer was flying towards me as fast as the pole would go through my hands. The number 5 elastic was perfect for this as it cushioned the fish as it was brought in and netted. Out went another single bloodworm and the same happened, another 2 oz skimmer came flying towards me. This was swung to hand now as I had my first fish in the net. This rhythm continued for the next 20 minutes with a skimmer a chuck. This was going well.
The guy next to me was also doing the same and was catching a small skimmer every chuck. Right! It was time to see if something a little better had moved in. Out went the heavier rig, 3 bloodworm on the hook. It settled and I waited 2 minutes before it slid away and 3 ft of number 5 elastic shot out of the pole as a small crucian of some 5 ounces made a bid for freedom. This was netted and out again went the heavier rig.
After 5 minutes without a bite it was back out with the lighter 0.6grm rig in search of the smaller skimmers. The next hour was spent catching small skimmers and little roach with a 6oz skimmer being the biggest fish I landed. This prompted me to try the heavier rig with 90 minutes gone, the float settled and buried! 6 ft of number 5 elastic came out the pole as a near pound skimmer flew out the water and made its bid for freedom unsuccessfully. Result!
This would be the only fish off this line for the next 20 minutes, so I re-fed this line with two hand sized balls of joker rich leam and fishmeal groundbait. It was time to search the inside lines for any bonus fish. On went a segment of worm, this was put over the left hand swim next to the tree, it settled and then buried……I struck and missed the bite…dammit!!!!!
The rig was checked and re-laid into the swim, this time it settled and sat there for 2 minutes before a liner was followed by a bite. I struck and this time it was solid resistance as a decent fish was hooked. It wandered out the swim with the typical plod of a decent skimmer, then disaster the hook pulled. I wont repeat the words I said after that!
The rig was immediately changed over to the number 6 elastic for both lines. The left hand line was re-fed with another hand sized ball of fishmeal groundbait with worm and caster in it.I had a quick look over the right hand line, but nothing was forthcoming. Back onto the recently re-fed left hand line, the float settled and immediately dipped, I struck and a twig was the culprit…Bugger!
I was getting a little frustrated now as Im sure this wouldn’t be doing this line any favours. Again hook checked and bait changed it was re-laid into the swim, this time after 2 minutes the float dipped again and finally the fish swam lazily out the swim, and kept going…doh! please don’t let this be a carp, not now I pleaded. After 5 minutes a Tench was the antagonist and the net was slipped under it and at around 1.5kg was a very welcome boost. Settled now I re-fed the line and went over the other inside line to my right, again no bites were forthcoming so it was back out to the long line. This yielded another run of very small fish, mostly gudgeon.
So with around 80 minutes to go it was back over the left hand inside line with a segment of worm. This was immediately snaffled by a skimmer of some 500grms, perfect! The same thing happened immediately afterwards too, finally the better fish had arrived. I had another 5 skimmers, all peas in a pod, all about the 500grm a piece they were good weight builders. The swim went quiet for some 10 minutes so it was re-fed along with the other inside line.
Switching to the right hand side line I noticed that the guy to my right had also fed a line to his left, some metre away from my swim, and was playing a skimmer…Right, here we go time to take the fish away, so in went another 3 hand sized balls. I immediately went over this line as I was sure the skimmers were hanging around, and just as I was about to move the rig the float slid under and a near 1kg bream was in the landing net, then another! Happy days!
The angler next to me was trying to copy my actions but wasn’t feeding a fishmeal groundbait so couldn’t drag the skimmers back from the swim. There were now only 20 minutes to go and I reckon I had some 8kg in the net. I switched to the line under the tree to my left and the float buried immediately with another 500grm skimmer, then another and another and just as the 5 minute mark left the float buried again and the last bream of about 1.5kg came to the net. My head was in a swirl, I had caught some fabulous fish in the last 40 minutes and it had rocketed me well up in my section according to the bank walkers.
As I packed up I realised I had used just about all my groundbait and 2 pints of other baits….What weight did I have? I knew I didn’t have the same weight as the day before, but it would be fairly close.
Packing away my thoughts were on who else had caught as news filtered through that Des Shipp had around 10-12kg and another angler was admitting to 10kg and another to 8 or 9kg. My own estimate was well out as I thought I had around 8 kilo at the time, as writing it makes sense as to what I had so its easier to describe the progress of the match.
Again my kit all packed away in the car, I was waiting for the scalesmen which seemed like an eternity as I was desperate to see what I had caught, but yet I didn’t want to know.
Sandra Scotthorne was the first to be weighed in on the end peg. She put 6kg on the scales and was having a little banter with Des that he had at least double that. As his net was pulled from the water I had to shut my eyes as I didn’t want to know. The weight was called out at just over 10kg. I was done for I thought. I needed to beat Des to at least have a chance to win the section. The angler to Des’s left put 9.5kg on the scales as well. I couldn’t help but feel beaten at the time as I really thought I didn’t have that sort of weight. Des then asked me what I had? Now I said I had managed 14 skimmers and a tench with some bits, he asked how big are the skimmers, I said around 14oz or there there abouts Finally the scales arrived at my peg and the fish were weighed. The wait seemed an awfully long time until 11kg 670grms was called out………..I had done it, I had beaten Des Shipp and the other big weights in the section. I was already over the moon, there was still another 5 anglers to weigh in but I didn’t care. Des however was not pleased as my 14 oz skimmers had turned into 2 ½ lb bream in the net…ahem. Well we are all like it are we not?
Obviously people being on phones, news started to filter round that I may have won my section, and possibly the final individually. I tried to blank these thoughts from my mind, as there would be nothing worse that getting myself all worked up only to be let down. As the final net was lifted from the water I knew I had won my section, I had WON my section!
My phone then started to ring and Ian Didcote asked how I had done, and I also returned the questions, he had managed a section 2nd and 4th over the two days, a very solid score considering where he had drawn. He then started to say that I had possibly won the Final……could this be? Nothing was confirmed so I said I would meet him back at the clubhouse.
After getting into my car and exiting Packington my car phone rang, it was Ian again….He said “Pete, are you sitting down? Are you driving? If you are pull over!” I did as I was bid, he then said “Pete you’ve won it, you have won it individually, let me be the first to congratulate you!” Do you ever get that feeling when nothing in the world matters, when everything turns into sheer delight?
There is just no other way of describing how I felt at this moment in time. I don’t remember the drive to the club house, my mind was wandering into nothing as I had won the Sensas Challenge Final.
Not only had I won the match individually the team I was fishing for had also had a fantastic result with everyone fishing at 110% to end up second overall, only beaten by the mighty Daiwa Dorking lads, Well done guys superb score on the second and first day totalling just 20 odd points. This meant that we as a team had qualified for the Sensas Final in France comprising of 64 teams from around Europe. Wish Team Leicester Sensas B all the luck lads!
I suppose at the beginning would be a as good a place as any!
Some 10 weeks ago I asked Nigel Harrhy how to fish Bloodworm and Joker on his Lake.He gladly helped me out a couple of times and went though everything I needed to get me started including rigs, bait preparation and rulings for the matches that had been fished to CIPS on the lake.
I also have to thank Ian Didcote too, as he has been massive, and I mean massive help to me over the past couple of weeks. He has shown me how to set up the waggler for fishing large distances properly. Showed me the rigs I need to use for most conditions from 0.3gm rigs, to huge 2gm rigs if the weather was awful and Waggler’s from 6grm to a mighty 18grm’s in weight. Nigel’s shown me how to use a groundbait catty and even how to ball the pole line in properly…..I have been well looked after in the running up to the Final.
I started by fishing a few of the remaining rounds on the winter league that had been run at Barston fishing B&J and i had some success with a 2nd and 5th in section. Whilst sitting in the clubhouse enjoying a pint and some chicken wings, a team happened to mention in passing that they might be a team member short for the Sensas Final. Nigel sitting next to me immediately suggested that I fish, and I leapt at the opportunity.I was told the event would be an excellent experience and I would be fishing against some of the very best anglers from around the country and abroad. Thus started my week of preparation and numerous phone calls to Ian Didcote…He must have got so many I think he needed to charge for the information! Cheers again mate.
The Sensas Challenge Final brings together some of the best Anglers and Teams in the country to fish in 24 teams of 5 over two venues and two days.The venues are Barston’s main lake and Packington Somers Moland and Geary’s Lakes. The challenge is fished to CIPS rules. This involves pole limits of just 13m, 4 hour duration for the match and the use of Bloodworm and Joker with copious amounts of groundbait and leam, a further 3 pints of live bait, 1 pint of which must be the joker.The preparation for this event has in time personally taken me a week to prepare, from tying rigs, hook lengths, changing elastics, hunting down extra match top 3s (thanks Pebs and Tony), getting groundbait and other odds and ends, and even pinching Nigel’s groundbait catapult! Cheers mate.
Borrowing extra buckets from my good mate and fishing partner Darren Fisher and even his barrow as BNF’s still got mine…..I’ve also raided my local tackle shops for all their stock of Sensas Lake 3000, Roach 3000, Bait Techs Super G green and Dynamite Baits Swimstim Black and Green groundbaits, and umpteen bags of leam. I didn’t want to leave anything to chance and wanted it all ready in case I drew the areas I wanted.Now, I had done this all during the week, keeping a close eye on the weather and finding out as much as I could about the venues and considering my options.
I think the Mrs was getting a little annoyed at the amount of time I spent in the garage messing about with my fishing tackle and trying to get everything right or at least to the best of my ability.Having never taken part in an event like this I was told that I would be shattered by the end of it, so I thought nothing of it. Especially since I hadn’t had to rush anything as it was all done during the week….oh how wrong could I be!
Come the Thursday before the Match, I asked Ian Didcote about how much groundbait to mix, bait limits and anything else I needed to do. Instead of trying to explain it all to me he said why don’t I meet him first thing in the morning and we can do the bait together. So on went the battery charger for my drill, all the buckets, 2 poles, 35 top kits, spare sections, 4 waggler rods, landing nets, barrow, bait, stacks of rigs, carryall, and all the other bits and pieces I thought I would need went into the car the night before.
I was like a kid at Christmas that evening. I was restless, couldn’t sleep and when the alarm went off signalling 6am on the morning of the first day, I literally jumped out of bed and into the shower buzzing with excitement for the day ahead. Come 6.30am I was in the car on my way to Barston’s clubhouse for a breakfast and to meet Mr Didcote at 7.15am in the car park to sort out bait.On arrival I noticed that there had been an overnight frost which really surprised me. The day promised to be warmer with the sun just starting to get some warmth in it.
After finding Ian, we got to mixing our groundbaits. He advised on two different mixes: one for the waggler line and one for the pole line for Barston, and then one for Packington should I draw over there. He recommended I mix each one separately, and then I can always share the fishmeal in the two mixes to suit the lake I would end up on.My waggler mix comprised of Dynamite Baits Swimstim green and black, a bag of each and then half a bag of sensas roach 3000. My pole line mix would be one bag of Sensas lake 3000, half a bag of Roach 3000 and a bag of Sensas leam. These would act as the base mix for both days.
I was also advised that you are only allowed 3 pints of other baits, so one pint would have to be taken up with the joker, and that left me two pints to play with. I decided to take a pint of casters each day and a pint of chopped worm. These have to be measured out and then checked by the angler on the next peg when you start setting up. You are also allowed a 17 litre groundbait limit. I only took 10 litres to each match and this was plenty.
Onto the draw.
After what seemed an eternity we received our draw and I was told I was on Packington Somers Moland’s lake peg 37, which at the time meant nothing to me as I had never seen the venue, let alone the lake. The draw took place at 9am and we were not allowed on the peg till 10am.I drove to the venue, found my peg and had a quick walk round to see what I could expect. The venue is a lovely looking place with an island in front of me perhaps only 20m away. I had been drawn a peg where the island was at it's closest. This meant it would be very hard to catapult groundbait onto a waggler line. I had some reeds to my right about six sections along the bank and a spare peg to my left. I had the pleasure of Lee Kerry’s company as he was on my right, and I have to say what a nice guy and one hell of an angler.
Lee's groundbait mixes were completely different to mine upon inspection. His comprised of sweet Sonu baits fishmeal, and were a light green colour, whereas mine were a very dark colour and with a very heavy fishmeal base. I thought it would be interesting as to who would catch and what stamp of fish. So all my baits were laid out in the 1 pint bait tubs on my car’s tail gate whilst I waited for 10am to come so I could start setting up. My tackle had been laid on the ground next to the peg, my pole roller was out and set up on the road and I whisked my groundbait again to make sure it was ready to go.
At last 10am came and the 2 hours setting up time began. I had set up 8 top 3s with 4 with number 5 elastics, and 4 with soft set number 6 elastics all through the top 3. These all had rigs from 0.4grm floats to a 1 gram in case the wind got up. I plumbed up 3 lines. 1 at 13m in front of me slightly to my left, this had a 0.4grm float, a 0.6grm float and 1grm float set ups, all on 0.12mm line to 0.08mm hooklengths and size 20 black gamma hooks. One at the base of the shelf at 6 sections slightly to my right. This was set up with a 0.6grm float 0.12mm line to a 0.08mm hooklength and size 20 gamma black and another rig next to the stick ups this was 6 sections down to my right and comprised of a top 3 with number 6 elastic matched to 4x12 float, 0.12mm line to a 0.10mm hooklength and a size 18 Milo T213 hook. This had bigger fish in mind. I tightened the number 6 for this line so as to set the hook a little better.
I also set up a Daiwa Tournament 13ft match rod with 3lb main line, a 1.5grm cralusso light rocket waggler with a carbon insert, a 0.12mm hooklength and size 16 hook for the waggler swim some 18m in front of me. This would be in case I was struggling on the pole. Once everything was set up it was time to tidy the peg up a little as there were spare pole sections everywhere, rig boxes open and cool bags that needed putting away. Tony had arrived by then and offered a little nerve calming advice and told me to get myself into gear. After tidying up it was time to get my bait checked by the angler next to me, Lee Kerry happily obliged. After this there were 20 minutes to go before the 5 minute pre baiting period.
Time to separate the joker, riddle the leam off and the groundbait, add the casters, chopped worm and corn to the mixes and start to form the balls of groundbait. The pre baiting period is the only time you are allowed to put in 2 handed formed balls of groundbait, after this you have to form the balls in one hand if you want to top up. I formed 8 balls of heavy fishmeal and 2 double leam and joker rich balls for the 13m line. I then made 6 sensas lake and leam jaffas and 1 double leam and joker rich ball for the 6m line and 1 heavy fishmeal ball for the margin line, but this would have double the amount of casters and worm in it.
Off went the hooter to signal the pre-baiting period, and as I wasn't confident enough to ball all this in by hand, I cupped in every ball in this 5 minute period. God my arms were tired! I had also formed 15 single handed sausage shaped balls for the waggler line and these went out to an area the size of a small car by the island. So that was that and it was time to get the rig baited up and into the water. I decided to start at 13m as it just felt like the right thing to do. On went a single bloodworm on the 0.4grm rig, set just an inch off the deck, and within 30 seconds it slid away and a small skimmer was on its way to the net. Was this the sign of things to come?
I carried on catching a small skimmer, roach and odd small perch a chuck for the next 30 minutes, putting perhaps a kilo and a half in the net. At around the 40 minute mark I struck into a much better fish and the Preston slip number 5 elastic got it under control after a short tussle and an F1 of about 8oz graced my landing net.
I decided then to try the slightly heavier rig to lay the rig on the deck by an inch to see if the better fish had arrived, I was immediately rewarded with a slightly better skimmer and another 6oz F1, then the swim went a little quiet. This was my cue to have a look on the inside line.
Again on went a single bloodworm and I was rewarded with a roach and a small skimmer, then a small F1…things were looking good. I was catching just as quickly as all the other guys I could see. I decided although early I needed to have a look on my line next to the stick ups. This had been calling to me from the off and just screamed fish! Tony had by now given an update to the MFS website (http://www.matchfishing-scene.com.uk/) on how I was doing, and had wandered off to see how the others were getting on in the section and to see what had been caught and where I was respectively in the section.
On went a small segment of worm onto my heavier margin rig and I lowered it into position. The rig had just settled when it slid under and the number 6 elastic shot out of the pole and I steered the better fish away from the reeds. After a 2 minute battle a tench of around 2 lb lay in my landing net…bonus!I decided it was worth another look on this line so again slipped on another segment of worm and went straight over the swim again. I didn’t want to re-feed just in case there was something else there, and to my surprise the float slid away again and a 6oz F1 was added to the keepnet. This happened another couple of times with small F1s coming to the net. After around 20 minutes on this line I had added another 2 and half kilos to my weight.
With an hour and a half gone I reckon I had some 4 kilos in the net. I spent the next hour on the 13m line picking up skimmers and roach whilst leaving the re-fed margin line to settle again. In this time I added another 1.5 kilos, bringing the total to 5.5kg with 90 minutes to go. This was my cue to concentrate on the margin line again. First chuck resulted in another decent Tinca around the kilo mark grace my net, then a great big crucian some 1 kilo as well…happy days. I did lose a couple of fish after that, which unsettled me a little, so I changed the hooklength and never lost another fish. This saw me add a further 3 tench and 4 F1s to the net. The last Tench I hooked was actually 3 minutes before the end of the match, and in CIPS rules the fish has to be out of the water before the all out for it to count, unlike the 15 minute after the whistle goes on commercials. So I had to bully a near 1.5kg Tench on 6 elastic with 6 sections in the air, and just managed to get the fish out the water with about 20 seconds to go! Electric stuff…I was buzzing as I was sure I had done quite well with Tony’s updates on how the rest of the section had done. Eric Lubin from the revered Sensas 28 squad was reported to have 20 odd skimmers and I had seen Paul Downs from Starlets had also landed around half a dozen decent fish.
Packing away and waiting for the weigh net to come round my head was all in a spin with what I had done wrong and the mistakes that had cost me fish. Silly things which I would endeavour to put right the second day. My groundbait mix I thought was right for the pool and catching the stamp of fish I had I was confident it would work at Barston on the waggler line should I draw the pool the following day.
Just as I had put all my gear into the car I could see the weigh net coming round with Tony holding the board with the results on. He looked up and gave me the thumbs up. This made me smile as I knew I had beaten a few good anglers on the lower peg numbers. I walked round to greet the scalesmen about halfway up my section to watch the weigh in. I looked at the leader board, 6kg was winning the section. I was sure I had a little more than that, as my 6 Tench would go 6kg on their own. We came to Lee Kerry who was to my immediate right and his net was brought out of the water. He had caught a lot of fish, but not as many bonus fish as I had. In all honesty Lee had worked very very hard as the lack of bonus fish had seen him working like a whirlwind on the smaller fish. His fish totalled 5kg odd, so the time had come to see how well I had done. This is when Ian Didcote came round and slapped my shoulder and congratulated me on a good days fishing, as my fish totalled 12kg 140grm. It was at this point my thoughts were on perhaps winning the section, what a day that would be. So carrying on round the weights were between 5kg and 6kg. Paul Downes managed to weigh in over 10kg which did worry me when the net was pulled from the water, but thankfully it wasn’t quite enough, I had done it. I had won my section in the Sensas Challenge 2009 Final!
Well what a day. I couldn’t believe it. The weather had been great and the fishing even better. What would tomorrow bring?
Day Two.
Getting up at 5am due to the excitement from the previous day, and my dreams going into overload I had to prepare my bait, replace all the groundbait I had used the previous day and of course grab at least 2 cups of coffee.
I sat in the lounge tying up hook lengths for the waggler line and pole lines, and berating myself for losing the fish from the previous day. Don’t we all?
6.45am came and it was time to get into the car and start the 45 minute journey to Barston’s clubhouse where the draw was a little earlier today. The 45 minutes went by so quick as I was thinking so hard about the day ahead and how I would approach it, as the weather had changed a little for the worse. The wind was up from the previous day, and after arriving at the clubhouse I looked over the lake to see the wind howling across it…a shudder ran down my spine as I thought I really don’t want to be on here today. Getting my buckets out I decided on the same groundbait mixes from yesterday. I would decide what quantities of bait to take to the bank once I knew where I had drawn. Into the clubhouse for another sausage sandwich, coffee and a chinwag with the team for the second day. Now seeing as a team had ended up second overall on the previous day which was a massive achievement, a team meeting was arranged after the draw. The draw came and I saw Joff who had drawn for us come out smiling saying “You have a chance here lads, and you have a good chance to win the individual Pete!”
I had a look on the draw card and there was my name on Packington’s Geary’s peg 10, the previous days overall winning peg! Golden Balls strikes again!
Chances like this come perhaps once a lifetime, and at last it was my turn. We sat down to discuss each others pegs and what we knew about them, offering advice freely to each other to make the most of the day. Brad Titmus I have to say was an awesome help in telling me where to expect to catch. I had a plan in mind and it wasn’t far off what Brad had recommended that I do. On conclusion of the meeting we headed off to our pegs. My legs were made of Jelly as I walked to my car….Peg 10…..there were fish there yesterday, would they still be there after the yesterdays bombardment of bait?
I arrived at my peg and started to whisk my groundbait to make sure it was ok and the right consistency. I then decided on exactly the same baits as I had used the previous day except I would substitute the ½ pint of dead pinkies for another half pint of chopped worms.
I looked at my peg, it had an extremely high bank behind and meant I could only ship back 2 sections at a time before having to break down. No problem, if I stood up I could ship the pole over the lip of the bank and that should be ok for speed fishing for the roach and small skimmers if I found them.
I also had a tree that went into the water some 6 sections to my left, this was where the winner the previous day had caught from, so a chopped worm line with groundbait it would be on this line then. I also had a bramble patch to my right which overhung the water by some 4 sections. This I would feed for tench and anything else that would come along, hopefully no carp. The 13m would be fished with a Preston slip number 5 through 3 sections, I set up 3 rigs for this line, one on a gram rig some 6 inches overdepth to hold the bait still if the bigger skimmers turned up. This would feature 0.10mm line and a 0.09mm hooklength with a size 18 gamma black, or a size 18 pellet hook if the tench showed up. The second rig for this line featured a 0.6grm float set dead depth for anything that swam. This would feature 0.10mm main line with a 0.07mm hooklength and a size 20 gamma black matched to Preston number 5 elastic through 3 sections. The last rig was set 6 inches off the deck and featured a 0.4grm rig with a strung out shotting pattern, on 0.09mm line to a 0.07mm hooklength with a 20 gamma black again matched to a very soft set Preston number 5 slip elastic through 3 sections.
My left hand swim by the tree would need some beefier gear, so white hydro through a match 2 and 3 with a 0.12mm mainline and a 0.10mm hooklength and a size 18 Milo T213 hook would be complemented by a 4x12 Chianti set 3 inches overdepth. My right hand swim would see exactly the same set up but it was 6 inches shallower here. I also put two top kits with again a number 6 through 3 sections if I was only hooking skimmers, this would be a little better I thought for the softer mouths if they were bumped on the strike.
So pole lines set up, out came the waggler rod, and this was also plumbed up and set 30cms overdepth to counter the tow on the lake. The wind was starting to get up and was blowing into my bank. This I thought would bode well for some of the bigger fish to turn up. So my attentions turned to getting the bait ready. I decided that I wouldn’t feed too much joker on the inside lines but try to concentrate worm and caster with bigger fish in mind with a little groundbait. The 13m line would receive 8 balls of groundbait and 3 balls of joker rich leam alongside 3 balls of fishmeal groundbait. The two inside lines would receive 2 balls of fishmeal and one ball laced with double worm and caster. Sorted.
The next 20 minutes was spent trying to tidy the peg a little, as it was quite confined and with a rod holdall, a carryall, 3 cool bags, 3 sensas buckets, rods, pole, top kits, kitchen sink and everything else spread about it needed to be at hand if I needed anything. The wind was increasing all the time, which did get me worried a little. Des Shipp was in my section alongside Sandra Scotthorne and a couple of other big names. I was smack bang in the middle of them all, what an opportunity I had to try and do well in my section, not only for the team, but also that selfishness that resided at the back of my mind which was thinking about individual glory…if only.
So the hooter went for the pre-baiting period, this was it.
In went the 14 balls of bait on the long line and the 3 balls on each of the inside lines. I decided that I wouldn’t feed the waggler line for the moment. This gave me some doubts as what if I needed it later? I pushed this to the back of my mind and got on with trying to catch fish. Out went my light 13m rig baited with a single bloodworm. It settled and I waited and waited. 5 minutes passed and no indications. This was not looking good. So out went the 0.6grm rig with again single bloodworm and just as it settled it buried!
At last a small skimmer was flying towards me as fast as the pole would go through my hands. The number 5 elastic was perfect for this as it cushioned the fish as it was brought in and netted. Out went another single bloodworm and the same happened, another 2 oz skimmer came flying towards me. This was swung to hand now as I had my first fish in the net. This rhythm continued for the next 20 minutes with a skimmer a chuck. This was going well.
The guy next to me was also doing the same and was catching a small skimmer every chuck. Right! It was time to see if something a little better had moved in. Out went the heavier rig, 3 bloodworm on the hook. It settled and I waited 2 minutes before it slid away and 3 ft of number 5 elastic shot out of the pole as a small crucian of some 5 ounces made a bid for freedom. This was netted and out again went the heavier rig.
After 5 minutes without a bite it was back out with the lighter 0.6grm rig in search of the smaller skimmers. The next hour was spent catching small skimmers and little roach with a 6oz skimmer being the biggest fish I landed. This prompted me to try the heavier rig with 90 minutes gone, the float settled and buried! 6 ft of number 5 elastic came out the pole as a near pound skimmer flew out the water and made its bid for freedom unsuccessfully. Result!
This would be the only fish off this line for the next 20 minutes, so I re-fed this line with two hand sized balls of joker rich leam and fishmeal groundbait. It was time to search the inside lines for any bonus fish. On went a segment of worm, this was put over the left hand swim next to the tree, it settled and then buried……I struck and missed the bite…dammit!!!!!
The rig was checked and re-laid into the swim, this time it settled and sat there for 2 minutes before a liner was followed by a bite. I struck and this time it was solid resistance as a decent fish was hooked. It wandered out the swim with the typical plod of a decent skimmer, then disaster the hook pulled. I wont repeat the words I said after that!
The rig was immediately changed over to the number 6 elastic for both lines. The left hand line was re-fed with another hand sized ball of fishmeal groundbait with worm and caster in it.I had a quick look over the right hand line, but nothing was forthcoming. Back onto the recently re-fed left hand line, the float settled and immediately dipped, I struck and a twig was the culprit…Bugger!
I was getting a little frustrated now as Im sure this wouldn’t be doing this line any favours. Again hook checked and bait changed it was re-laid into the swim, this time after 2 minutes the float dipped again and finally the fish swam lazily out the swim, and kept going…doh! please don’t let this be a carp, not now I pleaded. After 5 minutes a Tench was the antagonist and the net was slipped under it and at around 1.5kg was a very welcome boost. Settled now I re-fed the line and went over the other inside line to my right, again no bites were forthcoming so it was back out to the long line. This yielded another run of very small fish, mostly gudgeon.
So with around 80 minutes to go it was back over the left hand inside line with a segment of worm. This was immediately snaffled by a skimmer of some 500grms, perfect! The same thing happened immediately afterwards too, finally the better fish had arrived. I had another 5 skimmers, all peas in a pod, all about the 500grm a piece they were good weight builders. The swim went quiet for some 10 minutes so it was re-fed along with the other inside line.
Switching to the right hand side line I noticed that the guy to my right had also fed a line to his left, some metre away from my swim, and was playing a skimmer…Right, here we go time to take the fish away, so in went another 3 hand sized balls. I immediately went over this line as I was sure the skimmers were hanging around, and just as I was about to move the rig the float slid under and a near 1kg bream was in the landing net, then another! Happy days!
The angler next to me was trying to copy my actions but wasn’t feeding a fishmeal groundbait so couldn’t drag the skimmers back from the swim. There were now only 20 minutes to go and I reckon I had some 8kg in the net. I switched to the line under the tree to my left and the float buried immediately with another 500grm skimmer, then another and another and just as the 5 minute mark left the float buried again and the last bream of about 1.5kg came to the net. My head was in a swirl, I had caught some fabulous fish in the last 40 minutes and it had rocketed me well up in my section according to the bank walkers.
As I packed up I realised I had used just about all my groundbait and 2 pints of other baits….What weight did I have? I knew I didn’t have the same weight as the day before, but it would be fairly close.
Packing away my thoughts were on who else had caught as news filtered through that Des Shipp had around 10-12kg and another angler was admitting to 10kg and another to 8 or 9kg. My own estimate was well out as I thought I had around 8 kilo at the time, as writing it makes sense as to what I had so its easier to describe the progress of the match.
Again my kit all packed away in the car, I was waiting for the scalesmen which seemed like an eternity as I was desperate to see what I had caught, but yet I didn’t want to know.
Sandra Scotthorne was the first to be weighed in on the end peg. She put 6kg on the scales and was having a little banter with Des that he had at least double that. As his net was pulled from the water I had to shut my eyes as I didn’t want to know. The weight was called out at just over 10kg. I was done for I thought. I needed to beat Des to at least have a chance to win the section. The angler to Des’s left put 9.5kg on the scales as well. I couldn’t help but feel beaten at the time as I really thought I didn’t have that sort of weight. Des then asked me what I had? Now I said I had managed 14 skimmers and a tench with some bits, he asked how big are the skimmers, I said around 14oz or there there abouts Finally the scales arrived at my peg and the fish were weighed. The wait seemed an awfully long time until 11kg 670grms was called out………..I had done it, I had beaten Des Shipp and the other big weights in the section. I was already over the moon, there was still another 5 anglers to weigh in but I didn’t care. Des however was not pleased as my 14 oz skimmers had turned into 2 ½ lb bream in the net…ahem. Well we are all like it are we not?
Obviously people being on phones, news started to filter round that I may have won my section, and possibly the final individually. I tried to blank these thoughts from my mind, as there would be nothing worse that getting myself all worked up only to be let down. As the final net was lifted from the water I knew I had won my section, I had WON my section!
My phone then started to ring and Ian Didcote asked how I had done, and I also returned the questions, he had managed a section 2nd and 4th over the two days, a very solid score considering where he had drawn. He then started to say that I had possibly won the Final……could this be? Nothing was confirmed so I said I would meet him back at the clubhouse.
After getting into my car and exiting Packington my car phone rang, it was Ian again….He said “Pete, are you sitting down? Are you driving? If you are pull over!” I did as I was bid, he then said “Pete you’ve won it, you have won it individually, let me be the first to congratulate you!” Do you ever get that feeling when nothing in the world matters, when everything turns into sheer delight?
There is just no other way of describing how I felt at this moment in time. I don’t remember the drive to the club house, my mind was wandering into nothing as I had won the Sensas Challenge Final.
Not only had I won the match individually the team I was fishing for had also had a fantastic result with everyone fishing at 110% to end up second overall, only beaten by the mighty Daiwa Dorking lads, Well done guys superb score on the second and first day totalling just 20 odd points. This meant that we as a team had qualified for the Sensas Final in France comprising of 64 teams from around Europe. Wish Team Leicester Sensas B all the luck lads!
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My thanks to all those who helped me during those weeks before the Sensas Final, Ian Didcote, Nigel Harrhy, Tony Jones, Phil Stone, Brad Titmus, Steve Gartner, Don Slaymaker and Darren Fisher, you were all a massive help to me and I cant thank you enough.
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This site is my intake , very fantastic design and style and perfect subject matter. Pre-shipment inspections
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