It was certainly nice to get back out on the bank after a long busy winter, and the lockdown due to Covid-19. Layer was fishing ‘iffy’, but I just had to get back on the bank. Home tutoring is nice, but the girls were beginning to get the better of me, and I needed a break.
I arrived at the gates, at just gone seven, and there were maybe six cars in the car park. The day before Layer had been mobbed, with every peg taken. I decided to go along the cut out bank, the last peg before the split, a peg I know well. The depth here is fairly consistent 8 foot ish, and the bottom very silty. A few fish were showing out towards the middle, but I’m not a distance caster by any means.
Two rods were set up, along with the trusted spomb rod. I had tried the throwing stick, but the seagulls were all over me. Two helicopter rigs set up, along with fluorocarbon D rigs, size 6 Kurve hooks, and a scopex squid wafter finished the set up. For me to reach a consistent clip, a three ounce distance lead completed the rig. I spombed two medium spods of 12mm scopex squid boilies after every cast, and this continued throughout the day.
A very hot day was on the cards and the conditions were very difficult. No one else was catching, and most seemed to be on zigs. Now lure fishing is all very well, but I’d rather put a bit of bait in to try and make a bite happen.
A few liners after the first few casts, and then I was into the first of the day. The Layer fish scrap like hell, and they all give a good pull. I managed six lovely common carp, up to 22lb, with all of them being good upper doubles.
Next day saw Layer closed for spawning, so it looks like the next trip will be in a couple of weeks. I will keep you posted.
