John Claridge has sent us some cracking pictures of the mighty Big Linear he caught from the Roach Pit, Ringwood back in October. Careful observation and bait placement lead to the downfall of undoubtedly one of the best looking big carp in the country.
With my book, Beauties and the Beasts, signed off at the end of September I finally had a rare trip to my syndicate water planned to coincide with my ‘hot’ time. Having caught four of my nine forties between the 4th and 8th October, I understandably take a couple of days off in this period.
Arriving on the 4th I found two of the lake’s forties in a snag and quickly set up my stall. I lowered a tiger nut on my reverse combi rig (see video) made from 25lb Bristle filament and brown Two-tone attached to two feet of Sandy/ Gravel Leadcore onto the edge of a gravel spot up the margin. It was baited with hemp and tigers soaked in Baitwork’s Atlantic Heat dip and Hot Fish Oil with the aid of a scoop attached to an extending landing net handle.
That first night the heavens opened and by morning the inlet pipe in my margin was pumping fresh water in. With the wind pushing in the corner it looked good for a bite.
I repositioned my rig at lunchtime and soon after the bobbin danced and the rod wrapped round. With the in-line lead having dropped off the carp was sat mid-water unsure what was happening and I soon steered it to safety. After plugging in weed I had it on the move but with a big lump of weed attached I watched in awe as a three foot long Linear angrily kicked his tail and towed the weed about. After several nervous minutes the net engulfed the weed and carp and my leg started shaking. I’d caught the jewel in the crown, the Big Linear, and at 45lb 6oz it is the best looking big-carp I have ever caught. Too late to make the pages of my book, but a true beauty and a beast!