May 29 2009
An early start today
I made a snap decision last night to get up early and pay a morning visit to Bradwell Lake. I optimistically had set the alarm for 5:00, but I was actually awake at 4:30 so I made good time and got to the lake, fishing by 5:00.
The lake was stunning at this time of day. A light mist hung over the water and the surface was quite busy with small fish feeding. The brave ones at the surface were being hammered by a pair of common terns, and by the looks of it, the ones lower down were being hammered by a pike. Full of hope, I set up and started working the area with a Savagear 4-play. This is a nice swimbait and it has a very cool swimming action, but it was just getting dragged through the weed which was killing all the action. I switched to a floating Salmo Slider in Roach pattern, and kept with this pretty much for the whole session. I did try out the Savagear Freestyler briefly, but more on that next week when I’ve given it a proper working.
Not much materialised, but after about 45 minutes I did have a lazy take from a pike right on the surface. It was an odd thing, as it came up and almost slurped the lure down like a carp snaffling dog biscuits. By the time I’d twigged what was going on it was too late and a swirl was all that was left as the fish ejected the lure and made off. Nothing else came from the rest of the session, and I was changed and in for work at 9. Nice!