UKCF Anglers.

[Simon Bolivar]

Think we can all relate...

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[Simon Bolivar]

Aye, the Muria Mouse retails around e30 & I spendvthat on hand mFe jerkbaits but seems alot for a simpler lure but I saw the videos on Kanalgratis of them catching big Irish Pike, in tough cold conditions so I bit the bullet. Bought a few at full price but them found some 2nd hand on Fleabay & there were a little cheaper.

If you think about it cost is relative, that used to be the price of an Espen' which you would enjoy for 90mins, I have caught that fish & could catch many more on it. I rarely loose a lure these days (only one in last year) by using b 80lb braid, I can using pull the obstacle out or bend the hooks. The worst are 🌳 & bushes on the far bank, you can pull & pull but unless it's a dead branch you will usually have to keep pulling until the line breaks.

Here's my wee M.M.collection, this represents less than 1% of my lure collection, as they say, lures catch more fisherman than fish; I blame it on the collecting gene - as shown by my Cigar stash, buying far more than I actually smoke.

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[gav_sw20]

Dear god that is a monster pike.

I’d be framing the lure that captured it…in fact I’ve just seen the price of the mouse lure !!! I’d definitely be framing it

[Simon Bolivar]

Cheers guys, 2.400hrs fishing in Belgium for one 20lb'er, 150hrs on the Avon for this one. Having crazy hopes I might catch 1-2 per season from now on.

[Vitola]

Nice one Simon - congrats buddy. It’s always fascinating reading your posts 👍

[mcdee]

Well done Simon.

[Max A]

Simon Bolivar Congratulations on the big catch! Goes to show where perseverance and patience can take us! 🥳

A couple of great smokes to celebrate too

[Simon Bolivar]

And the evening smoke.

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[Simon Bolivar]

Just noted I haven't posted my latest & best catch for 14yrs. I checked this thread & for 6th Dec so apologies if I have mentioned elsewhere.

So back to 6th Dec, my birthday. Weather had been crap & I hadn't caught a Pike since the season started on 1st Oct, on the Avon. I wasn't really motivated, had many other things going on but decided to go in the end to catch up with what was going on, what had been caught & see what the Levels & clarity were. And enjoy a cigar on the bank. The high tide being 08:00 was a strong pull too.

Picking up my ticket from the Tackle Shop, the owner told me a 29lb'er had been caught on the Royalty & he'd seen photos of 11 other 20lb'ers since the season started. This was impressive but I strongly believe the 29 was the 27 reported in Nov.

I had spent 2 days fishing where the 27 & 21 were caught last month & saw neither but caught my 1st Sea Bass. Still, having spent most of my piking career fishing waters with only 1 or 2 pike caught there in last 3-4yrs, just fishing a water with a reported dozen 20lb'ers, gives even a avge angler like my self a decent shot & some confidence.

I spoke to a young Piker at the car park, & we agreed to photo either monster, should we be so lucky. I had a few casts heading down to the bay where the 29lb was reportedly caught, without a take. Clarity was poor for the Avon but a foot or so better than the Stour. When I reached the swim in question, there was a DB fisherman on the opposite bank, covering the swim. Obviously, I wasn't the 1st to be told of this capture.

I had 29mins fishing further downstream & then went upstream a discreet distance & cast to a nearside Bush, where I had caught a 10lb'er last yr. 2nd or 3rd cast & a take on a Muria Mouse. Not violent or other indication of a big fish, untilbI got it to tge surface, when it rolled I could see on fat Pike. Maybe? Could it be?

2st pass across the net, it passed straight over, I then allowed the current to bring it back & scooped it on 2nd pass. When I tried to lift the net I knew this was a 20lb'er & let out a victory holla!

On the scales it went 21lb, my 2nd best Pike (pb 22lb 10). Only 102cms & fat as a pig. I shouted out for the young lad but he had moved in tge opposite & couldn't haer me. The chap opposite offered to come around & takes pic's but I did the best & put her back after holding her for a few minutes facing upstream. She swam away strongly.

I had a few more casts, sometimes 20lb'ers often hold in the same area but then gave up, packed up, returned gear to the car & then walked around to chat to the DB angler.

I was buzzing & light up the modest cigar I bought to celebrate my b/d, R&J Panatela '90. As a special treat I had a sip of Cockburn's Special Reserve.

Later that afternoon, I celebrated this capture in traditional style. I had celebrated my 1st 20lb'er with a Cohiba Esplen' this time I had something even more special, a Reserva version, from my 2002 selection. The last cigar I will smoke in the dark & cold at home, in future I'll be able to enjoy my cigars inside my ver own Cigar Lounge (just erected).



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[Simon Bolivar]

For sure, although we are going again in 2024

Will be a bit different when back on the Avon today !!!

Ha, different for sure, in flood this morning.

[gav_sw20]

Some memories there, to last a lifetime.

For sure, although we are going again in 2024

Will be a bit different when back on the Avon today !!!

[Simon Bolivar]

Some memories there, to last a lifetime.

[gav_sw20]

83297D59-1722-4112-A73E-4783B09049B5.jpg1AB6EC36-5D19-4E66-B969-ED5A4A929565.jpg The RedTail Catfish was the main fish I wanted in my three day visit and I hooked into one 45-mins before I was due to leave.

[gav_sw20]

Impressive giants, hope you took some Cohiba's with you to really celebrate?

Thanks. I had a D4 and a Choix to celebrate.

[Simon Bolivar]

Impressive giants, hope you took some Cohiba's with you to really celebrate?