Catch Reports

Park Lake Blitz!

Posted in Catch Reports on 11th May 2008

Bristol based anglers Steve Sweeten and Terry Hancock decided to open up their ‘new season’ account on a tricky Southern Park Lake where a hand full of carp each season is the norm. However, within 48-hours of the season opening up, the ‘Dynamic Duo’ managed to bank no less than 18 carp which totalled a staggering 500lb plus and included three 40’s and five different 30’s!!

31-year old plumber Steve Sweeten managed to break his personal best no less than 4 times during the hectic haul and ended up with mirrors of 41lb 5oz and 40lb 2oz, a 36lb 10oz leather & three other 30lb plus mirrors and six more carp over 20lbs!

Meanwhile in the next swim along, his fishing partner Terry Hancock was also on a typical ‘B5 bombing’ mission and managed to add to the impressive tally with mirrors of 41lb, 34lb, 23lb, 19lb and 17lb to complete an historic achievement from the difficult venue.

Both anglers were using Essential Baits Shellfish B5 frozen ready mades in 16mm and 20mm and introduced approx 7kgs of boilies between them during the frenzied feeding spell. All the fish fell to ranges of between 60 and 80 yards over firm spots surrounded by silt and sparse weed.

Essential Bait boss Mike Willmott knows the venue well and wrote a chapter on the lake (Park Life) in his book ‘Carp Life’. Commenting on the 500lb haul Mike commented: “A catch of this magnitude has never been equalled before on the venue and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer couple of lads. I know how difficult the lake can be at times so for Steve to smash his PB on 4 different occasions during 48-hours is an incredible achievement. Awesome angling from both of them”.


Powdered Additives and Extracts

Long time Essential Baits consultant Rick Golder with a stunning '48' from a mega difficult venue. Rick knows the importance of a good food bait combined with the correct ingredients to trigger a feeding response. His results prove this year after year. 

The inclusion of powdered additives and extracts within a boilie recipe will undoubtedly make a massive difference in terms of attraction and palatability. Used at the correct inclusion levels, they will trigger a feeding response and lead to prolonged feeding. They can also be hugely beneficial at repelling nasty sediment odours from 'tainting' the bait. The FF6 found within the B5 is a classic example of this and will always make sure your baits smell 'sweet', even when fishing amongst horrible black silt. 

Many of these products are used extensively within the aquaculture industry to promote feeding, so it goes to show that these ingredients will play a huge part within the inclusion of a successful bait recipe, both short and long term.

Top tip

Betaine is an excellent ingredient for triggering the carp's receptors. If you want an 'instant' feeding response for short session fishing, just pour 20ml Boilie Glug or Liquid Food over 1 kilo of boilies and sprinkle one level tsp of betaine over the top before shaking vigourously.