Challenges 2014/15

Species Challenge: The first of a few challenges I set myself this season, I wanted to put a few fish on the list I'd never caught before (or had only caught very small ones). The first task was to catch each species and I also added a reasonable target weight to try and beat.

I achieved four out of the five targets (bloody bream) and have totally fallen in love with (four out of five of) them. They are all going to be future targets - very enjoyable fishing.

Species	Target	Weight	Date
Crucian	1lb	2lb 9oz	12/04/2014
Bream	5lb	3lb 14oz	03/05/2014
Tench	5lb	5lb 4oz	29/06/2014
Zander	5lb	5lb 10oz	22/10/2014
Grayling	1lb	2lb 1½oz	07/02/2015

Pike Challenge: A repeat of last year's failed challenge, 200lb of pike including 5 doubles. I didn't take into account there is no real pike fishing close to home and work is pretty relentless, but that's not really an excuse.

I didn't manage the 200lb, but I did end up with 6 doubles - so half way there. A couple more trips to the River Wye or a weir permit might well have push me over the target but in the end I think I left it too late to start may campaign.

I love fishing for pike and really need to learn this time. Make some more time for pike fishing next season!!

Pike	Doubles	Weight
27	6	154lb 11oz

Barbel Challenge: A challenge I decided on a few months into the season. Time was limited so when I could string two or three hours together I'd have a blast at a small river barbel. I wasn't targeting big fish I was just after something to put a bend in the rod.

As thing were going well I decided to aim for 60+ barbel and a target weight of 300lb. An incredible (lucky) run of multi-fish catches and next to no blanks meant I realised this target without that much time on the riverbank - perfect opportunistic fishing. Cracked!

Month	Sessions	Barbel	Blanks	Best
Jun	?	2	?	7lb 10oz
Jul	0	0	0	--
Aug	3	7	0	10lb 1oz
Sep	4	12	0	8lb 7oz
Oct	3	11	0	6lb 10oz
Nov	5	14	0	9lb 12oz
Dec	2	5	0	9lb 14oz
Jan	4	9	0	8lb 4oz
Feb	3	5	1	6lb 15oz
Mar	2	6	0	7lb 15oz
Total	--	71	--	348lb 11oz

Gudgeon Challenge: I've always loved gudgeon and normally specifically fish for them a few times a year. This season, armed with a set of digital kitchen scales, I decided to chase down a real monster, the target was a genuine 3oz fish.

I didn't manage a three, the best going 2.7oz which was still brilliant. Going to keep carrying the scales so when I do bump into one I'll get a proper weight... I'll keep trying...

And as for next season's challenges... Another attempt at 200lb+ of pike? A big rudd? Perhaps my first moggy? I'll have to give it some thought...