Perch Starter

Beginning my search for a three pound perch - to the Farm Pond. Far too bright really but managed 6 perch to about a pound. Using worms I also bagged up on little roach, rudd & bream - nice to get a few bites. Did spot some larger perch chasing the rudd - livebait next time.


Couldn't resist stalking out a carp on floating crust before I headed for home (and a beer) - a fantastic 14lb 1oz fully scaled mirror - perhaps, given the conditions I should have just targeted the carp. But it's a perch start - and a lovely afternoon in the sunshine!

British Grass

I don't really know what's in the Farm Pond, which is nice when you stumble across a surprise like a big eel (and I've seen some lovely perch). But I'd heard there was a grass carp in there - just the one though. And wandering around I thought I spotted her...

So I put out a bait and waited, and waited - about 5 hours later the alarm signalled a single beep! Always better to be lucky than good - a stunning 13lb 13oz British grassy was soon in the net. Worth the wait, really wanted to catch one of these. New species, so a new PB - ace!

Ready Player One

Pretty rough conditions but I thought I'd knock the cobwebs off the carp gear - two light lure rods that have sat in the shed for a full 2 weeks! Three runs, two lost to hook-pulls - but one beautiful little fully-scaled mirror found the net. I'll take that. Season 2026/27 off and running...

Pre-Season 2026/27

Forgoing the usual break - cracking straight on this year. A change of summer target this season - carp will be the main focus (although I'm sure I'll hunt down a barbel or two). And I also feel I've neglected the perch and zander for far too long - back on the radar.

And my winter target will once again be pike. A few new venues explored last season - hopefully I've learned a few things and can put them into practice this time. A new river & ponds earmarked, plus whatever I bump into while targeting the perch.

• 50x Carp (including 10 doubles)
• 50x Pike (including 10 doubles)
• A 3lb+ perch

Well, that's the pre-season plan - if history is anything to go by - I'm not particularly prone to sticking to it (watch out barbel). Anyway, tight lines fellow bloggers - look forward to reading about your exploits over the coming year. Hope to see a few PBs pop up.