Bailiff Comments

Week Commencing: Sat 20/12/2025

Santa Came Early!

Five fresh faced anglers joined us on the Main lake for Christmas. With a sudden drop in weather down to freezing temperatures! How would the guys get on.

 Lets start off with  Paul Rainbow who selected to fish in Big Southerly after recent success.

Coming out ball two, Paul was over the moon with his swim choice. By the time he settled into 25 wraps, middle of the caravans, the air felt heavy and alive, the surface restless under the dark sky.

He had baited the swim carefully — 21 spombs of mulched and whole 15mm fishmeal, scattered with hemp and a little corn, enough to draw them in, enough to hold them. The nights were long but the anticipation was high. Knowing the first couple of day’s had the back end of the only mild spell could bring the bites.

Then, at 4am, it came.

The alarm wasn’t screaming — just a deliberate, slow pull, heavy with weight. Paul lifted into it and his heart skipped. This wasn’t a fish that ran; it was one that used everything — its bulk, the depth, the wind, the pressure — to stay where it wanted. Every inch of line he gained was taken back with purpose. Calm. Relentless. The fight felt endless. Hands numb, shoulders burning, mind laser-focused. When she finally rolled over the cord  ‘Heart Tailed Common 54lb’ Graced the net! With a New PB for Paul! Congratulations!

The catch had been earned with a simple, deadly setup: a multi rig, size 4 Krank, 5 inches of coated braid, tipped with a washed-out pink 15mm pop-up, lying over the feed. Nothing flashy. Simple but affective by Paul. The Cold Snap came in and the lake switched off. It was a long week after this. Santa definitely came to Paul early this Christmas! Well done Sir fully deserved!  

Landing myself in Alcatraz for the week I settled for 33 wraps to the Scary Tree. On the first evening I baited 25 Spombs of Hemp and flick of flake maize,10mm Mainline cell crushed and whole with a good dousing of Sriracha Sauce. Spinners out with yellow mainline pop ups. The First evening I was away with drop back on the middle rod with a 22lb Mirror. Topping the spot up with another 10 Spombs to keep the bites coming. However this didn’t work and the lake switched off for the week with a cold snap. 

This was all for the week. The Cold vey much playing a massive part of following the recent weeks captures. Hope you all good a great week out at the G. Merry Christmas 

Tight Lines,

Tom

Team Gigantica