Elphicks Kettle lake 21-23/05/21

On the 21st May I went to Elphicks fishery for 48 hours with my brothers Tom, Dave and with my Dad. This will be the last time I will fish with all three of them before I make a big move up to Scotland. At first I didn't know what to expect from this lake, when we arrived in the evening the weather didn't seem to do us any favours with the overcast clouds. But luckily enough we was able to park our cars right next to the lake and was able to set up very quick. We had most of the lake to chose from and me being the youngest I had last choice of swim but I was happy with my swim as it gave me the island to aim for. Also earlier on that day I collect my first batch of pop ups an wafters from Black Country Hookbaits, I know Rob very well and he knows his stuff, the smell of each of the flavours I got were very strong and I instantly knew I will have a bite.

The rigs I chosen for the session was the Ronnie Rig make from Rigworx size 6 Crank hook, chod & boom filament, with Unicorn candy pop up from Black Country Hookbaits, on the other rod being a two rod limit on the lake I wanted to try a new rig I never used before but tied it the night before the session, The Slip-D Rig made from Rigworx sixe 6 curve shank hook with the Unicorn candy wafter from Black Country Hookbaits. I did put a stick PVA Mesh bag (from T&T PVA mesh) on the hook link filled with Monster Baits fruit burst stick mix.

Slip-D rig with unicorn candy wafter

 I had a lot of confidence in this combo as I believe they complement each other well. Being the first night I wasn't expecting to get a bite so I had a pleasant night sleep in horrible weather conditions, In the morning after filling up on sausage and bacon roll with cup of tea I baited up my spot with a few boilies using Monster Bait fruit fusion 14 mm and put fresh PVA mesh bags on the hook link, my brothers were in the carp first around midday but unfortunately Tom lost his carp at the net, talk about getting a kick in the teeth, was a lovely common carp but we will never know how big it was, after Toms carp David was into his first fish of the session, after a 5 minute fight he landed a lovely mirror carp weighing in at 15lbs and it was in great condition, he caught it on a combi rig with Manila pop up. 

Then an hour later Tom was into his second carp caught on Mainline IB boilie on a simple hair rig after another 5 minute battle he landed his first carp of the session weighing in at 14lbs a stunning mirror, after them two biting and seeing those cracking carp I was starting to think am I in the right spot or using the right rig? but I trusted my gut and stick to my plan, but the weather turned and started to rain hard, with all of us in our bivvies we hoped that we won't get a bite in this weather but the rain turned the carp on and my left hand rod ripped off with the Unicorn wafter on the slip-D after an exciting fight I wanted to get the carp in the net, didn't want to lose the first fish on a new bait, new rig and from a new lake. Luckily the rain eased up and landed a lovely 8LB mirror an absolute beauty, it did put my mind at ease knowing this rig and bait works aswell as my presentation with the mesh bag on the hooklink.

45 minutes after releasing my first carp Dave was in again and landed a cracking common carp but I couldn't watch him land it as I myself into my second carp, after an small battle I laughed when I saw the baby brother version of Dave's carp his weighed in at 15lbs and mine I didn't weigh it as it was only tiny but it was on the same rig and bait as the first so I knew what I was doing was working. This was my last bite on saturday, unlike Dave he caught a very unique carp, a ghost/mirror carp. weighing in at 12lbs but wow never seen a carp like it. Tom also had another carp this time for him it was a common carp caught the same way as his previous capture. I cant remember how big it weighed but it was a cracker. This was the last action on Saturday, thoughts started to turn for the final 24 hours the only person yet to catch is my dad, he didn't have the best of swims no features to go to but he stuck with his gut and baited it his swim then went to bed. 

Sunday morning arrived, after a nice cup of tea and breakfast I done a small tweak on the a slip-D rig I changed the wafter to a boilie, I used monster bait fruit fusion boilie after that small tweak and fresh mesh bag I landed my biggest fish of the session after 10 o'clock, did call my brothers and dad as they were having tea and breakfast together but due to the strong winds they couldn't hear me calling them, when this session started I wanted to get a carp over 10lbs when I saw the scales go over 10 and stop at 11 I was really happy, didn't know much about the lake regarding stock and what the lake bed is like was pleased to get into double figures.

11LB  Mirror carp

 Not long after my carp my dad was into his first carp, it fought very hard but after a intense battle a lovely mirror slipped into his net, I believe it weighed at 12lbs, I was relieved that dad caught a carp, now all four of us have caught carp on a great session. as it was midday I started to pack away my bivvy, bedchair and sleeping back as the weather looked good and will make it easier to pack up later, how wrong I was, the weather tuned the rain returned but yet the carp was still feeding hard in this terrible rain as I was into my 4th carp but like my 2nd carp it was only a baby but yet it looked out of this world, a zip linear mirror never caught one before but as it was roughly the same weight as the 2nd I didn't get a picture of it, this carp was caught on the Slip-D with the monster bait fruit fusion boilie with matching stick mix. 

With the rain still ponding I'm glad that I packed away most of my gear, would be a nightmare to pack away in those conditions, all four of us was thinking we accomplished our task of getting a carp each and thought about leaving a bit early to get back in the warmth with a cup of tea, but before I could start putting my rods away I was into my 5th and final carp of the session. The left hand rod ripped off in the down pour after good battle, a gorgeous 5lb common slipped into the net. Caught on the same method as the previous 2, the slip-D rig was definitely been put through the war this session but yet it was still razor sharp after 5 hard takes, the hooks at Rigworx are out of this world and would highly recommend them to you. This session was also the first using black country hookbaits after hearing so much from the guys with what they've got planned and also what everyone's been catching I' m glad that I'm part of a great team, the bait is outstanding. It also wasn't the only thing I tried this session for the first time, just before the session I got Quarry clothing premium joggers, they were so comfy and kept me warm through out the session same with the hoodie, both the hoodie and joggers are so durable and long lasting I would suggest you to order them if your looking for carpy clothing.

If your in the Kent area and want to get on the bank give Elphicks a call, there lakes are perfect, kept in good condition, very tidy and the facilities are clean, staff very friendly and helpful. Well that's all from this session, very pleased to land 5 carp biggest being 11lb but at a new venue with a new rig and bait I couldn't ask for anything more. As this was my last session with my brothers and my dad before I move away I will treasure this a lot, will try and sort something in the future but still it was a blast.

For top quality PVA mesh that is strong and durable when tying try T&T PVA Mesh I always make sure I have enough mesh to last me the session as I feel like it gives me the edge in my fishing and helps with my presentation use discount code Jon10 for 10% off your order, Also exciting news Black Country Hookbaits have announced they're doing boilies, starting with two flavours Monster Hellfish and Squid Banger I've got a few kilos of the Hellfish, looking forward to using them as I've heard and seen great stuff of it. A lot is in the pipe work at Black Country Hookbaits especially BC Hookbaits youtube channel and can't wait to share it with you guys when its ready. 

Feel free to comment on this post, also follow me on instagram to get all the latest on my blog also check out Rigworx for amazing end tackle, Quarry clothing co for comfy clothing, T&T PVA Mesh for top notch mesh and Black Country Hookbaits for amazing baits.

I will try and get on the bank again soon but with everything that is going on it is tough to get out there as things need to get done before I can wet my lines again but if your on the bank wish you all the best, stay safe and

Tight lines