The recent carpy conditions have even managed to tempt our resident shop manager into getting out for a session or two, and it has to be said that it hasn't taken him too long to get amongst a few. Fishing an overnighter on a 110 acre Gloucestershire gravel pit for the first time ever, Jon managed to latch into one of the waters more sought after specimens in this immaculate 31lb+ common. The winning bait was once again a prototype boilie that Jon and his field testers are currently trying out with plenty of success. These were fished over a large spodded area of particle and the ever effective Mini Grubber pellets. Nice going Finchy. 

I’m sure that many Bankside customers will know that Jon and I are regular competitors in the British Carp Angling championships, which is now into its tenth year. We were fishing for Team Carp Talk again this year, with our heat taking place on the prolific Broadlands Lake in Hampshire. After a successful practise session we were confident that given a good draw, we would be able to get amongst a few of the Broadlands carp and give ourselves a chance of a place in one of the semi finals. Sadly it was not to be, and despite coming out of the hat early and selecting one of our favoured swims, it turned out that we were simply on the wrong side of the lake. Everyone along our side of Broadlands struggled for a bite whilst there were several 100lb plus hauls off the opposite bank.