About two weeks ago I did a reconaissance mission with my right hand man from CARPdiem Angel Bonal, we heard a rumor about a small 5 acre lake here in the capital, which was producing some lovely Spanish Carp. According to ‘the word’, some of the fish were between 10-14kg and the lake record being nearer to 18kg. or 40lb. A 40lb Spanish carp and lake record would do nicely (again), ahem!

We did the survey, and whilst doing it we met some people on the bank that told us there are carp in high volume. Finally yesterday 17th of June (almost first day of season), we set out for the new water. It was the first real hot day here in Madrid, the sun was blazing, absolutely scorchio so it was, consequently on route we stopped at a bar not far from the mouth of the water for refreshments and a nibble, after a brief chat, coffee and cokes we all set-off again, as I got into the car, our windscreen and front view was met by a squad of scantly clad booty shaking Latin girls in hot pants, they slid from our left out of a van over our bonnet and into a ‘club’, it was quite a sight, as we watched one of the girls proceeded to pull up her top and present her titty’s in full buster glory for us. It was quite an eyeful, and most unexpected as you can imagine, but I must confess she did have a cracking set! This activity of course had us all laughin and certainly got us in the mood for the fresh water session ahead…..

Spice and Heat:

We had never fished the new lake before so we had no idea what to expect or where to fish. I chose an open water spot which was between 9-12ft deep. A couple of fish had boshed there and by fishing to this spot Angel who shared a double swim with me had plenty of space to cast right to the corner of an Island which also looked good. Fishing left and right on the peg meant that between us we had created a gap, this would be used to land any fish that came. Meanwhile Tony was down to our right some 20m, fishing in a narrow stretch of water to a bar you could see from the water, and over to the other end of the island infront.
I set up my Atomic Lead and Kryson Super-nova running rig in the shade of the trees away from the sun, it was late maybe 7pm but the heat was still strong, and I didn’t want too much more of it. Casting to the spot less than 40m distance, I felt the lead go down and land nicely, I sorted my alarm out and swinger/baitrunner then went off to set-up rod no.2. The bait and bag must have been in the water less than 3min. Then off she went!

Angel hit the rod for me and shortly after my first fish from the water was out. It was a heavy scaled Spanish royal mirror carp, and a chico to boot judging by the colour of it’s tail and the semen upon it! A fast fish, caught in little time always does wonders to the spirits around you. We were already grinning from what happened early with the girls but to be into fish so soon was a bonus. I was fishing my rods against each other, the one that I put in first was the high vis rod, with a fluro pop-up, this was fishing against a new bait I have been given to try from Starbaits.

This bait to be exact was a Performance Concept – Hot Demon hookbait, I put it in the slightly deeper water of 12ft. I had no idea if it would work but I new that if it did then a big fish would come, afterall what else can pick-up a 24mm docking great big spicy boilie? What else indeed? This rod received only one pick-up all night, but that’s all I wanted. Whilst I was playing a very spirited common carp which had fallen for the fluro pop-up, my other 24mm rod had ripped off. Tony hit it for me as I was engaged, Angel was net man. The fish that sucked up the 24mm Hot Demon bait actually ended up being the smallest fish of the session! You can see Tony with the fish in the photo. Well this proved, two things the baits work and even small carp can pick up the bait. The session came to and end around 11pm and we headed home in the heat of the night. It was clear we have found a nice little runs water which possibly has some bigger secrets in.

When I get chance again to fish it, I will let you know.