Last minute bite results in 32lb 1oz mirror

A BITE at last knockings resulted in this 32lb 1oz mirror known as Paw Print for Stuart Henderson during a session on the Match Pit in Essex.

The Harwich-based rod had been targeting the tricky venue all winter but with nothing to show for his efforts.

Arriving for his latest trip he set up in a swim known as The Beach and cast to a shallow gravel plateau in five foot of water at 85 yards range which he baited with around 100 Baitcraft T1 bottom baits.

He said: “I’d seen fish showing just before dark and heard them crashing out during the night but by the morning I still hadn’t had a take. I felt certain that I was staring another blank in the face but decided to reel in and redo the rods for the last couple of hours.

“Not long afterwards, the moment I’d been waiting for arrived and one of my rods finally screamed off. A good fight followed after which I netted one of the lake’s most sought after fish – Paw Print – which hadn’t been caught since last May.

“I was buzzing, all the cold and lonely nights through the winter had finally paid off.”
Stuart’s winning presentation consisted of a 20lb X-Line fluorocarbon leader with a 20lb Korda N-Trap hooklink and a size 5 ESP Stiff Rigger hook.  On to this he mounted snowman style T1 boilies.