So to start off with I will make you aware that Thunder is a fish I've been chasing for 4 long years.
It resides in my Cotswolds syndicate ( Carpathia ) .
The lake itself is around 30 acres and holds some immense looking carp .
I've been a member of this lake for 6 years now and the fish have been growing and growing to over 50lb now.
So there I was, Thunder a fish I heard someone call it , when it was caught back in Sept 2020 at 39lb, maybe I misheard the name but it stuck from then on.
I’ve been slowly ticking off the named or wanted fish (I’ve had the lake record fish already) and now this was top of my agenda 2nd biggest fish landed so far ….
The next occasion it was caught was October 8th 2020 (make a note), only a month later in a completely different area.
This time two swims away again ie 40yards down the bank to then just over the 40lb mark.
So I was fishing right time just wrong place again but not by far … but two captures in two months the fish starts to wise up . ( It has only ever been landed I believe 3 times since stocked at 22lb ).
My heart was just set on catching this fish and I knew roughly what time of year it rocked up.
When you are targeting just one fish in 30 plus acres and don’t see it, you just have to remember it’s feeding spells, where and when?
So the following year, during autumn, it came out again two swims away from me to my right !!! (Sept 2021).
Balls up again! However, it was down in weight, we doubled checked on scales 36lb and it was caught from the same area as last September .
You guessed it , the next autumn came ,think October 13th (2022) I'm in a swim catching a few up to 36 plus and get a message from the bank opposite that they have had a 40lb plus !!!
Said well done and send me the pics to check which fish, lo and behold it's Thunder again this time off the back of my spots but probably about 80 yards from my hook bait.
43lb plus this time!!! I'm like I'm here every time it gets caught and believe me, I only do 20 nights max a year .
Thunder is my Nemesis !!
The following autumn arrives and no guessing lol . I didn’t fish that autumn and it never came out, strange that it only comes out when I’m there, it’s taunting me !!! It did make a spring appearance though that year at still 40 plus ( 2023 ).
It’s now Monday 8th of October 2024 (note)
Cue ( Autumn) Cue ( I’m fishing 🎣 )
Thunder has not been out for 18 months now.
The fish called the Freak did come out at 50lb plus the week before which is also my personal last target fish but does visit the bank alot more regular.
It was just Thunder on my mind even texted a friend hopefully Thunder will come out as first time up since early September .
This was always my plan of attack this time of year, big fish time!!
No more small baits required ,not pack fishing like August just big old October BIG CARPS game on.
Firstly nobody else will catch it ,as I had the lake to myself ….
Sweet Caroline 😊.
Jumped in Thunder Alley as I call it as it comes out same sort of area most times.
Here comes the boilies approach no more messing about its autumn big fish tactics.
5 kg spread , three rods not on a spot 😂 I'm here for big ,not numbers and all spread out but same distance.
Midnight at the oasis and first rod is away ....
yea haaaa , then hook pulled - shite !!!
Rig check ( hook blunt ) um now a lot of crays in this lake and I'm fishing in silt.
So changed rig , casted out and popped back into my Bivvy.
2am middle rod away ...
yea baby , landed 29.2 mirror and removed the hook in the net for re casting and hook check blunt !!
All rods changed to no hooks on the deck here comes the pop ups ....
3am and whoop bang dangle away again for a 29.4 mirror ,hook point fine back on the spot .
T minus 5am arrives to another screaming take and in my head going round n round ' This feels better " but regardless I keep saying small and not worried lol.
Boom it's in the net ....
Now as I've just been to France 🇫🇷 the fish I say ,the first two looked low 20s and nearly 30lb , Ounces short of thirty !!!
This bad boy look definitely 30 plus and much longer fish.
On the scales it went and to my disbelief went 44.2 . Fist 🤛 pump , party shake and next is this the one ????
I know it's long with a saddle back and this fish hit all the credentials to being THUNDER !!
Pictures taken obviously in the dark as still 2 hours before daylight .
Now the definite answers as double checking on our groups Facebook pictures checking n checking …
THE PRIME SUSPECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED
THUNDER STRUCK …… yea baby 👶
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12 hours into my autumn campaign and the job is done ✔️ all boxes ticked ✅
Now don’t get me wrong every fish in this lake is special and would love some more but was actually relieved and even thought of only doing one more night even though three planned.
well I did the three and the swim did slow down only one fish per night not as hectic…
A great 36 common and a 26 mirror happy days and now home buzzing like a bee.
The hunt for THUDER is completed ✔️
next the Freak TBC