Ollies Catfishing Adventures

WET WEEKEND

Well the weekend just gone was a totally different experience weather wise. We had 30 degress chasing cover by the trees two weeks ago to rain rain and more rain o yeh dont forget the wind as well. So camp was set luckly in the dry so time to get the rods out and see what happens.

Well it didnt take Andy Ashby and my son max to get off the mark with some cats and carp so i was feeling very confident of what was a head. First night i had two runs and lost them both GUTTED but it is what it is so rods where set ready to go again. Welll thats what i thought anyway but it wasnt ment to be. Max was having it off again on the carp and andy was just doing his thing as he always does and thats catch cats.

Rods were set with fresh baits on ready to see what happens annnnnddddddd NOTHING. So time to get ready for the evening a head so fresh rigs where out and lets see what happens. Night time was here and gone with not even a single bleep. So things were hard going time to mix things up and see if maybe a slight change would make things kick off . I tried single pellets, double pellets ,block rigs, live baits , diferent heights and even pop ups foot off the bottom. Nothing was working. Maybe for some reason they just wasnt in my area so i decided to even have a little word with the rods as that was my last hope. Moved one rod to a over hanging tree just incase they are holding up in some cover but i was struggling to get a bite so go with a bait that you know ya have most confidence in and wait.

SUN pops out to say hello inbetween the rain which was lovely.

Que the alarm by the tree. Yes we arwle finally in to a cat wasnt a big cat but was very welcome so time for a quick treatment and back it went.

Rod was reset and just got the boat back to land and it went off straight away and this time was a very very angry cat that wanted to get to the tree so tail slapping on the surface propa locked in to battle. It was making so much noise on the surface my boy heard it and looked out of his bivvy and was coming to me to tell me he saw a cat near mt baits but soon show me locked in to battle. Max can you telk andy im in and he turned around and said no because he was in to a hard fighting cat as well. After a great battle i had landed it and andy did the same as well. Sooooo why not have a double pic together. Quick pic and back they both went. Wow that was amazing what a fish and what a battle.

There was no way i would of landed it with out the propa catfish set up wow BUZZING.

NIGHT TIME

couple of carp come during the night of the same spot so was rewarded finally for my hard work.

Wow what a hard hard session for me but max and andy smashed it.

The winning tactic in the end was Catfish Bait UK cat spice fished over darkside spod mix and pellets..

Untill next time

HOT WEEKEND ON THE BANK

Well that was a very hot weekend shall we say on the bank. The boys was back on the bank again me Andy Ashby and my son max ready to see what happens. Me and andy was after the cats and my boy decided to go after the carp. Alot of other lakes are spawning so with no signs of the carp spawning and the hot weather we was feeling positive and that it was only amatter of time with the hot weather that the lake would start so did we time it right or did we get it wrong. Lets get the rods in the water and see what happens. I had decided to go for 2 bottom baits and one on live baits to see what would happen so one in the margin just at the bottom of the drop off, one to the island beside a over hanging tree and the live bait was in open water foot under the surface.

The rods are set so time to crack a cold beer open and light the bbq and wait to see what happens as darkness is here.

Well it didnt take long before a greedy little kitten had taken the bait but it was a start and we are off so rod was reset in hope of a bigger one but that was not ment to be as the kids were out in force that night.

Nothing happened during the day so it will time to get ready for the night time and hopefully the kids had gone to sleep and let the parents out to play but no the parents was away again so the kids come back out to play all during the night. Maybe the adults were doing there thing so i had come to the conclution that a better one wasnt going to happen but the last day was here and the temps were really hotting up now even to the point that andys front inner tube and tyre decided they had enough and exploded. Note to everyone if its going to be hot make sure ya barrows are in the shade but the rods were out for the final hours. Maybe just maybe.

Middle rod was away and after a hot battle in the sun the cat was landed so time to get every thing wet and cooled off before the cat was took to the mat for a quick pic and back she went. Rod was reset.

Middle rod ripped off again and this one was angry and didnt want to come in which was lovely in the full heat of the day but in the net she went and this one was the biggest so buzzing. Same again everything cooled ofd and soaking wet and on the mat she went for a quick pic with some treatment and bacm safe she went.

REMEMBER

MAKE SURE YOUR MATS AND SLINGS ARE COOLED OFF AND SOAKING WET WITH FRESH LAKE WATER AND DONT USE OLD WATER IN YA BUCKET AS THAT WILL BE WARM AND GET THE CATS BACK TO THE WATER ASAP.

Have to say a massive well done to andy as he smashed some decent cats out as well and to my boy who broke his pb and catching a albino grass carp as well to top the trip off. Very proud moment watching ya boy do everything him self and all is hard work paying off. Now its time to get him back on the cats to see what he can do.

Catfish Bait UK spice is really putting some fish on the bank for me this year fished over darkside spod mix.

Untill next time

RETURN TO OAKWOOD

I didnt have any plans to be fishing last week as it is that funny time of year when fish start to spawn and also with how busy the lake is. After a quick check it was quite so the message was sent and the thumbs up reply was all i needed. To the lake we go. A quick walk around the lake and there was alot of action going on with bait fish topping ,fish bubbling and the odd carp in a small area so that was all i needed to get set up in the choosen swim. The rods were out.

30mins later

We was in and after a little battle she was in the net so was time to get everything ready before the cat hit the mat. Once on the mat i checked for any spawning marks and there was none. Couple of pics and back she went.

10.15

We was away again and this one had abit of an attitude on it and after doing the hard part it was not ment to be and the hook popped out (GUTTED)

11.00

Very strange bite from this fish and to be honest i thought it was a bream but nope we are in to another cat so will this one stay on ? Yes in the net she went so time to go to the mat and have a couple of pics and back she went.

12.30

Right hand rod burst in to life and we was connected to one angry mother f***r that didnt want to come in and was just holding bottom in front of me WHEN QUE PANICK MODE the left hand rod screamed off so in full panick mode i gave the first cat aload of pressure and in the net it was safe so rod down and grabbed the left rod and was connected to this catfish and after a little battle that cat was in my second net. I always have 2 x nets with me just incase a double take happens. Wow 2 cats in 2 nets CRAZY so time to get them unhooked in the nets and up on the mat they went for a nice quick double pic and back they both went home. Wow CRAZY

1.50

We was in again WOW jesus so after a little battle the cat was in the net so time for a pic and back she went.

Now this was time to get my head down for abit hopefully.

4.20

We was in again and after a short battle the cat was in the net so time to have a couple of pics and back she went.

Wow what a crazy night that was. Found aload of fish activity, fished the right area and when ya have a good quality bait on your on to a winner.

All fish was caught on

Catfish Bait UK

Black and blues
Mack attack

Untill next time

RESERVE LAKE SOCIAL

This had been booked for a little while now and the time had finally come to load the van and set off to see what would happy. Me , my son and Andy Ashby arrived at this cracking little lake so max had the choice of swims so once he had choosen it was time to get set up and get the rods out. Me and andy was after the cats with max taking a different approach and went after the carp.

Well didnt take max long before we heard the shout IM IN DAD. so to his swim we went and a cracking little carp was landed so couple of pics and back it went. Great start for max and this is when i thought he could be in to a few fish here. Well thats what i thought was going to happen but i wqs very wrong for everyone. Nothing more happened through the night. I did get took out about 3am so had to do my rod again.

7.20 am

My middle rod was away and i was connected to what i thought was a small cat but i was very wrong and a carp was in my net. This what the moment i saw it was actully a decent carp so max and andy was in my swim and the sling was zeroed and up it went. Just over 29lb of a fat common so was happy with that so time to have some pics and back it went.

Toni had popped down to see us and asked hiw it was going so i said max had a small carp yesterday and i had a 29lb common carp this morning and after showing toni the pics he told me that i had caught the biggest one so far so the lake record was mine . HAPPY DAYS.

Not alot happened during thw day so timw to ger the roda ready for the evening after the bbq. Max then said to me what did i catch the carp on so i said it was squid stew so he said can i have some to see if i can get a big carp. He was going for the lake record so he could beat me 🤣🤣🤣. Rods were set for the eveing so lets see what happens.

2 am

Andy woke me up and said max is in to a cat so off we went to his swim. Max was locked in to a cery angry cat and after a little bit of time it was in the net. Looking in the net i could see this was a new pb so max set everything up and zeroed the sling and up she went. 56lb BOOM new pb for max and he was so happy and surprised so time for some pics and max safely returnes his new pb cat back home. Buzzing i tell ya big time was a proud moment.

Nothing else happened during darkness.

Time waa running out so camp was being took down and loaded in the van with only the rods out and out of the blue we was in again same rod some spot and same bait. Well i couldnt beleave what i heard from andy , MATE THATS THE SAME BLOODY CARP AGAIN. No way had i just had ti same carp again in just over 24hrs but it happened. Crazy i tell ya. Lake record carp for me and a new pb cat for max.

My carp and maxs cat was caught on Catfish Bait UK squid stew

Untill next time

PART 2

CROW GREEN

Well i dont even know where to start with this as there was soooo much that happened i would be here a week trying to get through it all so will try and compact it down.

This was my second time fishing the lake and after a blank i was hoping to change that. There was 3 of us on this little social Andy Ashby and Ian Millward . We had planned this trip for a little while now but the time had finally come for us 3 to get on the bank together. I dont think ian know what he had got his self in for with this social.

After getting a phone call from ian saying he was first at the gate so time to engage sport mode on the van and we was off racing to the gate closely followed by andy in his van. The gates opened and we was the only ones on the hole lake so swims was choosen and time to get the gear out and set back up. Time to find some spots and the rods was set for the night. Only one thing to do now get that bbq on and crack a cold beer open to see what happens.

2 am.

Left rod was away and we was in to my first crow green cat so time to concentrate. After a good battle under to rods the cat was finally in the net. YES HAPPY DAYS first night and managed to get one so time to prepare the unhooking mats/sling and up she went 68lb. Wow what a start so couple of picks and back she went safe and sound. Reset the rod and back to sleep we went.

4 am

Middle rod was away and this one felt abit bigger so time to lock in and pray i can land it. The fish decided to go along my right hand margin and take a rod out which wasnt very nice plus decided now it was close in it was going to kick it up a couple of gears ans beat me up under the rod tip but it lost the battle and in the net she went. Wow that looks a decent fish so ian said i will go get the scanner. Time he was back i had unhooked the cat and the mess of 2 rods was chuckes up by tye bivvy. Will sort that out later. Net was broken down and in the cat was slide in to the sling so we could lift her out safely. Wow this is heavy and on the mat we all looked and went wow thats big. So ian got the scanner out and a code was found and looked up. BIG MOMMA and she went 105lb on the scales WOW another fish over the 100lb mark . I cant beleave it. Couple of pics and back she went saftly home. WOW crazzyyyy time i am having. Lets just say i didnt fall back a sleep any more.

Brunch was here so time to get the bbq on and breakfast sorted for the boys. It was a lovely sunny day and we all said we might get a chance here of a day time bite.

3pm

Que the middle rod . After a short little battle this big fat belly cat was in the net. Gota love a day time bite so ya can see everything whats going in the fight. In the net she wenr happy days so time for some pics and back she went.

Wow 3 fish in less then 24 hrs crazy time.

Andy and ian then joined in on the action as well with landing some cats.

Wow what a social we was having. Bbq for breakfast and tea. The amount of laughs we was having was unreal. Thats whats its all about spending time on the bank with ya mates enjoying ya self and hoping to catch some fish. I think we broke mr milward with the amount of meat he was eating🤣🤣

We ended up on 12 cats landed between us. Wow what a crazy social it was.

Cats was caught on cat spice and the pinks from Catfish Bait UK .

Untill next time

WEEK ON THE BANK

PART 1 CATZILLA SOCIAL

After being invited on the social it was finally time to load the van and head off the HOUCHINS LAKE 1. This was my first time fishing this lake so i was super excited to get the rods out and see what happens. After speaking to toni and finding out we was going to have to work hard for a bite me and my partner in crime mr Andy Ashby spoke about tactics and come up with a plan. Rods were set so time to light the bbq and crack open a cold beer to see what the night brings. As the light was slowly turning to darkness one of my rods was away. Yes we are in and after a short battle in the net she went. So time to get somw pics and back she went . Que andys double take. One of the double takes didnt connect so after a short battle andys first cat was in the bet. Happy days both of us had landed a fish so we are off the mark. Rods were reset so time to relax.

1.00 am

We are in and after a short battle the cat was in the net. Time to get some pictures and this was a first i have ever seen a cats whisker was stuck up so only one thing to do was call him mr st**fy. A couple of pics and back he went.

Gettin my rod ready to go back on the spot my middle rod decided to have a savage take on it so to the rod i went and lifted and was locked in to battle with a angry beast of a cat so andy out on his waders and went out in the water ready with the net. Finally after an epic battle the beast was tamed and safely in the net. We both looked at each other and went look at the size of that. So time to get everything ready and she went on the scales 109lb wow new pb so time for some pics and back she went. Buzzing big time and after having toni confirm the fish it was DONKEY. Buzzing what a first night madness with a new pb.

Over the next couple of nights more cats was landed by us both and cats where being caught by everyone else to so what a brill social it had been. Fish caught everywhere,bbqs cooking meat and all being washed down with cold beer. Wow what a crazy time. Monday was here so it was time to pack up and head to the next lake for our next adventure.

All cats was caught using a mixture of Catfish Bait UK spice and live baits

To be continued with PART 2

Untill next time

THE SOCIAL

It was finally time for the gang to get back on the bank. Peter Johnson Andy Ashby and my son the boys on the bank. Well the weather was terrible cold winds including hail didnt stop us for having one hell of a good time. Bbqs for breakfast and tea all washed down with a few cold beers. What else could you want.

First night went alot better then planned ensing up
With 4 cats 2 kittens, mid 20 and finally a decent one graced the net with a added bonus of a nice zip linear carp to go with the night. Happy days

This trip was all about giving my son the chance to put to the test what he has learnt in a very short time. So i handed it over to him. Watching him tie his own rigs, baiting them all up and gettting the rigs ready to go out but before placing them making the decision on where to put them doing his water craft and deciding on where the best spots to put his rigs so the choice was made and off he went and set his rods.

Max was away and after a short battle the first cat was landed so now was his time to see if he could deal with the cat on the bank and i have to say it was spot on. Cat was checked , pictured and back she went all safe and sound. Rod was reset

Early hours of the morning max was away again with a slightly bigger cat so in the net she went and time for a pic , checked all over and back she went.

Morning

Time to fresh the rigs so max was on it. Got the rods in and replaced with fresh new rigs already tied and ready to go and back on the spot they went.

10mins later

Middle rod was away and this was alot bigger fish and a very angry one to which gave max a bloody good fight but max won and in the net she went.

Time to get the weighing stuff ready so max soaked the mat and sling and zeored the scales so was time to get the cat weighed. 48lb 8oz new pb wow buzzing big time so time for a coulple of pics and back she went. Buzzing

Rod was put back on the spot

Nothing happened till the next morning when a lovely common come along which was the icing on the cake for max.

Wow what a proud dad moment watching ya boy doing it all by his self and seeing all the rewards of his efforts pay off and a new pb as well. Bearing in mind he only started fishing last summer holidays and he has caught some serious fish all through out winter as well.

All fish was caught on a mix of catfish bait uk
Pinks
Squid stew
Cat spice

Until next time

Monday Night Madness

I didnt have any plans to fish this night but after watching the newz before work and watching the weather forcast i thought why not give it another go. Work was done and time to jump in the van and head off to see what happens.

Camp was set up and the rods was ready to go so time to get them out. First one was set and was just about to put the second rod out and the first rod was away but this one was not ment to he and the hook had come out so set all the rods and time to kick back and see what happens.

Darkness was coming and the lake come alive. Bait fish topping , carp was bosh and a couple of cats had slapped so my confidence was high.

9.30

Right hand was away so after a little battle and she was in the net happy days so time to get everything sorted and on the mat she went . Quick pic and back safely she went .

10.00

Left rod was away and after a little battle in the net she went. On the mat she went for a pic and safely returnes back home. Happy days

10.30

Left rod was away again and this one put up a decent battle for its size and you know it by now time for the mat and a pic and returned back home.

2.30

Left rod was away again so lifted the rod to a couple of small head shakes and a fish swimming towards me so i thought ok a smaller fish but its another fish. Well thats what i thought untill it was under thw ros tip and then it relised it was hooked and decided to do a 180 turn and accelerate to maxium speed and rip line of the spool. Ok OK this is alot bigger then i first thought. Managed to turn her and to my left is lots of reeds and we all know they know where the snags are and headed straight towards them so its time to go beast mode and stop it. We was locked in to one of hell of battle i was in the reeds the cat was in the reeds my feet was soaked as i had to go in the water to get a better angle out of the the reeds,in the reeds wow i honestly didnt think i was going to survive this but luckly the cat decided it was done with the reeds and fancied having ago back in open water. Thats when i started to win and in the net she went. Wow thankgod for that so time to get everything ready. Sling zeroed mat and up she went 97lb . 💥💥💥💥 buzzing what a fight, what a fish so time for a couple of pics and back safely she went. If i didnt have the propa gear there was no way i would of landed this cat. Wow what a fight and what a fish.

3.30

Left rod was away again wow. After a good battle the cat was in the net and it was my old mate MR HUMPREYS. On the mat he went and up on the scales. I have caught this fish a couple of times and i like to keep an eye on his weight because of his shape but he was still holding his weight well and fighting fit so a pic and off he went safely back home.

Wow what a night, what a session and buzzing considering i had no plans to fish im glad i did

All fish fell to catfish bait uk mack attack pellets topped with cat spice and squid stew

Untill next time

The Time Has Come

2026 season has finally started. This was my fourth visit to the lake and with the warmer days, water temps rising will this be the night. I decided to try the shallower end of the lake as i felt that maybe if anything was moving this is where they maybe. Camp was set up and rods where placed on there spots in hope of a chance.

I managed to get a couple of runs which resulted in a couple of hook pulls which i was gutted so it was time to change things about so with the tweaks done the rods was back out on the spots. Praying that i had done the right thing and would get another chance to see if they would work.

2.30 am

Right hand rod was away and yes we are in so after a little battle the first cat of the new season was in my net. Happy days so time for a pic and treatment and back she goes.

3.30 am

Right hand rod is away again and boom we are in again so this one was alittle bit bigger and in the net it goes. A pic and some treatment and off she goes back home.

Started off with losing 2 then making a couple of tweaks and boom 2 on the bank. Happy days

Both cats was caught on catfish bait uk mack attack pellets and cat spice pop up

There is some big/new adventures starting this season so keep an eye out its going to be epic

Untill next time