21/08/2026
**45+ bites on the small lake**
After receiving some big hits from the large lake at Flaxlands, it was time for a change of scenery. The small lake at Flaxlands ( which I have manly fished during the winter ) was the lake of choice.
I started the day off using soaked Nut 365 2.3mm pellets packed into a small banjo feeder that I fishing tight to the reed line, however I found that I was constantly getting battered by small carp which were no more than a few ounces. So I decided to change my approach to fishing a pellet waggler set to 1ft in depth, which paired up with a Mini white Blackcurrant and Betalin wafter.
This change ment that the wafter (that I balanced with a size 12 hook) would fall slowly through the water. For the feed, I started off with 8.5mm nut 365 feed pellets. The fish had a strong reaction to the introduction of bait, however I found that they would scatter away from the swim when I stopped feeding. To combat this I scaled down my pellet size twice, firstly to a 6mm pellet and then eventually a 4mm pellet.
This allowed the pellet to fall slower through the water column, making sure I’m maximising my chances of the fish staying in the swim.
Drawing the session to a close in the early afternoon, I missed out of fishing in “prime time” which is around 4:30 pm. Although I still managed over 45 bites with most fish landed.
It was an amazing day spent on the bank, and now the small lake won’t just be an option for winter fishing for me.
Tight lines.
Ralph Apa
