48-Hour Session: One Move, Two Memories

Sometimes, the hardest part of a fishing session is knowing when to move. For the first 24 hours, the rods remained silent. The initial swim, although promising with its features and history, just didn’t feel alive this time around. Despite solid preparation and baiting, there were no signs of activity—no shows, no liners, no movement.

At first light on the second day, with coffee in hand and hope still intact, I noticed a couple of subtle shows at the opposite end of the lake. A quick flash of a flank, a few bubbles rising—small signs, but enough to make the decision. I packed down quickly and moved swims, guided by instinct and those brief clues from the fish.

Within moments of settling into the new spot, everything just felt right. The water was warmer, there was more activity, and I had a clear margin spot that screamed ‘bite’. I tied up a Solid PVA bag with pellets and a bright hookbait and sent it out on the first cast.

Not even half an hour later, the first take came. The result? A stunning mirror carp weighing in at 20.5 pounds. The golden hue and distinctive scale pattern made it a fish to remember, and a massive reward for the decision to move swims.

But the session wasn’t done giving.

Later that evening, as the sun dipped behind the trees and the lake settled into a calm, the same rod ripped off again. The fight was heavy and determined, and when the fish surfaced near the net, I knew it was another gem. This second mirror was deep-bodied, clean, and beautifully conditioned. Holding it in the fading light, I could feel the satisfaction that only carp anglers truly understand.

Two memorable fish in less than 24 hours—all thanks to staying observant, being willing to adapt, and trusting that gut feeling. That move changed everything.