Catch report - Harting Combe

Steve Burchell.

Combe.

Date:

10/09/2026

Time.

06.20am

Peg Number:	21	Weather:	Overcast, sun trying to break through
Air temp:	13.3°	Water temp:		17.2°, water level low but improving.

Equipment
Rod 1:	Size 16, 8lb line, feeder rod with cage feeder
Rod 2:	Float rod, not used
Bait.
8mm special mix boilie		10mm tutti fruity boilie
Krill ground bait with white rice and maize		Small red worms

Comments

Time.	06.42am	Changes (if any).	None.
Fishing tight to the lilies. Loaded feeder with ground bait. Tench number one was just about a 1lb.

Time.	07.15am	Changes (if any).	None
Recast same bait, tench number two 3lb.  the bites are not shy, but a savage take, pulling the indicator straight up.

Time.	07.45am	Changes (if any).	Swapped over to 10mm tutti fruity boilie
This change lasted 1/2hour before swapping back as it caused the unwanted attention of carp, who grabbed the bite and ploughed straight into the lily pads and shedding the hook each time.

Time.	08.10	Changes (if any).	Changed back to 8mm boilie
1 1/4lb tench then lots of small roach to 6oz, still not sure how they can get an 8mm boilie in their mouths.  Made a new friend who liked my rods and kept eyeing up my worm bait box,

Time.	08.40am	Changes (if any).	Sun starting to break through
Swim slowing down, so casted further round in the small bay, still tight to the pads. Instant take which produced a 4lb tench. The fish was lean and had a damaged mouth. Cleaned the mouth area and disinfected with carp care, it should heal up. Released and re-baited took another 4lb tench then the small silvers took over.

Time.	09.15am – 10.45am	Changes (if any).	Bright sun now on the water.
Bites slowed right down, take which produced a 6lb tench. Swim went dead, then massive take and hooked a large carp shedding the hook, this happened four more times, The carp had bullied the tench out of the swim and moved in, so it was time to leave. Spotted another swim which looks interesting for my next visit.

Tight lines.

Steve Burchell