The morning of the match we got up to the first hard frost of the year, so I was expecting a fairly low weight to win. 40-50lb of F1’s had been winning before it turned so cold.

I decided on a cautious approach feeding small amounts of dampened 1mm Fin-perfect feed pellets and fishing a 4mm Fin-perfect expander on a size 18 PR32 hook to 0.11 power line and a 4 x 12 dura  8 float.

After about 30 mins I started to get a few indications, you had to have your float bristle dotted right down and gently lift or drag your float from side to side to induce a bite. Fishing a very short line 6inches from float to pole tip and lifting at every indication I was gradually putting a few F1’s in the net, feeding a thumb nail size pinch of 1mm feed pellets after each fish.

I could see anglers opposite putting in full kinder cups and their bites had dried up, you had to feed for one fish at a time and constantly work your bait. It was hard work but enjoyable on a very cold day. I ended up with 36lb of F1’s and won the match by a clear 9lbs.

Bait preparation

Fin-perfect 1mm feed pellets are perfect for winter carping, plenty of small particles to keep fish in your peg without filling them up. When you get to your peg cover them in water for 20 seconds then drain off they keep their shape well, not like some micros that go to mush, so you can squeeze them into small balls if you need to get them down into deeper water or if it’s towing.