4/9/2011 + SK4’s = 3 x 20’s

Now the above title may look like a mathematical puzzle that Pythagoras would have been proud to have solved, it is actually the date when I used my new SK4’s for the first time and subsequently landed three twenty plus carp on them. My interest in Sonik first started when on a trip to see Ray Best at UKMA, I looked at a set of the new SK4 rods for the first time, I was immediately impressed by their build quality and the fantastic price at which you could purchase a set. I was also amazed at the deal Sonik were offering at the time; buy two rods get a third free. On seeing how impressed I was with the rods, Ray subsequently asked me if I had a rod deal? After an initial phone call to Ian McCormack followed by an exchange of numerous emails my association with Sonik started in the shape of a rod sponsorship deal. After a telephone conversation with Jill at Sonik Sports my set of three SK4’s in 3.25 t/c were sent out to me, I was going on holiday to Egypt at the time and on my return the rods were waiting for me. I opened my parcel and looked at the rods and decided I needed to get out on the bank and give them a go. It would have to be the next time I was “off” shift, so plans were made to do a 24hr session the following Sunday night.

I awoke on the Sunday morning to blustery wind and heavy rain, the weather had improved slightly by later in the day but conditions were perfect so at 4.30 p.m I set off on the journey that would take me to my syndicate lake. To briefly describe the lake it is a small, mature gravel pit of around eight acres in size, fished by a non-profit making syndicate, with the features you would expect from a gravel pit. Reeded margins all round with a mature tree line, an island, gravel bars, deep areas, shallow areas, e.t.c, e.t.c.

On arrival a strong southwesterly was blowing into the top left hand corner of the lake. In the furthest part of this corner are the shallows where fish can often be seen cruising around on warm days. I decided to have a wander round and on arrival in a swim just down from the shallows a big common decided to show itself, within minutes another fish stuck it’s head out. I carried on my journey around the lake but didn’t see anything else so decided that in view of the conditions and the fish I had seen that the swim previously mentioned would be where I’d start my session.

On arrival back in the swim another fish showed itself just off the island to my right, it is a small island with a gravel bar running off both sides. The weed in the lake is quite bad at the moment but when I cast the first of my SK4’s to the spot where the fish had just shown I got a good “donk” and found that I was on a nice clear spot so I clipped up, marked my line and recast back on the spot with a single 20mm hookbait fished in conjunction with a chilli based stick mix followed by around a hundred freebies. The same was done with my two other rods. The first one cast to a clear, gravelly spot just over the bar at around 80yds. I couldn’t believe the ease, with which I hit the spot. I was already very pleased with the performance of the rods and I just needed to get a fish on them and I didn’t have to wait long. My third rod was cast to another clear spot at the bottom of the shelf just off the shallows; again with a single 20mm hookbait and a chilli based stick mix.

After about an hour (just as I was making a bit of dinner) my middle rod cast to the other side of the bar produced a single bleep followed by a drop back, I lifted the rod and wound down and immediately came into contact with what felt like a good fish. After a spirited fight a nice mirror was on the unhooking mat that on the scales went 25lb 8oz. Not only was I pleased with my almost immediate success but also I was equally pleased with the performance of my new rods. I wasn’t sure what test curve to go for when I first ordered them and after a discussion with Ray I opted for the 3.25’s, I had a slight reservation that they may be a bit heavy for the style of fishing I do but any doubts were gone after playing that first fish. What I was using was a rod that had the backbone to put a baited rig a fair distance (even when using a bag or stick mix) but also a perfect action that is needed when a fish is fighting hard under the rod tip. I eventually managed to have some dinner and a cuppa and also fed my fishing companion (Bailey my Jack Russell) before deciding to hit the sack for the night. A couple of hours of heavy rain and winds followed and I had just nodded off when at three a.m my left hand rod ripped off resulting again in another nice mirror, this time weighing in at 25lb 12oz. With pictures taken I quickly returned her and set about recasting back to the spot just off the shallows. Once again I was very pleased with the performance of the rod, but the best was still to come!

At six a.m I received another single bleep and substantial drop back, after lifting the rod and retrieving the slack line I was again met with the resistance you get from a heavy fish, it was a slow steady fight until I got her close in and then all hell let loose. As is often the case with a decent fish, once in the margins she decided to fight for her life with immense power. This was when the rods came into their own, I was amazed at how well they cushioned every lunge and run the fish made in her bid for freedom. I have heard of people saying they have lost fish in close due to hook pulls when using a heavier test curve rod. At no point during the scrap did I feel this would be the case and the rods, despite their test curve, performed above and beyond my expectations. I had indeed made the right choice and I would highly recommend the use of Sonik rods to anybody in the future. After a cracking scrap a big common lay on the mat. She went 29lb 12oz and after taking some pictures I returned her to fight another day. This was to be the last of the action and despite casting to some showing fish at around 120yds (again the rods were more than capable of this) I didn’t have any more takes. I have to say though it was a very happy angler that headed for home with three twenties under his belt. I was also happy to have caught on my new SK4’s, and not just on one of them. I had caught a fish on each of my three rods and was really pleased with their performance, if only all field-testing trips were this successful????? I was due back at work a couple of days after the session, but I was soon planning another trip out for next time I’d be “off” shift so that I can use the new rods again!

Until next time, tight lines

Rich “Fat bloke” Adams
(Sonik Carp Team)

Rich Adams is sponsored by Sonik Sports, Gardner Tackle & Mistral Baits