Happenings at one lake I know lead me to the conclusion that this is little more than rubbish. There is little doubt in my mind that, like all creatures, fish will eat anything to keep body and soul together.

I will not dispute that, again like other creatures, fish of all species have a favourite nosh but, if it is not available, I am certain they will accept something else. Or, maybe, have an alternative just because they fancy something different for a change.

Examples? Okay, let us look at some offerings and the fish that have fallen for them. Many pike have taken worms and maggots although fish, and the occasional waterfowl, are obviously their more usual diet.

It is accepted that all fish will eat smaller ones but, even so, some species are not generally noted as carnivorous. All manner of species, however, fall for spinners and while it may be expected of say, chub and perch, others such as bream and carp are unusual but nevertheless occasional takers of lures.

I still find the most peculiar catches are those involving carp taken on offerings intended for pike and it is this phenomenon that has prompted me to write this piece.

The lake I mentioned earlier is known to contain a large number of small pike and it has also been known to turn up some whackers.

Naturally, it is fished by pike enthusiasts and so a great deal of bait intended for pike is introduced into the fishery. I am amazed at the number of carp – and some of them have been quite big fish – that have taken sardines and mackerel strip baits.

I think it started when anglers reported having searing runs that stopped suddenly and, when the tackle was retrieved, it was found that the belly of the sardine/sprat/herring had been ripped away.

In addition, many anglers lost fish when they were 'broken up' by a seemingly unstoppable force.

It happened more often than could be put down to 'just one of those things' and obviously something odd was afoot which encouraged anglers to speculate (as they do) and rumours spread quickly (as they will).

Did the lake hold big catfish? Was it true that a really big pike was lurking out there? Was it a zander? What about large eels? And then somebody caught a carp on a sprat! That gossip-inspiring catch was just the first of several and soon there were other such events being reported.

Obviously, these were not just flukes. The carp were not picking up these abnormal baits by accident and it all pointed to the fact that they were taking them intentionally because they actually wanted to eat them. But the number of waters where it happens is small.

Tip of the Week. Insufficient line on the reel spool is one of the commonest tackle boobs that beginners commit.

It makes casting so difficult, line retrieval is at a minimum and it tends to cause line twist.
Spools should be filled to within 3mm of the rim and, if the reel comes with deep spools, do not spend mega-money on line that will never be used. Use a 'backing' of wool, tape or cork until just 100 metres of line will fill the spool to the needed level.

BURY ST EDMUNDS ANGLING ASSOCIATION. Last week's veterans/disabled match started well weather-wise, but it was all too good to be true and it ended in torrential rain and tears.

The Water Lane venue certainly has not improved upon recent visits, in that there were a few decent weights made up of carp from tight-knitted shoals but other anglers struggled in vain.

Match winner Mick Smith weighed-in 19lb dead and behind him came Ray Fayers with 17lb 6oz and Jack Wetherill with 12lb 12oz.

Will members please note that there will be a match at Water Lane for the Pageant Cup on Sunday, May 11.

Members' names should be submitted at Tackle Up – no later than noon on the Saturday prior to the match or contact Keith Smith on 07913 822038.