5 Days. 3 Lakes. Carp Blues & Big Breakthroughs.
The original plan was simple: five nights at the famous Norton Disney. Team packed, bait fresh, and motivation through the roof. Reality? Different story.
🚧 The Norton Knockback
When we landed, half the complex was shut for filming and events. We were 12th, 13th and 14th in the queue, and the confidence drained quicker than a brew in winter. After a long walk and a chat with anglers already on, it didn’t feel right.
So… regroup at McDonald’s. Nuggets, caffeine, and a new plan.
🚗 Venue Two – No Vibes at A1
A1 Pits was just five minutes down the road, so we gave it a look. Same story – didn’t click. We wanted a proper test, not a half-hearted sit.
🎯 Venue Three – The Mystery Lake
Phones out, bailiffs called, and 45 minutes later we’re stood with “Frank” – head bailiff, chief speed enforcement officer, and wearing a t-shirt so tight it looked spray-painted on. The stock ran to mid-30s with a high double average. The lake itself? Beautiful and mature, tree-lined… but the pegs looked like military dugouts. With the bivvy up I didn’t know whether to fish or keep watch for enemy fire.
Weather was spot-on: 20 degrees with a light breeze. I went in with three rods – one Purple Aki Wafter, two on The Squeeze Pop Ups. Connor and Terry mirrored with their own A.K.I. setups.
Twenty minutes later, carnage. Connor was in first with a small common around 8lb. I followed with a 6lb common, Terry with another. This pace didn’t stop. For hours, we hauled in small carp, topping out at 11lb.
Fun? Yeah. Testing? Not really. We switched hookbaits, rigs, tried to pick out the bigger ones – same result. At first light, we made the call: time to move again.
🐟 Venue Four – Blue Bell Lakes
If you know, you know. Legendary water, big reputation, and stories of heartbreak and glory. With fingers crossed, we grabbed pegs on Mallard Lake.
By the time we set up, the light was dipping. We found a clear spot in the weed at 12 wraps, dropped three rods on spinner rigs with 14mm The Squeeze Pop Ups, and settled in.
First 24 hours: dead. Not a bleep. Nobody else had a bite either, so at least the blanks weren’t personal. The second night rolled in the same way – until, early morning, my right-hand rod melted off.
The fight was heavy, plodding – you know that lump feeling. After 15 minutes mainly under the rod tip, she rolled into the net: a stunning old mirror, chestnut-backed with a tail like a tennis racket. The scales hit bang on 30lb. A proper Blue Bell beauty.
Buzzing, I topped the spot with five spods. Then the weather switched – wind picked up, rain lashed down, overcast skies. The lake came alive. Carp were jumping like dolphins across the water. You could feel a bite brewing.
By nightfall, I re-did all three rods and dumped another 10 spods. At 1:30am, the left rod tore off. Heavy fish… then gone. Hook pull. The one that got away.
I sulked into the bag, thinking that was my chance. But at 2:30am, redemption – the right rod ripped, and after another proper battle, I netted a 25lb mirror. Topped the spot again at 3am with another 15 spods. Hard work – but worth it.
By 7am, the same rod went again with a 23lb mirror. Smaller, but scale-perfect and just as special.
My ticket was up at 6pm. I sat it out, praying for one more, but time beat me. Packing up was painful – the carp blues hit before I’d even left the gate. I wanted to spin the truck around and do it all again.
💭 The Wrap-Up
Three lakes in five days. One dead-end, one numbers game, and finally – Blue Bell redemption with three mirrors to 30lb. Testing isn’t meant to be easy. That’s why we do it.
This trip proved what we already knew: the A.K.I. range holds its own on pressured venues. More importantly, the graft, the laughs, and the lessons mean more than likes.
Baits by A.K.I. – Earned on the bank, not in the comments.