Local pit 1.11.2013

I was sat at home on the 1st November listening to the fireworks going off prematurely, I looked at the weather to see what it was doing for the night ahead which was wet and windy but the pressure was really low so my mind was made up. I decided to hit a local pit as I knew it was generally good for a bite and held some decent fish.
I rang my mate Matt to see if he fancied a night on the bank and hour or so later we arrived at the pit. The light was fading quick so it was a rush to get everything set up Matt took care of that while I went through the usual routine of setting up the rods.
The spots I would be fishing were spots I have fished before both across to the far margin as tight as you can possibly get it. As the weather had predicted it was raining and by the time we sat down we were both soaking wet through.
The kettle had just boiled when I had a drop back on the left hand rod, I rushed out picked up into it and instantly knew it was a little bream (gutted) the 1st cast to that spot was perfect and now I had to chuck back out in the pitch black with the wind and the rain in my face,at least I new my rigs were working as it nailed plum in the middle of its bottom lip,I unhooked it in the net and let back. Fortunately I always mark my spot with some tape on the line.
After walking my rods out to my marker I put a fresh rig on with a pva stick and cast it back out. I hit the clip and felt the lead down with a clunk I knew I was on a clear spot and the bait was presented correctly.
After getting back into the bivvy still wet through I stripped off and got into some dry clothes id brought with me unfortunately Matt wasn't so lucky and had a very uncomfortable night ahead of him. We made a brew and I went through a couple of rigs with Matt and should how and why they work and before we knew it it was 10pm and we decided to get out heads down as the weather wasn't looking any better just seemed to be getting worse.
I was awoke at 1am by a roaring take which wasn't alarming to me but Matt jumped out if his skin and ran around like a headless chicken not knowing where he was or what he was doing!!! By the time he had woke up properly the fish was ready for landing, which he proceeded to do quite well. I could tell it was a decent size of fish, so left it resting in the net whilst we ran around getting scales, camera etc (it's much safer and easier to leave the fish resting in the net for 5 mins whilst you sort yourself out,rather then leaving the fish flapping around on the mat).
After getting the fish out safely and placing it on the mat the hook just popped out of its mouth which so often happens. This beautiful long lump of muscle came in at 21lb 14. A new fish to me I had never seen this one before. This put a real smile on my face and excited Matt as he had never seen a fish this size and was just getting into carp fishing.

After slipping the fish back I went through my usual routine of walking the rods out to the mark, clipping up and putting on a fresh rig. I cast it out to the same spot, put a few more freebies over the top and got back into the bivvy to try and get warm as it was still raining and I had no more dry clothes!
The rest of the night passed without a take and come 8am both me and Matt were ready to go home as we were both soaked through.
Even though the conditions wernt brilliant and I was only there for 15 hours I managed to bag a really nice looking fish,a wise man once told me effort equals reward and this is the proof in the pudding.