Claudia Darga: A Magical Return to Lake Pelagičevo

When Claudia Darga and Kristof Cuderman go carp fishing together, good things always happen! Here’s a run-down from Claudia on how their latest trip to Bosnia’s fabulous Lake Pelagičevo turned out…

Back to Bosnia – A Magical Return to Lake Pelagičevo

After four long years, I finally returned to Lake Pelagičevo in Bosnia. This trip was a little different, though. No mountain of tackle. No bedchair, bivvy, or dozens of rig wallets. Just a carry-on suitcase, a few clothes—and a whole lot of anticipation.

Travelling light isn’t exactly the typical way carp anglers like to fish. We love our gear. We love our routines. But as a mum, time is precious. And this short escape was exactly what I needed. My good friend Kristof had invited me to join him, and all I had to do was hop on a plane. No stress, no packing chaos. Just pure excitement for a few undisturbed days by the water.

Kristof and I have been fishing together for years. He’s one of those rare people you just click with—on and off the bank. When he invites me, I know it comes from the heart, and our trips have always been about friendship, family, and a shared passion for carp fishing.

Claudia and Kristof enjoy a special moment from an earlier trip together!

After a quick flight and a stopover in Zagreb, Kristof picked me up and we headed straight to the lake. The moment we arrived, I noticed how much had changed. The lake had been lovingly maintained—new trees and plants added, others carefully removed. Even the facilities had been upgraded. Clean showers, fresh WC areas—it all felt welcoming and professional. The whole vibe was simply beautiful.

Once we caught up with a few familiar faces on the bank, it was time to fish.

We kept it simple—no complicated strategies. We trusted in what we know works: Dynamite Baits. And for this session, our go-to was the Peppered Squid range, which has become a real favourite of ours. For a bit of variety, we also put out a few rods baited with the legendary Monster Tiger Nut—a classic that always delivers.

We had enough room to spread out and fish each rod differently, giving us a wide spectrum of opportunities. Like most anglers at Pelagičevo, we relied on the bait boat for precision. And it paid off.

To be honest—I lost count of how many fish we caught. From chunky mirrors to lean, powerful commons… big, small, heavy, sleek—each carp had its own character, and every take was as exciting as the first. There were hours when the lake went completely quiet. Still. Peaceful. And then, suddenly, chaos—multiple runs, screaming alarms, and stunning fish gracing the nets.

It’s hard to describe just how much this trip meant to me. Travelling with the bare minimum and still landing such a result—it felt almost unfair! But that’s carp fishing. Sometimes, the less you bring, the more you gain. And with the right bait and a trusted fishing partner, magic happens.

Until next time, Pelagičevo. And thank you, Dynamite Baits, for always making every trip one to remember!