Taylor wins epic £3,000 Fish to Win finale
Robbie Taylor has pocketed £3,000 with victory in the 2011 Fish To Win final at Monk Lakes in Kent.
The 24-year-old Preston Innovations Delcac team man recorded 154lb 10oz from peg 60 on Lake 2.
His catch just pipped a chasing pack, with Guildford Angling Centre’s Ian McLaren finishing second with 147lb and Garbolino Apollo rod Russ Berryman the next best with 128lb. For more on Robbie’s winning tactics see this week’s Angling Times.
New Essex winter league
Organisers are on the lookout for more anglers to fish a new teams of four Essex winter league.
The league kicks off on November 13 and runs up until Christmas tackling both commercials and canals.
The action starts at Tyler’s Common followed by Slough House Lake on November 27 which will be silver-fish only. Cuton Lakes and the Maldon Canal will round things off on December 4 and 11.
Entry is £30 per team followed by £20 pools per match per angler, with an optional super pool at £5.
To book on, give Dave Lewis a call on 01245 361981 or 07979 798108.
Middy announces new sponsored anglers
Popular tackle manufacturer Middy has up signed several successful match anglers to use and endorse its products.
These include former 3 x British match record holder and renowned paste fishing expert Steve Gregory, who is based in Lincolnshire.
Also former England U21 international and Fish O’ Mania runner up Lee Thornton joins the Derbyshire outfit, along with a host of younger anglers
Brothers' big trout joy!
Brothers Ken and Dave Allen, from North Shields, had a great free day’s fishing at Chatton Lakes using their full loyalty cards.
Ken caught his 6lb 2oz rainbow on a black lure from Dunnydeer Lake while Dave weighed in with his two rainbows weighing in at 7lb on a White Zonker, also from Dunnydeer Lake.
Inshore marks producing bass
Ray Crowe, a 45-year-old plasterer from High Wycombe in Bucks, fished aboard Dick Peckham’s Poole, Dorset-based Strongbow with a mackerel livebait to take this 7lb-plus bass.
“We had a great day’s inshore bassing,” says Ray, “and I really enjoyed playing this fish out to the side of the boat.”
UK's biggest carp landed at 60lb 6oz
The biggest carp in the country has been caught by Rob Marsh with this huge 60lb 6oz mirror from Elphicks Fisheries’ North Lake.
The 42-year-old carp tutor landed the chunky specimen on only his third session on the Kent day-ticket water and it was taken from a spot which he had been baiting with a mixture of 10mm Mainline Cell boilies, Cell Response pellets, Hinders Salamiz Hemp and Mini Combi Pellets.
When he arrived for his latest session he found one of the swims which he’d been baiting free, and deposited 3kg of mix and two hookbaits on the spot.
“My first take ended up with me losing a good fish at the net,” Rob explained. “I then landed a 22lb mirror and spodded out another 2kg of bait. I was up early as I had to be off the lake by 7am and at 6.30am one of my alarms burst into life. After a good battle I slipped the net under a cracking mirror which I thought was a good forty. When I lifted her out, though, I soon realised it was the Big Girl. On the scales she went 60lb 6oz and I was over the moon.”
Rob’s successful presentation consisted of a 14mm Mainline Cell hookbait tipped with half a pineapple pop-up on a size 6 Atomic Tackle Haula hook and a 15lb Jel-E-Wyre hooklink.
Elphicks’ Big Girl is the second carp to break through the 60lb-barrier in recent weeks following Chris Robson’s capture of the Parrot from a southern syndicate water at 60lb 4oz. Both fish are now being tipped as potential future British record carp - a title currently held by Two Tone which peaked at 67lb 14oz before its death in 2010.
Korda Telling Tales 2011 coming soon
Early December sees the launch of Telling Tales 2011, Korda’s second yearbook. Its 17 chapters chart the fishing year, as experienced by the lads who work at Korda. Every twist and turn, every smouldering dawn and steaming kettle on the way to final success is documented, in full colour.
The book features headline contributions from Danny Fairbrass, Ali Hamidi, Damian Clarke, Adam Penning, Darrell Peck and Tom Dove, along with a few lads who usually stay clear of the limelight! The chapters cover a real range of fishing, stretching from the capture of one of the very biggest carp in the world, right through to UK day-ticket fishing and the secret world of the under-the-radar club water!
As with the last offering, these stories are richly illustrated with stunning images and full-page plates. Although it has been produced a classy, coffee-table publication, Telling Tales also features plenty of the tips and tactics that you’d expect from Korda, subtly interwoven into the chapters.
Telling Tales 2011 retails for £29.99 and will be available from Korda stockists. Thirty number of high-quality, collectors-edition, leather-bound copies will be available. Please phone Korda on 01268 522417 for more details.
Famous roach river given major boost
A river that was once widely regarded as the best roach river in the country could be set to make a major comeback after officials revealed that thousands of fish were set to be introduced into the venue.
The southern waterway, which has produced redfins over the 3lb mark in the past, has been subject to a special project aimed at boosting fish stocks and the people involved have announced all their hardwork is about to pay off.
“This river has been hit hard over the years by predation and abstraction but this stocking could be the start of yet another golden period,” explained a source close to the scheme.
To find out which river is receiving the makeover and more about the unique project, pick up a copy of next week’s Angling Times, on the shelves from Tuesday November 8.
Specimen roach banked in Messingham Sands match
The first silverfish event of the year at Messingham Sands turned out to be a memorable one for Steve Ellis after he netted a 2lb 14oz roach.
After tackling up on the popular Island Pool and the Scunthorpe complex, the former Division One National champion decided to fish casters on a light rig and was rewarded with lots of smaller samples before the specimen made an appearance.
Unfortunately he was unable to gain a place in the frame, with venue boss Kevin Johnson sealing the victory with 39lb 11oz of redfins and skimmers.
Potential World Record Perch Landed
Could this be the picture of a new world record perch? Experts estimate its weight to be around the 7 – 8lb mark although the 19ins long fish taken by Alrik Nedermeijer in Holland was not weighed.
It came from the Hollandsch Diep River system and the Savage Gear consultant initially thought he had hooked a small pike.
For the full story and reaction to the catch check out this week’s Angling Times.
Alders Farm launch new website
Top bagging water Alders Farm has launched a new website which is set to be updated on a daily basis.
The Buckinghamshire-complex has produced mammoth weights to over 500lb this year and the new site will be packed with information about the lakes, current hot tactics and match results.
Details on forthcoming events will also be posted to prevent pleasure anglers making wasted journeys.
For more information visit www.aldersfarm.com
Lincolnshire's Fossdyke hits top form
Lincolnshire’s Fossdyke Canal is one of the country’s most inform venues for nets of roach and big perch, with recent events being won with catches up to 20lb.
Most matches on the venue near Lincoln feature several huge stripeys which have been taken to over 4lb in competitions and last week Angling Times visited the venue with local expert Steve Winter.
To read Steve’s devastatingly effect tips and tricks, see this week’s Angling Times.
Town celebrates first ever 100lb plus match weight
Triple figure weights may be commonplace across the country but Andrew Mitchell became the first man ever to do the ton during a match in the North West town of Oldham.
The Failsworth-based rod managed to land a place in the record books when he took 101lb 4oz during the contest at Chadderton Mill Lodge and also sealed himself a place in the final of the Dave Slattery Memorial series.
After drawing peg 6 at the popular water, Andrew was able to keep fish coming to the net throughout the day, with 60 ide and 21 carp in his keepnets come the final whistle.
Sean Leverett joins Sticky
Nobody can have failed to notice the impact Sticky have been having on the bait scene recently. The rapidly-expanding bait manufacturer have introduced some outstanding, highly innovative products which have helped anglers all around the country bag their target fish or bank a new personal best.
The latest announcement from the forward-thinking bait buffs is that top-flight big-carp catcher Sean Leverett has joined their ranks as a consultant.
Sticky's media and marketing man, Adam Snowden, revealed: “I have known Sean for several years and have the greatest respect for him. He has drive and determination which few can match. No matter what the weather may throw at him, you can always find Sean out there doing it, trying to track down his latest target fish from some of the hardest waters around. He has an in-depth knowledge of big-carp fishing and the bait needed to catch them. Sean will play a vital part in our bait development plans and will also be heavily involved with promoting the brand. It's a pleasure having him as part of the Sticky team and everyone is looking forward to working alongside him.”
Speaking about his new position, Sean commented: “I am delighted to be joining Sticky as using the best bait possible is of great importance to me. With Sticky's unique attitude towards research, development and only using the very best ingredients to produce the very best bait, it was an easy decision for me to become part of their team. They certainly have some big plans for the future and I'm really excited about being part of them.”
You can keep up with all the latest news and developments from Sticky by checking out the Sticky Baits group on Facebook. Keep your eyes peeled for lots of exciting developments over the coming months.
Thousands of new fish stocked at Bradshaw Fishery
A top commercial complex has continued its drive to improve sport for visitors by introducing thousands of new fish into the waters.
Lancashire’s Bradshaw Hall Fisheries has recently come under new ownership and bosses have stamped their mark on the site quickly by adding 2000 barbel, 2000 chub and 1000 tench.
The venue is also looking to rename the lakes and is on the hunt for suggestions from anglers during the process.
For more details visit www.bradshawhallfisheries.com
Four thirties in two sessions
Rich Seeds has been in a rich vein on the Carp Society’s Farriers Lake, banking four thirties on his last two sessions.
On the first trip he landed commons of 28lb 10oz, 32lb 6oz and 31lb 5oz from areas of light weed at 30yds and 65yds which he baited with 2kg of Sticky Vor-Tex 20mm boilies and 1kg of Sticky Krill Pellets. Over the top of this he offered snowman style hookbaits on combi-rigs tied with Korda IQ2 Fluorocarbon and Supernatural hooklinks.
The following week he found a few fish showing on the end of a strong westerly wind and using similar tactics he netted two commons weighing 33lb 10oz and 34lb 12oz.
Bury Hill Fisheries produces huge zander
Teenager Jake Curry was left elated after he landed a 13lb 14oz zander during his latest session at Surrey’s Bury Hill Fisheries.
The Hampshire-based rod decided to make the trek to the complex to enjoy a day’s tuition with Korum ace Duncan Charman and managed to fool the new personal best with a small hair-rigged section of sardine.
Incredibly, he was also able to tempt two carp to 15lb to take the same bait during the memorable outing!
Target fish caught after 18 months
After photographing this mirror from an Essex syndicate for another angler 18 months ago, Carl Hoyle set his sights on catching it. And he recently achieved his target when he landed the chunky specimen at a weight of 36lb 2oz.
It was part of a four fish catch which also included carp of 29lb 9oz, 28lb 4oz and 22lb, all of which were taken on snowman rigs tied with Fox Coretex hooklinks and size 7 Fox Arma Point SR hooks over 2kg of Mainline Baits Cell boilies.
Lindholme Lakes agony for local ace Norris
A single fish can be the difference between success and failure as Greg Norris found out when he lost out on a £500 bonus by less than 2lb during the latest event at Lindholme Lakes.
The venue regular fished pellet at the Lincolnshire complex to amass a mixed bag from golden peg 14 on Willows Lake that sent the scales round to 96lb 3oz.
Although most of his rivals claimed he would have done enough to secure the cash prize, the glory was stolen from him when Dave Wright recorded 97lb 4oz from peg 19 on the same water.
McManus on the big bream.....again!!
Former bream record holder Lee McManus has continued his run of hot autumn form at Swithland reservoir with this stunning 16lb 4oz bream, one of four doubles taken in a night.
A single grain of artificial sweetcorn was the successful bait for the 37-year-old, who first hit the headlines way back in July 1999 after catching a British best bream of 16lb 10oz from the picturesque and vast Leicestershire venue.
Lee’s latest heavyweight was taken alongside fish of 11lb 2oz, 12lb 4oz and 13lb, with the first bite coming at 11.30pm, and the last at 8am, just as he was packing away to go to work.
For the full story, plus tips and tactics, see tomorrow’s Angling Times.
