Brace of fifties for Nash's Jack Brown

Jack Brown has become one of an elite group of anglers who can lay claim to catching a brace of UK fifties after landing a 52lb 1oz common and a 50lb mirror from Kevin Nash’s Church Lake in Essex.

It was a case of hard work and patience paying off for the Leighton Buzzard-based angling apprentice who changed swims three times to keep on top of the fish.

The first day of his 72 hour session passed without event, and with the wind pushing into a bay on his right he decided a move was on the cards. Just as the light was fading on the second evening he saw a patch of fizzing close to an island and flicked a rig onto a clear patch just behind the feeding fish.

Shortly afterwards one of his alarms screamed into life and a mammoth 45 minute fight followed.
“The fish weeded me up solid and I had to go out in the boat to get above it and pull it free,” Jack told Angling Times. “I eventually bundled a huge pile of weed into the net, and I couldn’t actually see which fish it was. At this point I realised I’d left the oars on the bank and as there was no breeze I was stuck in the middle of the lake! I managed to shout one of the warehouse lads, Scott, who thankfully rowed out and helped me back to the bank. When we pulled back the weed I was greeted by the incredible sight of a huge common, which at 52lb 1oz beat my pb by just over 1lb.”
The next day he moved swims again to get a better line lay, and that night he completed his historic brace with a 50lb mirror.

“The fish put up another good fight but thankfully wasn’t quite as eventful as the first one. One of the other Nash lads who was with me said it looked like a decent fish while I was playing it, and I was literally speechless when the scales went round to 50lb. To have one fifty was amazing, but to have two in a session is something I could never have dreamed of.”

Both of his fish were taken on 15mm Nash White Monster Squid pop-ups over a scattering of whole and chopped Monster Squid red boilies with a few handfuls of hemp and maggots. “Using a light coloured hookbait over darker free offerings is a tactic I use a lot as it makes your hookbait stand out and the fish definitely home in on it quicker. I mounted my pop-ups on stiff-hinged rigs which are a great big fish presentation because they present the baits perfectly for the way the bigger carp feed.
Both of my fish were nailed squarely in the bottom lip and there’s no way they were coming off.”

Incredibly, at the age of 20 Jack now has three fifties to his name, and only a week earlier he landed a 40lb 8oz mirror from an Oxfordshire syndicate.



Target achieved

At the start of the year Mark Pitchers set himself the target of catching thirty UK 30lb-plus carp and he recently achieved this with a four fish haul from an Essex syndicate water which was topped by a 42lb 3oz mirror carp.

The 33-year-old Yorkshire-based fishery owner also landed fish of 37lb, 32lb 2oz and 26lb 4oz during the productive 48 hour session.

Heavy baiting tactics proved successful and he presented a snowman hookbait consisting of a Sticky Vor-tex bottom bait tipped with a 12mm Buchu Berry pop-up over 3kg of Vor-tex and Bloodworm freezer baits.

Mark fished his hookbaits on blow-back rigs tied with Fox 15lb Reflex hooklinks and size 6 Fox Kuro S4 hooks with a 3oz inline flat pear lead.




Harman on the big barbel....again!

Big fish all-rounder Dave Harman's rich run of form on the Dorset Stour has continued with the capture of this 14lb 7oz barbel.

A boilie hookbait presented on a coated braid hooklink did the business for the former Drennan Cup winner, who only last week hit the headlines after banking a fine 2lb 10oz roach from the same river.

In the same overnight session as his barbel, Dave also took another smaller example of the species weighing 7lb, as well as a 5lb 10oz chub. 


Huge barbel catch tops Warks Avon match

A hungry shoal of barbel kept Steve Robson busy during the latest event on the Warwickshire Avon and he eventually placed an impressive 94lb 9oz winning haul on to the scales.

The Cradley Heath Labour rod decided to use stickfloat and maggot tactics after drawing just below Jubilee Bridge on the Fladbury section and was able to fool specimens to over 12lb during the five hour competition.

Elsewhere his rivals struggled to entice a bite, with Richie Owen needing just 5lb 15oz to secure the runners up spot.


Big cod heads list of bumper catches

Boat anglers are enjoying a bonanza due to the fact that the summer fish haven’t quit the coast because of the warm weather, and the winter species have moved in boosting everyone’s fishing prospects.

Mark Davey from Milton Keynes proves the point with this 23lb cod, caught from the Weymouth-based Duchess II on a squid mackerel cocktail fished on a Pennell rig.

The boat's skipper Jeff Clarke revealed that over the same weekend his crews also landed big numbers of black bream and pollack to 16lb.

 


Barbel key to Walton's Westwood Lakes win

The big shoals of hungry barbel went into a feeding frenzy during the latest event at Westwood Lakes and Gary Walton took full advantage of that fact to haul out a winning 108lb 6oz bag.

After drawing peg 11 on Kestrel Lake at the Lincolnshire venue, the Spilsby AC man decided to use waggler and maggot tactics to land fish nudging double figures throughout the competition.

Several big pleasure weights of the species have also been taken from the lake in recent weeks, with pegs 9 to 11 the hotspots.


37lb 4oz Catch 22 common for Lee Nobbs

Lee Nobbs has been in a rich vein of form on Catch 22’s syndicate water, landing no less than 20 carp including eight different thirties topped by this 37lb 4oz common in the last few weeks.

The Norfolk-based venue bailiff has been targeting a silty gulley and has also landed linears of 36lb and 35lb, and commons of 35lb 1oz and 34lb.

Lee baited the feature with 2kg of Premier Baits Matrix boilies per fish, and used matching hookbaits on blow-back rigs on a running lead system.


Wright takes glory in Holgan Farm festival

Former Fish O Mania champion Clive Wright added yet another title to his trophy cabinet by winning the annual Holgan Farm Festival.

The Mosella and Willis Worms rod managed to notch up section wins on each of the three days of the event at the Pembrokeshire complex to record a perfect score and fend off the competition of Chris Barley who sealed second place.

Clive’s best outing of the event came on the Match Lake, with pole and pellet tactics helping him tempt carp to 6lb for an overall bag of 121lb 1oz.


Massive Severn zander banked!

Predator fishing fanatic Graham Howes has only just began targeting the River Severn’s zander population, but that hasn’t stopped him getting among the big fish right from the off, with this superb 16lb 8oz new personal best the pick of his catches.

The Stockport-based angler, whose previous biggest for the species stood at 11lb 2oz, used a running leger rig with a head of a roach mounted on a single size 8 treble, cast to the far side of the river.

“This was only my third session on the river and after this fish I’ve really got the bug and all I can think about is coming and giving it another go. The Severn holds endless potential,” said Graham.


Big fish attack helps Hellewell bag victory on Huddersfield Broad Canal

A big fish approach helped Martin Hellewell seal victory during the latest match on the Huddersfield Broad Canal.

The Trabucco Halifax rod decided to use double caster towards overhanging cover from a peg close to Cooper Bridge during the Mirfield AC Huddersfield Broad Canal Champs and was able to extract five big chub to over 4lb.

A few small roach were added later in the event and he was able to place a table topping 22lb 4oz on to the scales.

Runner up Chris Lees was never in contention to take the victory and took a bream and plenty of small roach for 9lb 4oz.


Double figure predator falls to bream tactics!

A short session in search of the bream shoals at Bury Hill Fisheries ended with Barry Ryan slipping the net under this surprise 11lb 3oz zander.

The venue regular – who has only just taken fishing back up after a 25 year break - decided to pay the Old Lake a visit at the Surrey complex and opted to use a simple maggot feeder setup with 4lb mainline and a lobworm on a size 16 hook.

After failing to register any indications on the tip in the opening stages of the outing it eventually arched round.

Despite expecting a big slab to break the surface, Barry was left shocked when the huge predator slid over the waiting net.
“I only get a few hours after work but this capture makes the trip more than worthwhile,” commented Barry.

 


Top mixed day ticket water created at popular commercial

A venue that has gained a national reputation for its carp bagging exploits has moved to give its customers more variety by opening one of the best mixed waters in the country.

The southern complex has produced carp weights to over 500lb in five hour competitions this year and although it has been praised for its unique qualities, others have claimed the sport is too extreme and have been crying out for an alternative.

In a bid to cater for everyone, bosses have stocked big slabs, tench, rudd and hybrids into the Specimen Lake which is also home to pristine mirrors and commons to well over 20lb.

“It’s the perfect lake. When the float sinks under you don’t know what is on the other end – it could be a 1oz rudd or a 20lb carp and it’s fishable on a day ticket,” explained venue regular Mal Talbot.

For more details on the complex and the major development, pick up a copy of this week’s Angling Times, on the shelves from Tuesday November 15.


Double boilie hookbait fools 40lb 1oz mirror

Sticky consultant Sean Leverett found success during a 72-hour session at CEMEX Angling's Horton Church Lake when he landed this 40lb 1oz mirror known as the Virginian.
 
Essex-based Sean takes up the story: “After arriving at the lake in the early hours of Monday morning at around 1.30am, I walked the lake until first light looking for signs of fish activity. The only signs of fish I found were in a swim known as the Sick, but that was taken by a chap who was fortunately leaving later that afternoon. I dropped into a nearby swim until he left and then I moved into the Sick. The fish were showing at various ranges between 40 and 65 yards range so I positioned all three rods on different spots, one at 40yds range on ESP plastic corn, one at
50yds on a Sticky Vor-Tex bottom bait topped with ESP plastic corn and the final one at 65yds on double 12mm Sticky White Chocolate pop-ups. I baited each spot with a scattering of 16mm Vor-Tex boilies. There were plenty of fish showing throughout the night, but I had to wait until just before midnight the following day before I received a take from the long rod. The fish came in relatively easily at first but when I got it to within a few yards of the net it went absolutely ballistic and it took me a further 10 minutes to get it in the net. Once in the net I got a hand from the guy next door to me and together we weighed the fish on my tripod in order to get an accurate reading. The needle settled at 40lb 1oz and we recognised it as a carp known as the Virginian. After a few photos she was safely returned to her home none the worse for the ordeal. This was my first time using Sticky products and also my first session since becoming an ESP consultant. Let’s hope it's a sign of good things to come.”
 
Sean offered his Sticky White Chocolate hookbait on a rig tied with a size 7 ESP Curve-Shanx hook and a Ghost hooklink. Other winning tackle included an Ejector Lead Clip and Tail Rubber, Diffusion Camo Leader, Nash Extreme 12ft 3½lb TC rod and Daiwa SS3000 reel loaded with Syncro XT main line.


Sandeel lures big blonde

A sandeel bait presented on a 3/0 Pennell pulley rig proved the winning combination for Alex McKay when he caught this fine 14lb 12oz blonde ray.

The Welsh angler, from Llantwit Major, fished a rough ground mark near Aberthaw to make the catch, after which he said: "This is a personal best ray for me so I’m over the moon!”

He fished with his pal, John Austin, who had an 8lb specimen along with some open ground conger on the same trip.


Teenager stuns rivals in Blundells Fishery event

Teenager Jack Howarth proved he is able to compete with the big boys on the match scene after he landed his second victory in a month at Blundells Fishery.

The 14-year-old – who has just netted a sponsorship with Mosella as a result of his recent success – blew away an experienced field at the Cheshire complex after he used long pole and pellet from peg 7 on Pine Pool for a winning 111lb 7oz.

No other angler was able to break the triple figure barrier on the day, with John Kerwin taking 77lb 12oz for second place and Kieron Rich just behind in third with 72lb 8oz.


Goddard bags Stafford Moor Silvermaniac title

Daiwa Dorking ace Mark Goddard walked away from Stafford Moor £1,000 richer after he landed the coveted Silvermaniac Final trophy with 42lb 3oz.

After drawing peg 5 on the prolific Tanners Lake at the Devon complex, Mark decided to use a small expander pellet over micros and the odd ball of groundbait to tempt quality skimmers and the odd tench throughout the competition.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Mark though, with several of his rivals breathing down his neck right until the all out.

Preston Innovations ace Des Shipp has already won the title once in the past and came close again with 41-2-0 which was good enough for second and £500 in winnings.


Brice crowned Angling Trust Pike Champion

Peter Brice has been crowned this year’s Angling Trust Pike Champion after banking two fish for 35lb 12oz last weekend from Whittlesey's 20ft river.

Peter’s first run early in the match resulted in a 7lb-plus zander. However, his next two takes produced two double-figure pike to sardines offered on a straight ledger rig cast to the far bank.

Peter’s first fish was an impressive 19lb 14oz specimen and just 45 minutes later he put the net under his second pike of 15lb 14oz giving him a total weight of 35lb 12oz.

Colin Bartrum from Wisbech finished in runners-up position taking six fish for 28lb 13oz. Hot on his heels was third placed Robert Harden of Letchworth weighed in five fish for 28lb 4oz.

Results (189 anglers competed on Whittlesey AA waters):
1. P Brice (Bicester) 35-12-0 (two fish of 19-14-0 and 15-14-0); 2. C Bartum (Wisbech) 28-13-0 (six fish of 1-9-0, 2-4-0, 1-7-0, 2-6-0, 9-2-0, 12-1-0); 3. R Harden (Letchworth) 28-4-0 (five fish of 2-8-0, 6-12-0, 3-8-0, 1-8-0 and 14-0-0; 4. J Palmer (Whittlesey) 26-12-0 (three fish of 5-8-0, 2-8-0 and 18-12-0; 5. J Jakeman (Leighton Buzzard) 22-8-0 (one fish); 6. G Dewdney (Whittlesey) 21-12-0 (one fish.)

Full report and pictures in next week’s paper.


44lb common tops 12 fish haul

This stunning 44lb personal best common was the best of a 12 fish haul during a four night session on the Golden Gates syndicate in Essex.

His impressive catch also included five thirties of 37lb 8oz, 33lb 2oz, 31lb 6oz, 31lb 4oz and 31lb as well as two twenties and four doubles.

All of his fish were taken on Sticky Vor-tex boilies and he used a total of 14kg over the duration of his session. The big common is the second over the 40lb-barrier which he has caught from the venue this year.


Match This 2012 qualifier dates announced

The qualifying dates and venues for next year’s £100k Maver Match This event have been announced.

Following on from this year's event which saw Somerset’s Andy Power scoops a cool £50,000 in the grand finale, the 2012 competition is set to be bigger and better.

Like last year there will be 24 qualifiers on the country’s best commercials. The winning angler from each match will qualify for the final and get the chance to compete for £100,000 at Maver Larford Lakes, Stourport.

The qualifer dates/venues are as follows:

Saturday April 7 – Woodlands View, Droitwich
Sunday April 8 – Woodlands Lakes, Thirsk
Saturday April 14 – Preston Boldings, Bridgnorth
Saturday April 21 – White Acres, Cornwall
Sunday April 22 – Barston Lakes, Solihull
Saturday April 28 – Viaduct Fishery, Somerset
Sunday April 29 – Garbolino Lindholme Lakes, Doncaster
Saturday May 5 – Partridge Lakes, Warrington
Saturday May 12 – Stafford Moor, Devon
Saturday May 19 – Viaduct Fishery, Somerset
Saturday May 26 – Hallcroft, Nottinghamshire
Saturday June 2 – Maver Larford Lakes, Worcestershire       
Saturday June 9 – The Oaks, Sessay
Sunday June 10 – Woodlands Lakes, Thirsk                               
Saturday June 16 – Woodlands View, Droitwich                           
Saturday June 23 – The Oaks, Sessay
Saturday June 30 – Maver Larford Lakes, Worcestershire                       
Saturday July 7 – Stafford Moor, Devon   
Saturday July 14 – Gold Valley Lakes, Hampshire
Sunday July 15 – Monk Lakes, Kent
Saturday July 21 – Makins Fishery, Warwickshire
Saturday July 28 – Tunnel Barn Farm, Warwickshire
Saturday August 4 – Wold View Fishery, Lincolnshire               
Sunday August 12 – Maver Larford Lakes, Worcestershire

Tickets to enter the qualifiers will go on sale from January 1 2012 at www.mavermatchthis.co.uk.