Monk's Pit lake record caught at 51lb 8oz

On only his fourth session on Monk’s Pit in four years, James Vincent landed this lake record 51lb 8oz mirror.

It was the first time elusive specimen had visited the bank of the Cambridgeshire venue since September last year and it was fooled by the 38-year-old JRC consultant who followed his instincts and used a simple but effective rig which virtually guarantees to hook any fish which picks up the hookbait.

When he arrived he soon found a few fish breaking the surface fairly close in and he wasted no time getting set up in the swim.

“Most of the anglers on the lake all fish towards the middle, but I always try to do my own thing because if you do the same as everyone else you’re only ever going to have the same results,” said the Suffolk-based rod. “I didn’t have a clue what was out in front of me so I cast out three single hookbaits while I had a chuck around with my marker rod to see what I could find. After about 15 minutes I discovered a small spot which was just screaming out for a bait. The lake is very weedy but I got a really firm drop and when I dragged the lead back a few feet it pulled into the weed. It wasn’t just a clear silty area, it felt really hard as if carp had been feeding on it and I just knew I had to put a hookbait on it.”

With the light starting to fade,  James decided to position two rods on the spot over around 50 – 60 freebies and leave the third where it had landed earlier as a single.

The all-important bite came just four hours later and a typical big fish fight commenced. “It just plodded around and I eventually landed it in the moonlight. At this point I had no idea which carp I had in the net but I went to get the bailiff who was fishing a couple of swims down to give me a hand with the weighing and pictures. It was only when we lifted the net out of the water that we realised how heavy she was. When the scales pulled round to 51lb 8oz it set not only a new English PB for me but also a new venue record.”

James’ winning presentation consisted of a 16mm Berkley Gulp Tuna and Spice boilie mounted on a long hair with a coated braid hooklink and a size 8 JRC MBT 1 Connect hook setup as a line-aligner rig. This was fished in conjunction with a 3oz zip lead on a safety clip system.

“This is a rig which I have the utmost confidence in. The line-aligner style tubing guarantees that the hook flips over and grabs hold when the carp picks up the bait. The long hair of about an inch helps with the separation between the hook and hookbait and makes it much more difficult for the hook to be ejected as it automatically drops down towards the bottom lip.”

The huge mirror was originally stocked in 1999 by Mark Simmonds at three-years-old and weighing only 5lb, but was actually feared dead by some members because it hadn’t been out for over a year. “I hadn’t fished the lake since September 2009 due to concentrating on other venues and work and family commitments. To catch this fish on only my fourth session was incredible. It just goes to show that if you do your own thing and follow your instincts and not what everyone else is doing you can have some great results,” he added.


Margin spot produces 45lb 12oz mirror

Mark ‘Spike’ Harrison has caught his eleventh UK forty and a new personal best with this cracking 45lb 12oz from an undisclosed venue.

The Northants-based Richworth consultant had been pre-baiting a marginal swim for a couple of days with just over 2kg of Pineapple Hawaiian boilies.

“When I climbed the tree in the morning I could see there were three fish on the spot in 3ft of gin clear water,” he said. “I had seen the big mirror regularly visiting the spot over the previous days and
it had been taking a few baits. On the day, though, it was feeding really hard and I had the bite within 15 minutes.”

Mark mounted his hookbaits on 6ins Kryston Snakebite hooklinks and size 6 ESP hooks.


Match angler banks a 15lb sturgeon on the pole in a match

A matchman banked a 15lb sturgeon from Aston Park Fisheries in Sheffield during a recent match.

David Patrickson got a huge shock when the fish surfaced after a 15 minute battle – he was convinced it was a big carp. It was landed on white hydrolastic and 0.13mm line direct to a size 20 hook.

For the full story and picture see next week’s Angling Times.


Des Shipp on this week's Tight Lines

This week’s episode of Tight Lines has a match fishing flavour about it with England International Des Shipp in the studio to reveal his latest winning tips.

There’ll be some bankside tips from fellow matchman Grant Albutt as he demonstrates a simple but effective approach using casters, while Keith enjoys some superb river sport on a recent session he spent on the beautiful Hampshire Avon at Britford.

The winners of November’s Young Angler of the month photo competition will also be revealed during this hour long extravaganza.

Catch all the action on Sky Sports 4 at 7.00pm on Friday December 9.


Quick overnighter results in 38lb 8oz mirror

This 38lb 8oz mirror was the highlight of a three fish catch for Jordan Dicks during a quick overnight session after work on a local stillwater.

The 25-year-old manager of Bristol Angling caught the chunky specimen from a silty area on the far margin at 130yds range using a snowman hookbait consisting of a 20mm Nash Monster Squid bottom bait tipped with a 10mm Rainbow pop-up over a spread of freebies.

Jordan mounted his hookbaits on 12ins, 25lb Nash Missing Link hooklinks and size 4 Fang X hooks with a 4oz distance lead on a Weed Safety Bolt Bead, and also landed two commons of 22lb and 18lb.


Small deadbaits used in big perch haul

This 3lb 11oz perch was the pick of a dozen fish landed by Norfolk-based rod Gareth Goldson during a hectic day session at a local gravel pit.

Gareth, from Cromer, put his faith in small roach deadbaits fished on low resistance leger rigs made from 6lb fluorocarbon and size 8 hook, and also banked one other perch over 3lb as well as a further 10 over 2lb.

“It was a real red letter day with several of the bites coming on the drop. I have found regular recasting to be a real edge when fishing this method as bites often come within minutes of a recast,” said Gareth, who used Hardy Ultralite Avon rods and 8lb mainline.


Dicks notches up hat-trick of White Acres wins

England Youth international Callum Dicks showed exactly why many consider him to be the most exciting prospect in match fishing by notching up another festival win at White Acres.

The Maver backed ace saw off a strong field during the Garbolino Silverfish Festival at the Cornish complex to land the coveted trophy for the third time in his career.

Over the five day event, Callum was able to land almost 200lb of roach, skimmers, tench and F1s to beat a strong challenge from the likes of Adam Wakelin and Darren Cox to seal victory and the £1,000 cheque that went with it.

For more details on the tactics that helped Callum succeed, pick up a copy of this week’s Angling Times, on the shelves from Tuesday December 6.


Seventh UK fifty for Terry Hearn

Following what has been one of his longest campaigns of his illustrious career, Terry Hearn has landed his seventh UK carp over the magical 50lb-barrier with this 51lb 4oz mirror from CEMEX Angling’s Chertsey Lake.

The south London-based legend has been chasing the elusive specimen for the last 18 months, and eventually made contact with his prized target fish on what was his 52nd bite on the tricky low-stock pit which contains fewer than 30 carp.

Terry, who is a consultant for both Dynamite Baits and ACE, had come close to achieving his goal on several occasions throughout his time on the Surrey venue.

“I'd come close a number of times, but one way or another it would always manage to get away with it,” Terry told Angling Times. “Either it would prove too clever for my rigs, or one of its mates would nip in at the last minute and get caught instead. It's possible that I lost it last April as well, after a line breakage.”

He finally slipped the net under the stunning fish, bringing his time on Chertsey to an end in the process, after it picked up his home-rolled 15mm Dynamite Baits Red Fish cork-ball pop-up which he presented on a hinged-stiff rig using a size 6 prototype ACE hook.

“The take came in the very early hours of the morning and I had a fair idea which fish it was as soon as I picked up the rod,” he explained. “I’d already caught all the others and this one felt completely different. It was very weighty and I could feel my line pinging off its fins so it was obviously a long fish. It kited left away from where I hooked it at around 60yds range, and once I got it in close it made the sanctuary of a snaggy corner where I could feel the mainline rubbing against some branches. With steady pressure it came free, and from there I managed to keep it coming until eventually it was rolling around beneath the tip. It was pitch black, but by this stage I was almost certain what it was. Even so, it wasn't until I got it in the net and flicked on my torch that I knew for sure.

“I can't tell you how much of a relief it was to finally catch it! I've enjoyed my time on the pit, but the noise from the nearby M3 is enough to drive you mad, and after catching everything else I'd pretty much had enough of fishing the place anyway. I certainly wasn't looking forward to going back for yet another go next spring. Instead, I can now have a nice fresh challenge somewhere else. For now though it's time to do a bit of perch fishing I think!”


Furnace Lakes producing big catches of skimmer bream

Furnace Lakes in West Sussex is on fire despite the cold weather, with some bags of skimmer bream touching 80lb.

A recent Sunday event saw a top weight of 78lb 4oz to Geoff Kercher of Guildford Angling Centre, with Tony Corpes not far behind on 72lb 1oz. Both men fished the long pole and 4mm or 6mm expander pellets.

The following Wednesday saw 60lb needed for Daiwa Dorking’s Terry Harrison to win, with all the action centred on the Small Pond at the Horsham venue.


Maher takes glory in River Wye Team Champs

Running water expert Steve Maher added another piece of silverware to his already bulging trohpy cabinet by landing the individual glory in the coveted Wye Team Champs.

The professional float maker was pegged against 101 other top class anglers and showed his class by winkling out 66lb 8oz.

After drawing at Bartonsham, Steve decided to use traditional wag and mag tactics down the middle of his peg and was able to fool chub to 4lb at regular intervals.

Backing weights were equally impressive with runner up Dave Rutter weighing 48-10-0, while on the team front Woody’s recorded 37 points to top the table and nudge out WB Clarke who were on 39 points.


16 year wait for a Richworth Linear thirty ends with 44lb 2oz mirror

After 16 years of trying, Ian ‘Chemo’ Russell has caught his first ever 30lb-plus carp from the Richworth Linear Fisheries complex with this 44lb 2oz mirror. And it was a critically-balanced maggot rig which finally brought an end to his long wait for one of the specimen carp which the Oxfordshire day-ticket site has become famous for.

The Avid Carp consultant and angling coach has been targeting Manor Farm for the past 12 months and over the last few weeks he had been catching steadily using single hookbaits at range. Despite the regular action he had struggled to get among the lake’s bigger residents and, never one to rest on his laurels, he knew that a change in tactics was required.

After spotting several massive carp show at close range on a previous visit, Ian plumbed the area with his marker rod looking for carp-holding features. Eventually, he found a small, firm area at 70yds range that he was convinced was caused by feeding carp.

On his next session on the busy water he decided that a switch to maggots may be the best way to get one of the lake’s big girls feeding.

He baited the feature which he’d found with a gallon of wrigglers and then cast out a 10mm red Avid Carp High Lite hookbait tipped with around 15 maggots over the top.  Before doing so, however, he trimmed-down the High Lite to critically-balance the setup and make sure that the hookbait was just hovering off the lakebed. “With this presentation I know that as soon as a carp starts feeding over my bed of bait and comes anywhere near the rig, the chances are the hookbait is going to fly into its mouth,” explained Ian.

The decision paid-off and in the early hours of the morning his right-hand rod burst into life. “The fight was absolutely incredible, lasting at least 30 minutes. I could tell from the way it was fighting that it had to be one of the lake’s A-Team. Every time I thought I had it under control it would start tearing more line off my spool. Eventually, after a few heart-stopping moments, a massive mirror emerged from the depths and I bundled it into the landing net. I couldn’t believe it when I realised that it was the much sought-after Spike.”

Incredibly, despite catching countless carp to over 40lb from various other waters, he had never managed to bank a thirty from Richworth Linear which has been a regular haunt of his for almost two decades.

“I’ve fished on the lakes here for over 16 years and have caught hundreds of carp but for some reason the thirties have always eluded me,” Ian told Angling Times. “I’ve had anglers I’ve been doing tuitions with catch them but they just never came to my rods. Hopefully, now that I’ve had this one I won’t have to wait so long for my second,” he added.


White Acres Winter Festival Latest Update

The Garbolino Winter Festival at White Acres goes into its fourth day today, with a number of top anglers in with a chance of winning.

Local Cornish ace Simon Poynter is in the lead with 17 points from a possible 18, the same as runner up Paul Yates but with a weight advantage.

This festival at the popular Newquay complex is primarily for silverfish with natural baits, although species such as tench, barbel and F1 carp also count.

This is how the top 10 currently looks like after three days:

1st Simon Poynter 17 points 103lb 11oz
2nd Paul Yates 17 points 95lb 15oz
3rd Callum Dicks 16 points 95lb 13oz
4th Cameron Hughes 16 points 95lb 10oz
5th Darren Cox 16 points 95lb 4oz
6th Steve Hemmingray 15 points 106lb 3oz
7th Adam Wakelin 15 points 94lb 10oz
8th Jon Arthur 15 points 88lb
9th Simon Fry 15 points 87lb 6oz
10th Timmy Rowe 15 points 82lb 5oz


The Brute landed at 53lb 6oz

After a three year break from fishing, Luke Gray returned to the sport in style with this 53lb 6oz mirror known as The Brute from a Berkshire stillwater.

The sought-after specimen, which smashed the 26-year-old New Malden-based carpenter’s pb by 8lb, was caught on only his seventh night on the tricky 14-acre venue.

Targeting one corner of the lake where he’d regularly seen a few fish moving around, he baited an overhanging snaggy tree with a light scattering of Tails Up OCM boilies and cast an 18mm hookbait over the top with a small PVA bag.

Arriving just before dark, he got his rods in position and four hours later his alarm burst into life.
“The fish tore off straight into a weed bed and although I kept the pressure on, I couldn’t get it to budge,” explained Luke. “I waded out to change the direction from which I was pulling and I eventually got it moving again. At this point I unfortunately discovered my waders had sprung a leak and it took me another 40 uncomfortable minutes to get the fish near the net. I scooped up the huge ball of weed thinking that I’d banked a decent thirty.  As I peeled off the weed the carp just got bigger and bigger until I was eventually looking down at The Brute.”

Luke’s winning presentation consisted of a 6ins Atomic Tackle 25lb Jel-E-Wyre hooklink with a size 6 Gunsmoke Grabba hook and a 4oz flat pear inline drop-off lead.

“I became self-employed a few years ago so fishing unfortunately had to be put on the back burner. I recently decided to dust the rods off and have a go on the venue, but I certainly didn’t expect to end up posing with The Brute for the cameras so soon,” he added.


Double win for Alan Scotthorne

Five Times World Champion proved his class yet again with a double win of weekend matches in the Doncaster area.

On Saturday 26th November the Shimano/Van Den Eynde ace kicked off by winning at Lindholme Lakes from Bonsai peg 49, kicking off on the long pole and ending on the straight lead to the island to take mainly F1 carp for a weight of 49lb 12oz.

Then it was the turn of the Stainforth and Keadby canal at Thorne the next day for the Fred Kay Individual League and a field of 54 anglers. Clinging on to 13m of pole in the wind, Alan found 15lb 5oz  of mainly roach from peg 223, using bloodworm over joker and leam.


Additive proves key to Pretty's winter bagging

An angler that has continued to bag up at commercial carp waters despite the dip in temperatures has revealed that an easily sourced additive has plays a big part in helping him succeed.

Match and pleasure ace Ian Pretty has been in great form all year and has kept up his high standards going into the cold season, with triple figure hauls of carp being taken by him regularly.

“It’s an additive that gives your hookbaits lots of colour and flavour and helps them stand out to lethargic carp. It’s brought me bites on even the toughest days in winter and it’ll be my number one bait choice in the coming months,” explained Ian.

For more details on the winning additive and how to use it, pick up a copy of next weeks Angling Times, on the shelves from Tuesday December 6.


Open match diary dates for week commencing 10.12.11

Looking for an Open Match to fish this week?

Here's a comprehensive listing of all open fishing matches and contact details for the week of 10.12.11...

NORTH

Saturday 10

Airfield Lakes, 07816 832551
Bannister House, 07801 353403
Blake Hall Fishery, 01538 753908
Blundells Fishery Rover, 0161 775 2124
Bradshaw Hall Fisheries 01204 307197
Brookside Fisheries, 01925 730893
Copthorne Lakes, 01995 600751
Cudmore Fisheries, 01782 680919
Hampton Springs Fishery, 01948 820789
Hayfield Lakes, 07816 832551
High Heyes Farm Fishery, 07905 141969
Highfield Fishery, 01253 701929, 07958 549441
Hosticks Ponds, 07836 712475
Langwith Lakes, 01904 431874/07969 522402
Lindholme Lakes, 07785 752222
Meadow View Fisheries, 01925 757985
Mill House Fisheries, 07808 764374
Moorfields Farm, 07710 817150 
Oaks Fishery, 01845 501003/07843 006248
Partridge Lakes, 01925 767505
Pasture House Fisheries, 01652 636369
Viking Fishery, Pollington, 01405 860764.
Woodland Lakes, 01845 526110

Sunday  11

Airfield Lakes, 07816 832551
Blake Hall Fishery, 01538 753908
Blundells Fishery Rover, 0161 775 2124
Bradshaw Hall Fisheries 01204 307197
Brookside Fisheries, 01925 730893
BW Kiveton Waters, 07789 954452
Carr Mill Dam, 01744 602037
Cudmore Fisheries, 01782 680919
Hayfield Lakes, 07816 832551
Highfield Fishery, 01253 701929, 07958 549441
Kiveton Hall Fishery, 01142 875777
Langwith Lakes, 01904 431874
Lindholme Lakes, 07785 752222
Macclesfield Canal, Northern AA, 0161 792 2684
Meadow View Fisheries, 01925 757985
Moorfields Farm, 07710 817150
Oaks Fishery, 01845 501003/07843 006248
Oaktree Leisure, 01347 810686
Partridge Lakes, 01925 767505
Pasture House Fisheries, 01652 636369
R. Swale, Swainby, 01274 615016
River Ure, Lower Dunsforth, 01423 523368 07875275749
Rosemary Wood Fishery, 07974 199158
Woodland Lakes, 01845 526110

Monday 12

Moorfields Farm, 07710 817150 
Partridge Lakes, OAP/Disabled, 01925 767505
Woodland Lakes, 01845 526110

Tuesday 13

Brookside Fisheries, 01925 730893
BW Kiveton Waters, 07789 954452
Heronbrook Fisheries, 07879 441282
Lindholme Lakes, over 55’s, 07785 752222
Meadow View Fisheries OAP & Disabled, 01925 757985
Partridge Lakes, 01925 767505
Pasture House Fisheries, 01652 636369

Wednesday 14

Airfield Lakes, 07816 832551
Bannister House, 07801 353403
Blundells Fishery Rover, 0161 775 2124
Bradshaw Hall Fisheries 01204 307197
Hayfield Lakes, 07816 832551
Kiveton Hall Fishery, 07779 232505/01142 864179
Langwith Lakes, 01904 431874
Lindholme Lakes, 07785 752222
Meadow View Fisheries, 01925 757985
Moorfields Farm, 07710 817150 
Partridge Lakes, OAP/Disabled, 01925 767505
Woodland Lakes, 01845 526110

Thursday 15

Brookside Fisheries, 01925 730893
BW Kiveton Waters, 07789 954452
Heronbrook Fisheries, 07879 441282.
Highfield Fishery, 01253 701929, 07958 549441.
Lindholme Lakes, 07785 752222
Meadow View Fisheries OAP & Disabled, 01925 757985 
Oaks Fishery, 01423 883270
Partridge Lakes, 01925 767505
Rosemary Wood Fishery, 07974 199158

Friday 16

Blake Hall Fishery, 01538 753908

MIDLANDS

Saturday 10

Aldercar Lane Fishery, 07779 253502
Bishops Bowl, 07970 196044
Bonehill Mill Fishery, 07861 391916
Browning Moorlands Farm, 01299 250427
Cornerstone AC, Grand Union Canal, Smallheath, 0121 6803963
Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery, 01777 710448 
Dams & Lock, Birmingham/Fazeley Canal, 01827 704362.
Furnace Mill Fishery, 01299 266777
GTI Foston, Willow Lakes, 07968 323102
Hillview Fisheries, 01684 296719
Lakeview Fishery Vets, 07813 276623
Lakeview Fishery, 07813 276623
Little John Lakes, 07715 096738
Maver Larford Lakes Classic Qualifier, 01299 829373
Preston Innovation Boldings Pools, 01746 763255
Packington Somers, 01676 523833
Preston Innovations Woodland View, 01905 620872
Tunnel Barn Farm, 01926 842975

Sunday 11

Bishops Bowl, 07970 196044
Browning Moorlands Farm, 01299 250427
Codnor Park Reservoir, 01773 749545
Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery, 01777 710448
Furnace Mill Fishery, 01299 266777
Hankat AC, Birmingham Mainline Canal, 07765 804477
Headfen Lakes, 07971 574375
Hillview Fisheries, 01684 296719
Lakeview Fishery, 07813 276623
Manor Farm Leisure, 01386 870039
Maver Larford Lakes Classic Qualifier, 01299 829373
Preston Innovation Boldings Pools, 01746 763255
Preston Innovations Woodland View, 01905 620872
Sherwood Forest Farm Park Fishery, 07721 316334
Soho Loop AC, Birmingham/Fazeley Canal, 07748 144675
Stirrup Cup, Birmingham/Fazeley Canal, 01827 704646 
Tunnel Barn Farm, 01926 842975

Monday 12

Browning Moorlands Farm, 01299 250427
Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery, 01777 710448
Tunnel Barn Farm, 01926 842975

Tuesday 13

Browning Moorlands Farm, 01299 250427
Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery, 01777 710448
Little John Lakes, 07715 096738
Portland Waters, 07775 864279
Preston Innovations Woodland View, 01905 620872
Sherwood Forest Farm Park Fishery, 07721 316334
Westwood Lakes, Boston, Skylark, 07846 769003

Wednesday 14

Aldercar lane fishery, 07779253502
Browning Moorlands Farm, 01299 250427
Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery, 01777 710448
GTI Foston, Willow Lakes, 01623 657394 
Lakeview Fishery Vets, 07813 276623
Lakeview Fishery, 07813 276623
Makins Lake 2, Dynamite Baits, 07749 284 829
Preston Innovation Boldings Pools, 01746 763255
Packington Somers, 01676 523833
Preston Innovations Woodland View, 01905 620872
Sherwood Forest Farm Park Fishery, 07721 316334
Toad Hall Fishery, Spilsby, 01754 890317
Tunnel Barn Farm, 01926 842975

Thursday 15

Aldercar Lane Fishery, 07779 253502
Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery Veterans, 01777 710448
Little John Lakes, 07715 096738
Makins Phase 2 or 3, Dynamite Baits, 07749 284 829
Manor Farm Leisure, 01386 870039
Preston Innovation Boldings Pools, 01746 763255
Tunnel Barn Farm, 01926 842975
Westwood Lakes, Boston, Skylark, 07846 769003

Friday 16

Browning Moorlands Farm, 01299 250427
Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery, 01777 710448
Little John Lakes, Over 50's Vets League, 07715096738.
Pidley, (Magpie or Jay lakes) Cambs, 07817 694359.

SOUTH

Saturday 10

Greenridge Farm, 07742 556951
Ivy House Lakes, 01666 510368
Lake John, 07958 938153 
Landsend Fishery, 07977 545882.
Magic Lakes, 07973 814330
Monk Lakes, 0208 311 8178
Oakfield Fishery, Aylesbury 01869 325209.
Panshill Wood Fishery, 07740 619991
Rayne Lodge, 01376 345719
Redbridge Lakes, 0208 5515690, 07774 990100.
Ridgeway Fishery, Walters Lake, 0795 7175719
Tyler’s Common, 01708 551216
Viaduct fishery, 01458 274022
Willinghurst Fisheries, 07872 564840.

Sunday 11

Back Arun, 01903 721546 
Coleman’s Cottage Fishery, 01376 516383
Gold Valley. Teams of 3. 01252 336333, 07961 555345.
Mill Barn Farm, 01702 216170
More House farm fishery, 07800530173
Panshill Wood Fishery, 07740 619991
Puddledock Farm, 01708 856455.
Redbridge Lakes, 0208 5515690, 07774 990100.
Staffordmoor, 01805 804360.
Willinghurst Fisheries, 07872 564840.
 
Monday 12

Gold Valley Lakes, 01252 336333

Tuesday  13

Acorn Fishery, Kingston Seymour, 07540 954203.
Coleman’s Cottage Fishery, 01376 516383
Redbridge Lakes, 0208 5515690, 07774 990100.
Staffordmoor, 01805 804360.

Wednesday 14

Churchgate Lakes, 07963 763273 
Framfield Fishery, 01825 890948
Gold Valley Lakes, 01252 336333
Hillview Fisheries, 01684 296719
Ivy House Lakes, 01666 510368
Lake John, 07958 938153
Oakfield Fishery, Aylesbury 07860 235655
Panshill Wood Fishery, 07740 619991
Rayne Lodge, 01376 345719
Southend Farm Fishery, 07950 012614
Viaduct fishery, 01458 274022

Thursday 15

Magic Lakes, 07973 814330

 

 

 

 

 

 


First bite results in target fish

John Kneebone may have to rethink his plans for the winter after he caught his target fish on his first session on Boscathnoe Reservoir in the form of this 37lb 14oz common.

The Cornwall-based Fox consultant chose a swim which gave him access to a set of dying lilies as well as the open water and he put his faith in snowman hookbaits consisting of Mainline Baits bottom baits and a 10mm Hi-Vis Pineapple pop-up.

“This was my first bite from this water where I planned to spend some time during the colder months. I think I’ll be turning my attentions to a low-stock 40-acre water that holds some very old fish now,” said John, whose winning setup included a Fox 20lb Gravel Brown Coretex hooklink and a size 6 Fox Arma Point SSSP hook.


Last chance to enter Van Den Eynde Supercup competition

Teams wishing to participate in this year’s Angling Times / Van Den Eynde Supercup have until this Friday 2 December  to get their entries in.

The draw will be carried out shortly afterwards, with the first round ties of this popular knockout competition to be fished in early March 2012.

Clubs must be registered in the Van Den Eynde Clubman scheme to participate with the overall winners pocketing £1,000 and the prestigious trophy in the final at Tunnel Barn Farm in 2012.

For more information and an entry form see this week’s Angling Times.