Breaking news - unknown 41lb 8oz pike caught in Yorkshire

A massive 41lb 8oz pike has been taken from a notoriously tough Yorkshire trout water.

The previously unknown fish was caught by an angler who was fishing the venue for the first time, and incredibly came on just his third cast of the day, using a lure from the bank.

The fishery only allows only a few pike fishing days per winter and the biggest pike ever taken before was just 26lb. For the full story and pictures see next Tuesday’s Angling Times.


Supermarket bait scores big on Swale match scene

A tough northern waterway that is home to shoals of cagey chub has sprung to life after a group of anglers switched to using a rarely selected supermarket bait.

Regulars on Yorkshire’s River Swale have scored well throughout the year on offerings such as cheese paste, maggots and worms but have been forced to change since the cold snap hit home.

“I’ve been using it for years and it’s helped me fool 40lb bags, even in the snow! I wouldn’t leave home without it at this time of year as its cheap, effective and the chub love it,” explained one local.

For more details on the deadly bait, pick up a copy of next week’s Angling Times, on the shelves from Tuesday January 3 2012.


Top pike angler appears on the Weakest Link

Top angler Gord Burton proved he is more than just a prolific pike ace when he made an appearance in front of the TV cameras to take part in the Weakest Link!

The Merseyside-based rod made the journey to the studios to take part in the famous BBC show and got involved in a series of humorous moments with the notoriously stern Anne Robinson who presents the programme.

To find out how more about Gord’s exploits on the box and also how he fared in the competition, pick up a copy of this week’s Angling Times, on the shelves NOW!


Top match water receives stocking boost

Lincolnshire anglers can look forward to a more productive New Year on the famous Sibsey Trader Drain following the stocking of 4,000 fish into the Golf Course section of the waterway near Boston earlier this month.

The fish are part of the Environment Agency’s long term plan to boost stocks after a disastrous fish kill on the drain four years ago, with around 2,500 roach, 1,000 small tench and 500 rudd being introduced to supplement around 10,000 fish that have gone into the Trader in the last three years.


Free day tickets for everyone at Todber Manor!

Fancy a free days fishing at one of the country’s best day-ticket fisheries? If so, Todber Manor in Dorset is offering customers the chance to fish for nothing between now and January 8.

The complex consists of six well-stocked lakes, all of which are covered by the offer, providing excellent action from carp to over 30lb. Multiple hits of fish are regularly taken, even during the colder months, and for predator anglers there are also good numbers of quality pike to target.

To claim your free days fishing visit www.todbermanor.co.uk and print off the ticket on the news page of the website.


Venue hits top form in freezing cold conditions

“The colder it gets the more bites you’ll get.” That’s the bold statement from a group of anglers who have been bagging up on silverfish in torrid conditions at a small stillwater.

While many venues have slowed down for the winter slump, action at the northern pit has stepped up a gear with hauls of roach, skimmers, perch and chublets breaking the 20lb barrier on a daily basis.

“The fishing has been brilliant here all year but we’ve been amazed at how good it has been since the ice, snow and sleet came. It’s a bite a chuck stuff all day long and it’s hard to guess what is going to take the bait next,” explained one local rod.

To find out more about the nation’s most in-form venue, pick up a copy of next week’s Angling Times, on the shelves from Tuesday December 27.


Monster barbel on the float!

Big fish angler Keith Speer has banked a monster barbel of 17lb 10oz - on the float!

It topped an incredible list of fish he has recorded in recent months from the Great Ouse, including specimens of 15lb 5oz, 14lb 9oz, 14lb 7oz and 13lb 9oz.

Keith has also revealed that the biggest two fish were taken within nine days of each other from Verulam Angling Club stretches, and fell to his unique way of fishing for barbel using a centrepin reel.

Read the full story of Keith’s exploits, including all his tips and tactics, in this week’s Angling Times!


First twenty is 27lb 14oz specimen

John Ashurst caught his first-ever 20lb-plus pike, this cracking 27lb 14oz specimen, from Esthwaite Water Trout Fishery in the Lake District.

The impressive predator was the best of three fish which the Wigan-based joiner landed during the day, with pike of 18lb and 14lb also gracing his net.

All of his fish were hooked on trolled Spro BBZ lures, and the biggest of the trio was taken from an area of water 9ft deep with deeper holes on either side.

He said: “The water is still fairly warm and the fish fought like an absolute demon. As soon as I saw it I knew it was going to be a new pb and I was delighted to get a twenty under my belt.”

The pike season on Esthwaite is open until the end of March and for up-to-date information call 01539 436541


100,000 fish introduced to Midlands rivers

The Environment Agency has revealed that almost 100,000 fish have been stocked into Midlands rivers during 2011.

Huge shoals of barbel, chub, roach, grayling and dace were reared at the governing bodies Calverton Fish Farm before being released into venues such as the Trent and Tame throughout the year.

Several other future introductions are also planned and EA Fisheries Technical Officer Mick Buxton said: “Our rivers are the healthiest they have been for 20 years and these moves are important for the future of fish stocks in our waterways.”


Heaps seals Holgan Farm festival win

Former England international Ian Heaps proved he is still amongst the best anglers in the country by taking victory during the Holgan Farm Christmas Festival.

The Pembrokeshire-based fishery boss decided to use long pole and caster on the Match Lake and was able to take quality carp and roach at regular intervals for a winning 125lb 11oz.

Wolverhampton’s Clive Wright also broke the triple figure barrier with 101lb 8oz and second place while Swansea’s John Charlesworth completed the frame with 82lb 4oz.


Big perch landed in Dog Lane Fishery event

A single bite can turn a dour outing into a memorable affair as Justin Ashby found out when he netted a 3lb 4oz perch during the latest event at Dog Lane Fishery.

The Banbury Gunsmiths ace decided to fish worm after drawing peg 34 at the Warwickshire complex and struggled to tempt a single indication in the opening stages.
But his frustrations were soon put to one side when the specimen provided his only bite of the day.

Despite managing to win his section, he was unable to make his way into top spot overall, with Keith Taylor taking the honours with 4lb 8oz of bread punch roach.


Brace of double figure zeds landed from Cambs pit

What started as ‘a short social session’ with a friend ended up being Simon Layt’s best-ever zander trip, with the 36-year-old landing four fish for more than 41lb in just six hours, including a new personal best of 14lb 2oz.

He was targeting a pit in Ely, Cambridgeshire with legered dead roach tactics when he made the memorable haul, which also included fish weighing 10lb 14oz, 9lb and 7lb 8oz.


Dabrowa smashes Headfen Lakes record

Tempting a few bites can be tough enough in the winter months but Tim Dabrowa shocked his rivals during the latest pairs event at Headfen Lakes by breaking a lake record!

The venue regular drew peg 37 on Trev’s Lake at the Cambridgeshire complex and put his faith in the Method feeder cast tight to the island and was into fish around the 6lb mark from the off.

By the end of the five hour period he had won the lake with ease, taking 92lb 8oz.
The achievement also helped him and his teammate Richard Bond take the overall victory on the day with a four point score.


Massive perch falls to rudd livebait

Just a week after catching a massive chub from the Dorset Stour, bang-in-form specimen hunter Jamie Stanley switched his focus to perch and came up trumps when he landed this superb 4lb fish from a small clay pit not far from his Bournemouth home.

After initially struggling on lobworm hookbaits, Jamie changed to small livebaits presented on low-resistance leger rigs to take the impressive perch, along with another of 3lb 7oz.

For the full story and tactics lowdown, see next week's double-edition of Angling Times, on sale Tuesday 13 December.


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.


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.