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.


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.


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.”


Cod fishing sport hits top form

The cod fishing season has arrived and a number of the nation’s best marks have finally hit top form.

Fish to over 30lb have been caught at various areas, with marks in the South East corner of England currently topping the bill, with impressive shore and boat catches being taken.

Venues that have been almost devoid of the species in recent years have also made a major revival, with the Bristol Channel amongst the fisheries in this category.

“The cod have finally arrived and this could be one of the best years for the species in a long time. Double figure fish are common, cod over 20lb are a possibility and even a 30lb plus beast could be taken from various spots across the country,” explained an insider.

For more details on the latest catches and best marks, pick up next week’s edition of the Angling Times, on the shelves from Tuesday December 20.


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.


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.


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.


Bullock Farm set for winter stocking boost

Anglers visiting Bullock Farm can expect to keep busy over the winter period after bosses revealed hundreds of fish are set to introduced into the complex.

Fully aware that the carp shoals will soon enter hibernation, the Somerset fishery has turned to silverfish to maintain hectic sport, with a large number of green and golden tench set to go into the Match Lake, with the South Pool welcoming hundreds of skimmers and bream to 5lb.

For more details on the complex visit www.bullockfarm.co.uk


New Preston's DVD to be launched

The Absolute Match Fishing television Series, hosted by Tommy Pickering, is now available on DVD.

Following its huge popularity since its broadcasting on Sky Sports, the double DVD disc set is available for £9.99 and includes 30 minutes of previously unseen footage.

Tommy fishes all over the country, with guest appearances from anglers such as Des Shipp at Barston Lakes, Lee Edwards on the Wye, Andy Findlay paste fishing at the Glebe and Lee Kerry on the Stainforth and Keadby canal.

There is also footage of Steve Sanders pellet waggler fishing and Emma Pickering fishing the pole and pellet.

It is available from mid-December, find out more at www.prestoninnovations.com.

 


VOTE NOW in the 2011 National Angling Awards!

THE biggest ever vote undertaken in the history of the angling will decide fishing’s most debated question’s… who is the  ‘Greatest Angler of all-time’? ‘What’s the nation’s favourite bait’? and ‘The best innovation of 2011’? There’s seventeen categories in total, listed below.

Angling Times has teamed up with the sport’s biggest website’s - representing over half a million UK fishermen – for the National Angling Awards. The awards will be revealed in Angling Times Christmas Special issue on Tuesday, December 13 – a bumper edition featuring two free gifts.

AT editor Richard Lee said: “By working with established websites we are able to unite fishing and give the whole sport the chance to voice their opinions. The results of these awards will carry real significance with the questions placed in front of over half a million fishing fanatics. It is a project we hope to nurture and grow into an annual project.”

Anglers can vote for whichever name, product or event they want – however, a short-list of leading contenders has be drawn up to assist with the voting process.

Voting will take place through Angling Times; here on www.gofishing.co.uk/nationalawards; and with our partners at
www.fishingmagic.com;
www.maggotdrowning.com;
www.anglersnet.co.uk

Voting takes only seconds and closes at midnight on December 4th – so have your say NOW!

Full category list:

Greatest Angler Ever
Angler of the Year 2011
Team of the Year
Stillwater of the Year
River of the Year
Innovation of the Year
Pole of the Year 2011 (-£500)
Pole of the Year 2011 (£501-£1000)
Flagship Pole of the Year
Float Reel of the Year 2011
Feeder Reel of the Year 2011
Carp Reel of the Year 2011
Float Rod of the Year 2011
Feeder Rod of the Year 2011
Carp Rod of the Year 2011
Bait of the Year 2011
Catch of the Year 2011


FREE shot offer in Angling Times this week

Grab a copy of Angling Times this week and get your hands on a seven-size shot dispenser completely FREE!

All you need to pay is the £2.99 p&p cost and the dispenser is all yours, and worth £8.95!

Angling Times has teamed up with Dinsmores to offer all it’s readers the chance to get their hands on a giant shot dispenser, covering all your float fishing needs.

For just £2.99 postage and packaging, Angling Times will send you a free bumper box covering sizes SSG, AAA, BB, No.1, No.4, No.6 and No.8.

Angling Times editor Rich Lee said ‘’This is  great offer as Dinsmores is a leader in shot design. Having seen their machinery first hand, I can say I’m proud that fishing still has a British manufacturing base.’’

To claim your bumper dispenser of Super Soft Shot worth £8.95 make sure you pick up a copy of this week’s paper!

Offer is limited to the first 2000 people so make sure you are quick!

Closing date is December 6th.


Poachers caught with a bag full of chub!

The fight against poaching took a step forward this week after a group of fish thieves who were caught red-handed on the River Wye with a carrier bag containing 10 dead chub were ordered to pay fines totalling £726.

Angel Angelov, Yordan Talev and Asen Valkinov were tried in their absence at Hereford Magistrates Court on October 4, where they were found guilty of charges relating to illegal fishing.

The Environment Agency praised the good work of those who helped to bring the case. A spokesman said: "This case is the result of quality evidence gathered by the Hereford and District AA bailiff.  Such evidence is crucial in cases like this, and anybody who sees illegal fishing activity should call 0800 807060 and provide as much detail as possible." 


Study reveals barbel 'thrive' in stillwaters

A huge research project to find out how traditional river species such as barbel and chub are coping in stillwaters has revealed that they are ‘thriving’ in their non-flowing homes.

Critics of stocking the species into lakes have always maintained that they are unable to function effectively in them but the latest stats and figures have rubbished this theory.

The study took data from a number of sites that contained barbel and chub including Staffordshire’s Cudmore Fisheries and Lancashire’s Whitmore Fisheries.
For more details on the in-depth analysis, pick up a copy of this week’s Angling Times, on the shelves from Tuesday November 22.