30lb Carp Among Big Rewards At Sumners Ponds

With match weights nearing 400lb, Sumners has always been popular, however, these days it’s not just bags of carp and barbel on the Match Lake that make this venue so attractive as specimen carp anglers have found out.

The venue’s Sumners Pond is full of specimen fish and carp anglers have been catching them in excess of 30lb this year. This is the largest of the lakes on the complex and so swim selection is easy with fish showing from all over the lake and a good head of twenties. Popular baits this summer have been cell boilies or anything with coconut in them but there have also been big fish caught on meat. Anglers have been finding success by targeting these at around 10m in around 3-4ft of water. This lake also contains a great head of bream and these have been caught this year in nets in excess of 50lb. For these fish, a small feeder with corn on the hook is the standard approach but if bites are not forthcoming try an 8mm meat cube. Fishing tight to the island may also pay off here. Perch to 3.5lb also reside in here and can be targeted fishing prawn or worm in the margins.

For match anglers there is the prolific Match Lake which has seen weights to 400lb in recent years. Predominantly a carp water with fish averaging 8-12lb there are also some huge barbel to 10lb 2oz, tench and crucians to 1.5lb. Typical commercial naits like pellet, meat, paste and corn all work on here on the pole, pellet waggler or even Method feeder. The hot pegs are those from the sunken island to the second island tip.

TIP: Fishing on Sumners Pond requires patience. For more bites try different areas of your swim and don’t ignore the margins.

Prices: £8 one rod, £12 for two, concessions are £7 one rod £10 for two, Juniors are £6 for one rod £7 for two.
Contact: 01403 732539 www.sumnersponds.co.uk
Location: Sumners Ponds, Chapel Road, Barns Green, Horsham, W Sussex, RH13 0PR
Rules: Barbless only, no fixed rigs, no floating crust, no keepnets, un-hooking mat and large landing net required for specimen carp, no live baits
Facilities: Toilets, café, restaurant/bar, tackle shop