Sack Up On Bream At Calf Heath

For some cracking autumn bream sport we recommend you pay a visit to Calf Heath Reservoir in Cannock. With recent match weights topping 70lb, now is a great time to visit the 19 acre water where the Method feeder is currently doing the damage.

It is proving fairly simple to sack up with a 50lb weight and locating fish in big waters such as this can often prove tricky but at Calf Heath it’s proving fairly easy with skimmers to 2lb and roach nudging the 1lb mark featuring regularly. A variety of tactics work, but a Method or traditional groundbait feeder with either double dead red maggot hookbait or a small section of worm often scores best. A chuck of around 30-40 yards should suffice but try further out if the weather is bright and clear.
When targeting skimmers on the long pole, introduce six big balls of dark fishmeal groundbait to start with and top up with small nuggets during periods of inactivity.
Big bags of roach are a possibility on the long pole line and loose-feeding casters regularly over the top of a light rig will soon get the fish into a feeding frenzy.
Have two rigs setup, one for fishing on the deck and the other for up in the water as the roach will often choose to feed shallow, even if there has been a harsh frost the night before which wont be too far away given the time of year.

TIP: When using the feeder, if you are plagued by line bites but don’t receive any proper bites, try casting shorter as the fish are likely to be sat closer to the bank.

Calf Heath Reservoir, Cannock
Prices: Membership is priced at £20 a year for adults and permits run until April 30.
Outlets: Local shops Archline Angling sell year books. For more details call 01543 426158.
Location: Calf Heath Reservoir, Vicarage Road, Cannock, Staffs.
Facilities: Parking.
Rules: No tins on the bank, Hooks under a size 10 must be barbless.