Catch a Lump at Shiplate Farm's Main Lake

One of the South’s most up and coming fisheries, Shiplate Farm has made a name for itself in recent seasons, not only as a bagging venue but one which offers some cracking big fish action.

The venue’s Main Lake is a case in point as it is full of big carp averaging around the 12lb mark, making it an ideal runs water for those looking to catch their PB carp. Anglers visiting this lake often report around 5-10 of these fish per visit and what makes it more appealing is that you can catch them on whatever tactic you wish. The trick is to not fish with too bigger bait, as venue regulars will testify as they prefer to use soft pellets, paste or even corn. If its big bream you like to catch there are also plenty of these in here reaching 13lb and these are captured using more traditional feeder tactics with double red maggot or worm on the hook. Nets to 90lb are possible with these fish on a good day.

For the more match style angler there are the two canal-style 15 peg lakes Hawthorns and West Pool. Both these contain mixed stock but the majority of catches are made up of carp. The West Pool, which is around 15m wide, is more thinly stocked but the fish are bigger so weights on both lakes are often the same, with winning nets topping 70lb. On West the carp average around 6-8lb while on Hawthorns, which is 12-13m wide, they are 4-5lb. Both these lakes are fishing well with paste or pellet on the pole at the moment and the fish tend to be caught in both the near and far bank margins. However, later in the session it is worth trying the deeper track where you will find 5-6ft of water for the odd bigger fish.

Location: Shiplate Farm Fishery, Shiplate Road, Bleadon, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, BS24 0NY

Prices: £7 for one rod, £7.50 for two, concessions £1 off. Main Lake (bookings essential) is £8 for one rod or £10 for two

Contact: 078958 52162 www.shiplatefarmfishery.co.uk

Facilities: Toilets, shop selling small range of baits as well as snacks and cold and hot drinks.

Rules: No meat on the Main Lake, Barbless only, no braid, no bait boats, no dogs