New personal-best after six years with 7lb 3oz chub
A six year wait for a new chub personal best came to a welcome end for Darran Goulder when he banked this 7lb 3oz chub from the River Lea.
Targeting the Fishers Green stretch of the Herts waterway, the Shimano backed all-rounder proved that the best things come to those who wait after banking the specimen from a swim he baited for three weeks before fishing it.
He said: “I was excited about fishing it, and was glad to see it was free when I arrived. I cast out a short bolt rig onto a gravel run and had the take soon after. I thought it would be a good ‘six’ but it beat my old pb – a fish I caught on the float six years ago - by an ounce.”
Darran beat his prize with a Dynamite Crave boilie on a size 9 Drennan Barbel hook and a 6ins ESP Two Tone hooklink.
Huge grayling for Adam Perna
Trotted maggots gave Adam Perna a haul of five grayling including three two-pounders to 2lb 9oz.
The Oxfordshire rod adopted a roving approach on a southern river and took fish throughout the day before connecting with his new personal best an hour before dusk.
He said: “In the 2lb 9oz fish's case I had caught a few brown trout that had disturbed the swim so I fed for 20 minutes, spraying maggots, and then ran my float through again and the grayling took the bait after the float being in the water for a couple of seconds.
“It looked huge being a male fish, and put up quite a scrap. The difficulty was drawing the fish close enough to net with only a 1lb 4oz bottom on.”
Adam used a five-AAA chubber float, a size 22 hook and 4lb mainline.
3lb 9oz personal best perch on worm
This 3lb 9oz personal best perch was the highlight of an early morning session on a Lincolnshire river for Philip Taylor.
The Skegness-based security guard offered dendrobaena worms mid-river and landed a total of 10 fish including four over 2lb to 2lb 4oz.
“I was planning on fishing two rods but I got one out and started catching straightaway, and then never had time to set up my second,” said the 39-year-old. “The 3lb 9oz fish came on the last cast and straight away I could tell it was going to be much bigger than anything else I’d caught.”
Philip used 5lb Drennan Double Strength straight through to a size 12 Wide Gape Specialist hook.
Preparation pays with Medway Valley Fisheries forty
Careful preparation and a short daytime session between nightshifts resulted in John Waller bagging this Medway Valley Fisheries forty.
The 39-year-old saw one of the lake’s biggest residents roll as he was packing up at the end of one session and made sure he was ready to target the spot on his return.
The Kent angler explained: “I did the Sunday night, as my only night session of the week, and as I was sitting on the bedchair about to pack up I saw a fish known as the Big Mirror show.
“I put a jar of hemp on the spot and cast a rod to the spot and clipped up the rods and my spod rod to that spot, ready for when I could get down there the following day after my nightshift.”
Arriving at the lake at 7.15am, John put out half a kilogram of Dynamite Baits’ Monster Tiger Nut Red Amo boilies and got a take at 9.20am.
“As I was playing it, the middle rod rattled off as well,” said John. “As I thought I was playing the Big Mirror I just had to leave it. Luckily I managed to get the first fish in and I picked up the middle rod and that fish was still on, but it had stripped 200 yards of line and I got cut off on a bar in the middle of the lake.”
The fish in the net went 44lb 2oz and was in fact not the Big Mirror but another of the lake’s biggest residents that had topped 40lb last spring.
John, who was fishing to a silty area 90 yards out, used Ace CXS Razor Point hooks, Rigmarole Skinfull hooklinks and 15lb ESP Crsytal mainline.
14lb barbel from the River Trent
Rik Johnson was on the verge of calling it a day and heading home – but was glad he didn’t when he hooked in to this cracking 14lb 12oz Tidal Trent barbel.
The manager of Chapmans Angling had arrived at the Nottinghamshire waterway to be greeted by a river carrying an extra 3ft of water.
Using 8oz of lead to hold bottom he cast around large open end feeders for five hours to no avail.
He said: “I’d just started to tidy my things away when I saw a slight pull on my downstream rod which quickly developed in to an aggressive take. I eventually landed the ‘14’ and decided to stay on for a few more hours.”
It proved to be a wise decision as Rik went on to land a further six barbel to 12lb.
4lb perch at dusk from River Great Ouse
Ashley Bugden is no stranger when it comes to big perch – he has caught numerous fish over 3lb this year and recently broke his pb for the species with this 4lb 1oz specimen.
The Stevenage-based 31-year-old targeted a tributary of the River Great Ouse and found success using a jig on a day where bites were at a premium.
“I was fishing with a friend, roving the banks of the river and neither of us had a bite all day so I returned to my favourite spot at dusk and, bang, I had a fish which at first I thought was a pike,” he said.
Ashley used a new Tronix Rockfish Light rod with 11lb Power Pro line and a 6lb flourocarbon leader attached to a Fox Rage Warrior Mini Fry soft plastic jig.
Silverfish Keeping Up Anglers Spirits At Hampton Springs
Hampton Springs has experienced a bit of a resurgence this year thanks to some excellent silverfish sport which has provided the venue with a new attraction to local anglers.
Recently the management have been running a number of silverfish only matches and these have proven popular thanks to some huge nets over 30lb being recorded, made up of mainly roach and skimmers. The matches have been held over three lakes, Alice Springs, Rock Pool and Poplars, all of which have seen excellent catches now that the carp have somewhat switched off. The lakes have plenty of features from marginal trees and plants to islands further out, all of which provide anglers with catching hotspots. If you cant reach them on the pole, fish a small maggot feeder, a method which has been used to good success in the matches, especially now the lakes are beginning to clear in the margins. Typically though, the pole is your best bet, fished in conjunction with a light pole rig and loose-fed caster or maggot. Try feeding two lines to maximise your chance of keeping fish coming every cast.
With seven lakes to choose from you are guaranteed a good days fishing at Hampton and if you cant resist the carp, try meadows pool which contains plenty averaging around 9lb along with some nice barbel.
Alices Springs: Silverfish nets to 40lb, carp nets to 50lb
Rock Pool: Silverfish nets to 30lb, carp nets to 50lb on the bomb and maggot
Poplars Pool: Carp averaging 5lb, silverfish nets to 40lb
Oasis: Smaller fish including silvers and barbel to 5lb and carp to 8lb
Meadows: Carp and barbel to 8lb in nets over 50lb,
Long Island: Carp to 15lb, tench to 4lb and chub. Try the Method or pellet feeder
Willows: A good head of carp to 5lb. Fish the pole to the islands
Folly: 3 acre specimen carp lake with fish to 26lb to be had. Try maggots in winter
TIP: In milder or warmer weather, try coming off the bottom when loose-feeding for roach
Prices: £7 for two rods
Contact: 01948 820789
Location: Hampton Springs, Shay Lane., Hampton Malpas, Cheshire, SY14 8AD
Facilities: Toilets
Rules: Fishery own pellets, no keepnets, no groundbait, no boilies
New personal best perch from Grand Union Canal
Midland based predator enthusiast Rob Smith took advantage of the recent hot streak of perch form across the country to bag this 3lb 14oz pb specimen from the Grand Union Canal.
Rob fooled the impressive fish using 8lb braid connected to a 6lb fluorocarbon leader. His winning lure was a Lure Fanatics, Da Bomb, 1-inch soft bait, accompanied by a 1-gram jig head.
Rob said: “I’d been fishing for over an hour with no indications but a change of lure and lighter conditions suddenly sent the perch on the hunt. I had fish of 1lb 14oz, 1lb 6oz and then the biggie arrived.
“As soon as it hit the lure I could tell it was a good fish, it gave a really good account of itself and I was very relieved when she finally went into the net!”
Match star's fishery plan for silverfish heaven
A top England international has revealed plans to turn a commercial complex into one of the nation’s best fisheries after he signed a deal to buy the site.
Matrix-backed star Grant Albutt has built up a solid reputation on the match circuit and aims to use his vast knowledge of the sport to turn Shatterford Lakes into the country’s most prolific venue.
Blueprints have been drawn up to make big changes at the Worcestershire complex – which is home to carp to 42lb and catfish over 70lb - in a bid to take it to the next level.
One of the first objectives of the England feeder team member is to enhance the silverfish potential of several lakes by adding extra shoals of roach and bream, with a full stock assessment of the specimen waters set to be undertaken in the coming weeks.
“When I was given the opportunity to buy the fishery I just couldn’t turn it down. It’s a fantastic complex with so much potential and I want to push it to its limit and bring even more people here,” explained Grant.
“The café and the tackle shop are going to get a major revamp, while moving lots of silverfish from the big fish waters to lakes where they will be targeted will help provide even better catches,” he added.
Plans are also in place to offer professional coaching onsite, with Grant intending to use the facility to help pass on his skills. He told Angling Times: “I’ve worked hard to make a name of myself in this sport and I’ve always wanted to pass on what I know to others. This is the perfect opportunity to do just that and with so many waters onsite I’ll be able to teach people exactly what they want to know.”
For more details visit www.shatterford.com or call 01299 861597.
**Fishery factfile**
- Shatterford Lakes was first opened in 1972 and was also run as a country park.
- Five fishable lakes are onsite, catering for match, specimen and specimen anglers.
- A recent match was won with 84lb of silverfish – hopes are high that a 100lb-plus catch can be taken in the coming months.
- The fishery is well known for its specimen catfish which have been caught to 70lb.
Sunday match results - 15th December 2013
NORTH
Angling Trust Ancholme Winter League (final round)
River Ancholme, Cake Mills (40 pegs)
Result: 1 M Tams, Pelham, 19-1-0; 2 G Bunnage, Garbolino Harrison’s Lincs County, 16-15-0; 3 G Thornton, Grimsby Bait 2Fish, 15-14-0; 4 G Atkinson, Garbolino Harrison’s Lincs County, 13-5-0; 5 C Elsom, Garbolino Harrison’s Lincs County, 10-12-0.
Final league: Scunthorpe Tackle 7pts; 2 Grimsby Bait 2Fish, 13; 3 Garbolino Harrison’s Lincs County, 14.
Bob-Co Tackle Yorkshire Winter League (round four)
Yorkshire Ouse, Hunter’s Lodge & Linton (80 pegs)
Result: 1 C Turbitt, Tackle 2U, 13-10-0; 2 G Brown, Extras, 11-9-0; 3 P Clark, Mirfield AC, 9-11-0; 4 S Haigh, Angler’s World Holidays, 7-14-0; 5 C Burton, Angler’s World Holidays, 6-3-0; jt6 D Pollitt, Mirfield AC and D Grace, The Glen, both 5-9-0.
Teams: 1 Tackle 2U, 55pts; 2 Angler’s World Holidays, 47; 3 Mirfield AC, 45; 4 Barlby Village Stores, 43; 5 Leeds, 36.
League: 1 Angler’s World Holidays 7pts; 2 Mirfield AC, 8; 3 Tackle 2U, 10.
Blackburn AA
Leeds-Liverpool Canal, Riley Green (28 pegs)
Result: 1 S Bird, Ted Carter Preston, 26-0-0; 2 B Krupnitski, Maver NW, 6-7-9; 3 C Robinson, Ted Carter Preston, 5-12-0; 4 A Marsden, Wigan MG, 4-14-9; 5 D Wells, Tri-Cast Rochdale, 3-9-12; 6 D Trafford, Tri-Cast Rochdale, 3-9-0.
Blundell’s Fishery Rover
All lakes (26 pegs)
Result: 1 M Billingham, Bag ‘Em Baits, 33-4-0; 2 K Marler, Tight Lines Shaw, 32-6-0; 3 J Rodgers, Leigh Tackle & Bait, 28-10-0; 4 G Whalley, Bait-Tech, 28-7-0; 5 D Simpson, Home Guard AC, 28-2-0; 6 D McGuire, Mosella, 21-14-0.
Brookside Fisheries
Snake Lake (25 pegs)
Result: 1 M Pleavin, Deggy’s Tackle, 60-0-0; 2 A Butler, Mosella, 45-4-0; 3 S Conroy, Kamasan/Sensas, 28-8-0; 4 N Butterworth, Cheshire Angling, 28-0-0; 5 J Battersby, Garbolino Elton, 23-10-0; 6 S Berry, Brookside, 21-0-0.
Carp Vale Pools Winter Series (round seven)
Match Pool (18 pegs)
Result: 1 G Miller, Bob-Co, 44-0-0; 2 A Gallant, Bob-Co, 39-10-0; 3 M Addinall, Spectrum Autos, 37-8-0.
Garbolino Lindholme Lakes
Bonsai Lake (21 pegs)
Result: 1 J Allerton, Tri-Cast, 55-15-0; 2 H Bignall, Sunbeds Direct, 55-9-0; 3 M Henderson, Lindholme, 40-5-0; 4 B Fisk, Middy, 38-13-0; 5 S Rothery, Garbolino Lindholme, 37-3-0; 6 G Norris, Maver, 35-5-0.
Hampton Springs Fishery Silverfish Only
Alice Springs, Rock & Long Island Pools (22 pegs)
Result: 1 A Spencer, Chester Tackle Locker, 33-2-0; 2 N Faulkner, Chester Tackle Locker, 27-0-0; 3 S Davies, Chester Tackle Locker, 26-0-0; 4 S Boyd Saints, 23-12-0.
Heronbrook Fisheries
All lakes (47 pegs)
Result: 1 L Breeze, Drennan NW, 73-10-0; 2 T Gibbons, Stockport, 68-13-0; 3 J Hall, Maver Midlands/Bag ‘Em Baits, 61-1-0; 4 A Shepherd, Heronbrook, 59-12-0; 5 G Lewis, Eddie’s Bait Supplies, 59-9-0; 6 J Brown, Maver Midlands/Bag ‘Em Baits, 58-0-0.
Highfield Fisheries Rover
All lakes (18 pegs)
Result: 1 P Cassons, Ted Carter Preston, 60-8-0; 2 M Reed, Garbolino Elton, 47-4-0; 3 N Lumb, Highfield, 38-14-0.
Meadow View Fisheries
Lark Pool (19 pegs)
Result: 1 B Davies, Deeside Tackle, 15-14-0; 2 L Cooper, Meadow View, 12-14-0; 3 P Jackson, Edgeley Sports, 6-12-0.
Messingham Sands
Swan Pond (11 pegs)
Result: 1 D Mountford, Grimsby, 45-3-0; 2 K Harrison, Brigg, 22-8-0; 3 R Elliott, Hull, 16-10-0.
Messingham Sands
Tripp Lake (16 pegs)
Result: 1 K Johnson, Messingham, 81-10-0; 2 T Grice, Doncaster, 51-11-0; 3 M Lidgard, Brigg, 51-0-0.
None Go Bye Farm Fishery
Middle Lake (21 pegs)
Result: 1 I Exley, Daiwa Dons, 25-14-0; 2 S Webster, Tri-Cast Calder, 22-1-0; 3 T Peters, Bradford, 19-13-0; 4 C Kendall, Middy, 19-9-0; 5 K Granger, Guiseley Angling, 18-4-0.
Oaks Lakes
Ash, Beech & Sycamore Lake (14 pegs)
Result: 1 C Hall, The Oaks, 78-6-0; 2 P Sellars, Woodland Tackle, 69-2-0; 3 A Newton, Browning Quaker, 68-12-0.
Partridge Lakes
Covey Canal Lakes (49 pegs)
Result: 1 A Bennett, Daiwa/Guru/Bait-Tech, 44-1-0; 2 I Lathom, Tri-Cast Rochdale, 42-15-0; 3 B Conroy, Warrington, 41-15-0; 4 M Rogerson, Drennan NW, 37-10-0; 5 K Bennett, Partridge Lakes, 29-6-0; 6 S Parry, Daiwa/Guru, 29-3-0.
Pool Bridge Farm
Horseshoe Lake (14 pegs)
Result: 1 J Clay, Boston Spa, 29-0-0; 2 M Brotherton Jnr, Roadline AC, 23-8-0; 3 K Gale, Colton Sports AC, 11-8-0.
Rosemary Wood Fishery
Moss Lake (33 pegs)
Result: 1 A Dewhurst, Fisherman’s Tackle, 111-12-0; 2 K Fletcher, Leigh Tackle & Bait, 59-9-0; 3 C Rothwell, Rosemary Wood, 51-8-0; 4 P Dewhurst, Ted Carter Preston, 45-14-0; 5 J Dewhurst, Rosemary Wood, 39-11-0; 6 J Hughes, Maver/Bag ‘Em Baits, 37-15-0.
St Helen’s AA
Carr Mill Dam (26 pegs)
Result: 1 S Ward, St Helen’s, 11-1-0; 2 D Sixsmith, Danny Sixsmith Pole Repairs, 9-3-0; 3 P Swift, Bolton, 8-15-0; 4 P White, Bolton, 8-10-0.
Tom’s Ponds Winter League (round four)
Ponds 1 & 2 (38 pegs)
Result: 1 J Barnes, Tackle 2U, 74-10-0; 2 C Thompson, Bradford, 59-11-0; 3 E Storey, Tom’s Ponds, 54-14-0; 4 T Bolland, Tri-Cast Rochdale, 47-7-0; 5 N Rymer, Kippax, 42-10-0; 6 M Herrington, Pudsey Angling, 42-5-0.
Wigan DAA Bob Taberner Charity
Leeds-Liverpool Canal, Gorst Lane (51 pegs)
Result: 1 D Turner, Tri-Cast Rochdale, 5-1-8; 2 J Hall, Chorley Socials, 3-7-8; 3 D Wells, Tri-Cast Rochdale, 3-5-8; 4 D Price, Tri-Cast Rochdale, 3-5-0; 5 C Whalley, Gidlow Angling, 3-0-0; 6 D Massey, Wigan MG, 2-14-8,
Wirral Winter League (final round)
Shropshire Union Canal, Nantwich (36 pegs)
Result: 1 M Owen, Browning Lifestyle Blue, 10-2-2; 2 D Hughes, Browning Lifestyle Red, 8-2-0; 3 N Davies, Team Guinness, 7-6-0; 4 P Johnson, Browning Lifestyle Red, 7-4-2; 5 F Cheetham, Team Eclipse, 6-6-6; 6 K Perry, Browning Lifestyle Red, 5-11-0.
Teams: Browning Lifestyle Blue, 25pts; 2 Browning Lifestyle Red, 23; 3 Frank’s, 22.
Final league: 1 Browning Lifestyle Red, 151pts; 2 Browning Lifestyle Blue, 146; 3 Team Guinness, 139.
Yarm AL Fur & Feather
River Tees, Yarm (39 pegs)
Result: 1 G Jones, Darlington Angling Centre, 26-7-0; 2 S Bell, Darlington Angling Centre, 26-3-0; 3 C Devlin, Yarm, 15-15-0; 4 L Mackintosh, Browning Quaker, 15-2-0.
MIDLANDS
Angling Trust East Midlands Winter League (final round)
Raveley Drain, Factory Bank & Old River Nene, Benwick (60 pegs)
Result: 1 S Binge, Stanjay Tackle Gold, 21-7-0; 2 G Butler, Maver Bait-Tech, 21-3-0; 2 3 A Randall, Stanjay Tackle Red, 19-0-8; 4 M Roper, Sensas Mark One White, 16-11-0; 5 J Pace, Sensas Mark One White, 15-13-0; 6 M Caldecote, Stanjay Tackle Gold, 15-10-0.
Teams: 1 Maver Bait-Tech, 27pts; 2 Stanjay Tackle Gold, 28; 3 Sensas Mark One White, 28; 4 Browning Hot Rods, 29; 5 Stanjay Tackle Red, 45; 6 Sensas Mark One Black, 53.
Final league: 1 Stanjay Tackle Gold, 10pts; 2 Maver Bait-Tech, 15; 3 Browning Hot Rods, 17; 4 Sensas Mark One White, 18; 5 Stanjay Tackle Red, 33; 6 Sensas Mark One Black, 33.
Angling Trust Warwickshire Winter League (round five)
Coventry Canal, Nuneaton (40 pegs)
Result: 1 D Massey, Shakespeare, 21-3-0; 2 M Hatchard, Shakespeare, 18-0-12; 3 P Bick, Shakespeare, 16-5-6; 4 D Jackson, Dams & Lock, 14-0-8; 5 G Slack, Burton Shop, 13-7-0; 6 J Cunningham, Shakespeare, 8-10-4.
Teams: 1 Shakespeare, 17pts; 2 Dams & Lock, 22; 3 Burton Shop, 23; 4 Browning Central, 26; 5 Measham, 35.
League to date: 1 Shakespeare, 7pts; 2 Dams & Lock, 10; 3 Browning Central, 18; jt4 Burton Shop and Measham, both 20.
Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery
Moat Pool (26 pegs)
Result: 1 P Bagshaw, Barnsley Blacks, 62-14-0; 2 D Dare, Marukyu, 54-10-0; 3 J Barningham, Lincoln Whisby AS, 40-12-0; 4 S Gray, Worksop, 40-8-0; 5 A Berisford, MAP Leegem, 36-14-0.
Decoy Lakes
Oak & Cedar Lakes (19 pegs)
Result: 1 K Wadge, Decoy, 108-4-0; 2 S Dow, Decoy, 74-13-0; 3 T Dawson, Bait-Tech, 62-13-0; 4 C Cole, Decoy, 56-15-0.
Froggatt’s Pools
Lodge Pool (10 pegs)
Result: 1 K Butler, Froggatt’s, 50-10-0; 2 J Rivers, Tubertini Ludlow, 22-4-0; 3 P Kennet, Froggatt’s, 20-4-0.
Hereford DAA Winter League (round five)
River Wye, Belmont (72 pegs)
Result: 1 C Branson, Sensas Cardiff Nomads A, 45-8-0; 2 C Smith, Sensas Cardiff Nomads A, 36-0-0; 3 R Jones, Woody’s Tackle, 27-6-0; 4 H Whittle, Woody’s Tackle, 26-12-0; 5 D Ashington, Woody’s Tackle, 26-11-0; 6 B Sharples, Cotswold Angling, 22-4-0.
Teams: 1 Woody’s Tackle, 51pts; jt2 Shakespeare and Hereford Academy, both 44; 3 Sensas Cardiff Nomads A, 43; 4 WB Clarke, 41; 5 Welsh Wizards, 40.
League: 1 Woody’s Tackle, 32pts; 2 Bait-Tech/DH Angling, 28; 3 Wolves, 26; 4 WB Clarke, 25; jt5 Welsh Wizards and Sensas Cardiff Nomads A, both 23.
Lakeview Fishery
Canal & Stream Pools (21 pegs)
Result: 1 A Searle, Middy, 80-5-0; 2 M Thackeray, Sub Fish, 72-1-0; 3 S Butler, Notts AA, 58-10-0; 4 J Bramley, Lakeview Select, 48-8-0; 5 D Higgins, Sub Fish, 47-6-0; 6 P Cooke, Lakeview, 43-8-0.
Manor Farm Leisure
Island & Boundary Pools (14 pegs)
Result: Jt1 S Rich, Cotswold Angling and P Hardwick, Banbury Gunsmiths, both 100-6-0; 3 P Alder, Solihull Angling Centre, 67-10-0.
Moorlands Farm
Bank, Moors & Island Pools (26 pegs)
Result: 1 I Wood, Moorlands, 87-11-0; 2 C Pace, Colin Pace Academy, 69-12-0; 3 N Gater, Moorlands, 60-3-0.
Preston Innovations Boldings Pools Fur & Feather
All lakes (77 pegs)
Result: 1 M Stockton, Maver Midlands, 60-7-0; 2 M Skelton, Oakengates Angling Centre, 53-6-0; 3 K Humphreys, Oswestry, 48-2-0; 4 M Jameson, Boldings, 47-7-0; 5 S Rogers, Oakengates Angling Centre, 43-0-0; 6 D White, Maver Midlands, 42-15-0.
Sherwood Forest Fishery
Holmedale Lake (21 pegs)
Result: 1 L Hardwick, Mosborough Tackle Box, 93-11-0; 2 L Plackett, Sherwood Forest Fishery, 78-1-0; 3 P Carline, Sub Fish, 77-3-0; 4 I Rowney, Mansfield Piscatorials, 67-15-0; 5 I Boyd, Woodhouse Angling Centre, 65-4-0; 6 L Parker, Phil’s Bait & Tackle, 61-12-0.
Westwood Lakes
Osprey Lake (25 pegs)
Result: 1 L Morley, Sensas A4, 89-11-0; 2 P Harsley, Dave’s Peg, 79-14-0; 3 T Evans, Dynamite Baits, 73-10-0; 4 P Raynor, Westwood Lakes, 72-10-0; 5 D Taylor, Westwood Lakes, 72-2-0.
SOUTH
Alders Farm Winter League
Pines & Ash Lakes (40 pegs)
Result: 1 T Grigorjevs, Poles Apart, 119-15-0; 2 M Grant, Potter’s Wizards, 104-7-0; 3 M Phillips, GOT Baits Red, 91-12-0; 4 W Shepherd, Ringer Baits Green, 87-10-0; 5 J Blavins, GOT Baits Red, 86-12-0; 6 P Bardell, Allsorts, 84-3-0.
Teams: 1 GOT Baits Red, 29pts; 2 Middy, 29; jt3 GOT Baits Black and Potter’s Wizards, both 26.
League: 1 GOT Baits Black, 147pts; 2 Potter’s Wizards, 138; 3 Chiltern Baits MG, 129.
Angling Trust Gold Valley Winter League (final round)
Gold, Middle & Syndicate Lakes (70 pegs)
Result: 1 W Raison, Daiwa Dorking, 78-8-0; 2 D Guntrip, Daiwa Dorking, 63-14-0; 3 R Taylor, Preston Innovations Delcac, 44-0-0; 4 J Maddox, KC Angling, 43-0-0; 5 I Chatfield, Springlakes, 38-14-0; 6 I Harper, Springlakes, 36-12-0.
Teams: 1 Daiwa Dorking, 56pts; 2 Preston Innovations Delcac, 44; 3 KC Angling, 23. Final league: 1 Daiwa Dorking, 10pts; 2 Preston Innovations Delcac, 12; 3 Farnborough AS, 23; 4 Gold Valley, 23; 5 Springlakes, 28; 6 KC Angling, 30.
Angling Trust Avon Valley Winter League (final round)
Basingstoke Canal, Heathvale Bridge – Farnborough Road Bridge (70 pegs)
Result: 1 A Clements, Drennan Bordon Angling, 19-3-0; jt2 M Abbott, Shakespeare Hansfords and J Brownlie, Browning Crowsports, both 5-12-0; 4 P Gibson, Arun Angling, 5-5-8; 5 R Deacon, Drennan Bordon Angling, 5-4-8; 6 A Hillman, Shakespeare Hansfords, 3-11-0.
Teams: 1 Drennan Bordon Angling, 45pts (section countback); 2 Arun Angling, 45 (section countback); 3 Tubertini Apollo, 45; 4 Browning Crowsports, 41; 5 Allan’s Marine, 39; 6 Shakespeare Hansfords, 37.
Final league: 1 Drennan Bordon Angling, 16pts; 2 Arun Angling, 18; 3 Shakespeare Hansfords, 20; 4 Browning Crowsports, 21; 5 Tubertini Apollo, 22; 6 Allan’s Marine, 35.
Angling Trust Kent Winter League (final round)
Monk Lakes (50 pegs)
Result: 1 R Williams, Sensas SE, 104-6-0; 2 M Richardson, Sensas SE, 76-1-0; 3 P Lamb, Sensas SE, 73-7-0; 4 L Pollard, Maver Cardinals Red, 71-10-0; 5 G Docker, APR, 69-8-0; jt6 J Sene, Maver Cardinals Red and I Germaney, Maver Cardinals Black, both 59-8-0.
Teams: 1 Sensas SE, 41pts; 2 Maver Cardinals Black, 33; 3 APR, 32; 4 Maver Cardinals Red, 27; 5 Match Tackle, 12.
Final league: 1 Sensas SE, 213; 2 Maver Cardinals Black, 205; 3 APR 180; 4 Maver Cardinals Red, 150; 5 Match Tackle, 141.
Angling Trust London Winter League (final round)
Grand Union Canal, Milton Keynes (50 pegs)
Result: 1 S Colclough, Maver Image, 13-12-0; 2 A Curless, Garbolino Black Horse, 8-10-0; 3 C Vandervliet, Maver Image, 7-11-0; 4 M Shepherd, Sensas Oakwood, 7-9-0; 5 B Mariner, Sensas Oakwood, 6-12-0; 6 J Davis, Sensas Oakwood, 6-2-0.
Teams: 1 Sensas Oakwood Angling, 38pts; 2 Maver Image, 36; 3 Garbolino Black Horse, 34; 4 Browning Northants, 26; 5 Team Raiders, 18.
Final league: 1 Sensas Oakwood Angling, 10pts; 2 Maver Image, 12; 3 Garbolino Black Horse, 18; 4 Browning Northants, 26; 5 Team Raiders, 28.
Angling Trust Oxfordshire Winter League (final round)
Oxford Canal, Wolvercote – Walton Well Road (36 pegs)
Result: 1 R Head, Drennan Banbury Gunsmiths, 10-13-0; 2 M Herbert, Drennan Banbury Gunsmiths, 7-12-0; 3 J Hassler, Isis Oxford, 7-1-0; 4 G Barclay, Drennan Banbury Gunsmiths, 6-10-0; 5 D Wright, Sensas A4, 6-1-0.
Teams: 1 Drennan Banbury Gunsmiths, 36pts; 2 Sensas A4, 31; 3 Abingdon, 30.
Final league: 1 Drennan Banbury Gunsmiths, 15pts; 2 Sensas A4, 16; 3 Isis Oxford, 22.
Dynamite Baits Oakfield Fishery
Red Kite Lake (10 pegs)
Result: 1 R Wall, Dynamite Oakfield, 29-2-0; 2 M Giles, RS Baits, 24-5-0; 3 C Davies, Dynamite Oakfield, 19-15-0.
Gillingham AA Christmas
River Stour Deepwater, Highbridge & Stour Provost (29 pegs)
Result: 1 A West, Gillingham AA, 6-14-0; 2 R Manns, Sensas Wiltshire Angling, 6-3-0; 3 M Hunt, Gillingham AA, 5-3-0; jt4 P Smith, Gillingham AA and J Moody, Garbolino Blackmore Vale MG, both 4-1-0; jt6 J Collings and M Walters, both Gillingham AA, both 4-0-0.
Gloucester Angling Centre Fur & Feather
Gloucester Canal, Hempsted (53 pegs)
Result: 1 A Pollard, Daiwa Gordon League, 65-5-0; 2 J Tocknell, Maver Lobby’s Tackle, 33-11-0; 3 T Price, Gloucester Angling Centre, 29-15-0; 4 A Freeman, Stroud AC, 23-8-0; 5 T Gorritt, Maver Lobby’s Tackle, 16-3-0; 6 P Butler, Coney Hill AC, 15-5-0.
Ockendon Bait & Tackle
Puddledock Farm, Snake Lake (40 pegs)
Result: 1 S James, Ockendon Bait & Tackle, 230-4-0; 2 D Jennings, Ockendon Bait & Tackle, 137-0-0; 3 A Tuck, Angling Direct Suffolk, 65-12-0; 4 S Mould, Ockendon Bait & Tackle, 63-10-0; 5 T Smith, Ockendon Bait & Tackle, 47-4-0; 6 T Todd, Ockendon Bait & Tackle, 45-5-0.
Sensas Commercial House Christmas
Kennet & Avon Canal, Bathampton (21 pegs)
Result: 1 J Harvey, Cwmbran Angling Nobblers, 8-0-0; 2 L Braddell, Preston Innovations Thatcher’s, 7-5-0; 3 S Townsend, Maver Bathampton, 5-9-0; 4 M Williams, Sensas Cardiff Nomads, 5-8-0; 5 R Lacey, Maver Bathampton, 5-7-0; 6 V Lunn, Amalgamated Fisheries, 4-15-0.
Shiplate Farm Winter Series (round six)
Hawthorns & Westpool Lakes (22 pegs)
Result: 1 R Peck, Thatcher’s Tackle, 47-8-0; 2 S Howell, Shiplate, 42-0-0; 3 D Malin, Shimano Dynamite Baits, 38-9-0; 4 A France, Cadbury Angling, 33-1-0; 5 J Bird, Fry’s MG, 28-14-0; jt6 A Healey, Fry’s MG and T Light, Shiplate, both 22-6-0.
South West Over 50’s & Disabled Christmas
Acorn Fishery (33 pegs)
Result: 1 J Baker, South West Over 50’s & Disabled, 28-14-0; 2 C Barnes, South West Over 50’s & Disabled, 28-8-0; 3 N Tomkins, South West Over 50’s & Disabled, 23-6-0; 4 D Blakemore, South West Over 50’s & Disabled, 22-8-0; 5 R Davis, South West Over 50’s & Disabled, 21-12-0; 6 G Stones, South West Over 50’s & Disabled, 20-5-0.
Big mirror marks a happy return to southern lake
After four years away from a southern park lake Duncan Hayward returned in style with the capture of this cracking 35lb 8oz mirror.
The Surrey-based rod cast a Tails Up Pro Liver cork ball pop-up to a silt patch in among the weed and baited the feature with a mixture of 18mm and 14mm boilies.
He said: “The fish gave a decent account of itself and at one point it weeded me up solid. After wading out I was able to get it moving again.”
Duncan mounted his hookbaits on chod rigs incorporating G-Force Tackle Straight Point hooks and light dung leads.
Chris Tarrant straight on the pike at Chew Valley
Chris Tarrant enjoys fishing for a whole host of species and he showed off his predator skills when he boated this impressive lure-caught pike on his very first cast of the day.
He was fishing alongside England international fly fisherman, John Horsey, who also co-starred in his recent hit television series - ‘Chris Tarrant Goes Fishing’ - during the final week of this year’s predator fishing trials at the famous Chew Valley Reservoir in Somerset.
The fish was just shy of the 20lb-mark and was caught with an Abu 40gram silver spoon.
53lb mirror ends six-year campaign
A six year campaign came to a triumphant conclusion for Mark Smith when he slipped his net under this 53lb from the Main Lake at Fryerning Fisheries.
The 50-year-old laundry owner from Essex targeted a silt area at 60 yards range in a deeper area of the lake where he thought the fish would be held up and scattered 200 Nash Bait Scopex Squid Red boilies over an area the size of a tennis court.
The first day of the session passed without event, but a change in tactics soon changed his fortunes.
“I started off fishing balanced bottom baits, but after 24 hours without any action I decided to switch to naked chod rigs,” he told Angling Times. “I’d only just cast out when I my alarm let out a few single bleeps. There was a lot of floating weed about so at first I assumed this was the cause. I then heard the spool on my reel slowly ticking over so I lifted in to the take.
“Straight away I could tell it felt different to anything else I’d ever caught from the lake and at the back of mind I had a feeling it was the sought after mirror known as The Gurm.
“I’ve fished at Fryerning for the last six years and always wanted to catch this fish. To have it at 53lb at this time of year was magical,” he added.
Mark mounted his hookbait on a size 6 Nash Fang Twister hook and a 20lb ESP Stiff Rig Bristle Filament hooklink.
Poacher nabbed by EA bailiffs after filming his crime and posting it on YouTube
A foolish poacher who made a boastful video of his crime which appeared on the internet has been brought to justice after a fisheries officer saw the footage.
The shocking clip entitled ‘Poachin in Poole’ shows 31-year-old Benjamin Cook, from Poole, Dorset, using a barbaric monofilament net to remove sea trout from his local River Sherford. In the film he brags, ‘Basically boys this is how you poach…it’s in the blood like a drug addiction and once you’ve got it, you’ve got it for life ’.
But the clip, that was uploaded to the popular video sharing website YouTube, has led to Cook’s downfall after an Environment Agency enforcement officer viewed the footage and recognised the bungling criminal, who has previous convictions for poaching and obstructing a fisheries officer.
Cook was arrested at his home on February 15, 2013 and taken to Bournemouth police station where he admitted fishing for salmon and sea trout without a licence and confirmed he’d seen the video.
He denied uploading the video to the site, but when asked about his feelings on being seen on the internet he said ‘he didn’t care’, and added that if the video received enough hits it might be ‘shown on the telly’ and he could become ‘famous’.
It’s the first time the EA has used social media to secure a conviction and officials have warned that any form of poaching will not be tolerated.
“This is perfect proof that we will come down very hard on anyone fishing illegally and would urge anglers or members of the general public to report any suspected incidents of poaching,” said an EA spokesperson.
Cook appeared before Bournemouth Magistrates on December 2, 2013 was fined £175 and ordered to pay £300 costs after pleading guilty to using an unlicenced net to catch salmon and sea trout on the River Sherford in contravention of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
To view the video use the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVvzj5A0P6E
Monster 36lb pike from city stream
A tiny stretch of river that’s free to fish and not much more than a rod length wide has produced this huge 36lb 3oz pike.
The shock specimen was caught by predator fishing fanatic Stefan Catalin while targeting a small backwater of the River Thames known as Castle Mill Stream.
The London-based 29-year-old, specialises in catching both pike and perch on artificial lures and it proved to be a Savage Gear Real Eel edged along the bottom of the West Oxfordshire waterway that induced the take from the fish that smashed his previous personal best by 6lb 3oz.
The catch came as a complete shock to the captor, who battled with the fish for 20 minutes before sliding its huge frame over his waiting net, and will also erase any doubts that many people have of the capabilities of such a tiny waterway to support a predator of such proportions.
“I was fishing off the bridge and working the bait along the bottom when I got the take and I had to give the rod to a passer-by as I quickly got off the bridge and into position by the water’s edge,” Stefan told Angling Times.
“When I saw the fish for the first time I was stunned, and a little scared, because I never thought such a massive fish would be in such a small, narrow piece of water - it really took me by surprise.
“I’ve seen loads of pike anglers down here that use deadbaits and only catch small fish, but I’ve had loads of success with these artificial eels as they seem to pick out the bigger fish.
“This catch just goes to show that you can’t ignore these small streams and backwaters because they are clearly full of big surprises.”
Drennan International employee Stewart Moss has fished the River Thames and its tributaries for 30 years and says that this further proves the potential of small venues.
“It’s an unbelievable reward for fishing uncompromising urban waterways that are shunned by most specimen anglers,” said Stewart.
“Venues like this are often full of species like bream which are perfect food and this, combined with neglect, creates a water that’s capable of throwing up a real giant.”
World record carp lake gives up 80lb fish to Ed Matthews
The once-secretive Euro Aqua in Hungary has opened its doors to British anglers in recent weeks and Ed Matthews took full advantage to bank this 80lb 12oz mirror.
The Korum-backed angler travelled to the home of the world record carp and caught the specimen along with another of 41lb.
Recalling the moment, he said: “Not only was it a massive fish it was stunning and looked like it could grow much bigger. It was great to share the moment with mates and then back she went. It then all sunk in; I'd done it, a fish of a lifetime! This one will take some beating, but I'll enjoy trying.”
Ed used an Avid Pin Down hooklink tied to a size 4 Avid longshank hook fished blowback style.
Big chub bonus in Hampshire Avon catch
A session on the Hampshire Avon produced this 22lb bag of dace and roach, plus a bonus 5lb 7oz chub, for Stuart Walker.
Targeting the river near Salisbury in Wiltshire, a long way from his home in Yorkshire, the 38-year-old used a light stickfloat in 4ft of water, feeding maggots, hemp and brown crumb. The Caught In The Act DVD star said: “The weather was bright so all the action came in the morning and the last few hours before dark. When the light was fading it was a bite a chuck. I fished 3lb mainline, a 2lb 12oz hooklink and a size 16 Drennan Wide Gape Specialist hook, under an alloy stick.”
Irish call for all to fish its big matches
Ireland is set to host more ‘open-to-all’ competitions than ever before as anglers describe the quality of fishing as being ‘back to its best’.
It’s been announced that there are already over 40 major events planned for next year, which will not only attract some of the biggest names in angling, but will also be open to travelling UK pleasure anglers looking to fill their nets at a host of iconic fisheries.
Famous waterways such as the Rivers Shannon and Erne along with stillwaters like the prolific Loch Muckno - that hosts the prestigious World Pairs Angling Championships - will ensure top quality sport for those targeting the ever-growing shoals of bream, roach and hybrids.
The timing of the announcement couldn’t have been better as not only is the emerald isle going to be staging more competitions since the ‘glory years’ of the seventies, but anglers like former World Champion Tommy Pickering say that the fishing in Ireland is now better than ever.
“Up until a couple of years ago I hadn’t been over to Ireland for two decades, but I’ve fallen in love with the place all over again,” Tommy told Angling Times.
“I competed in the World Pairs Angling Championship this year and my partner and I averaged 30lb-per-man on five different venues. Even that was only good enough for 22nd place, which just shows how good the fishing is.
“I’ve booked up for 7 weeks fishing next year. I think it’s great news that all of these competitions have been organised and that anyone can go over to not only compete in some of the best events on the match calendar, but also sample some of the best coarse fishing in the world.”
The competitions are being organised by Inland Fisheries Ireland, which is confident that the new host of open competitions will reinvigorate the interest of anglers who have previously experienced the Irish match scene as well as creating a whole new generation of travelling fishermen.
“There’s no doubt that the coarse fishing here has been up and down for one reason or another, but now it’s better than ever,” said Paul Bourke angling information officer for Inland Fisheries Ireland.
“The buzz about next year’s calendar is amazing and is something that UK anglers shouldn’t miss out on.”
44lb mirror carp banked after just ten minutes at the venue
Jon Luff smashed his personal best by more than 15lb on his first visit to a new water.
The 27-year-old latched on to this 44lb 4oz mirror just 10 minutes after casting out at Greenacres near Peterborough.
The windscreen technician from Newmarket in Suffolk was fishing with friends Dan Hadman and Adam Lowbridge, both of whom had visited the water before, but was the only one of the trio to catch.
He said: “Having not fished the place before, I went for a walk round and the only fish I saw top was in the area I fished.
“We drew straws for pegs and I decided just to fish for a bite. I fished towards some reeds on the far bank, though there was a solid weedbed in front so I had to drop short by about a rod length.
“I put about a dozen baits in and had just sorted all my rods and was sitting close to them scouring the water when I got a few bleeps. I was on it straight away and I could feel it was a fair size. My UK PB is 27lb so I was hoping for a thirty.
“When I saw it roll I thought ‘this really is a thirty’ but Dan had come round by this time and he was telling me it was definitely a forty. At that point my legs went to jelly as I still hadn’t got it in!
“It was a fantastic fish from a great venue.”
Jon used Cambridge Carp Bait’s Pickled Krill boilies and a D rig made from Korda IQ fluorocarbon and a size 6 Korda Longshank hook.
3lb 4oz river perch for Angling Trust man
Angling Trust membership manager Will Smith has enjoyed a succession of cracking river perch over two sessions, the biggest being this 3lb 4oz specimen.
After spotting some perch attacking fry by some overhanging willows trees during a barbel session earlier in the week, he returned to the same spot with beefed up float tackle. He then presented lobworm hookbaits under a 6g bolognaise style float, with 6lb mainline straight through to a size 6 Kamasan hook. This accounted for several good fish to 2lb 14oz, but it wasn’t until the following day that the Leominster man latched into the biggest perch.
“I was on the river bank very early in the morning the next day and it was worth it when I hooked this beauty. She was a real solid ‘football’ shape. I fed chopped worms and chopped maggots in molehill soil flavoured with Dynamite Liquid Worm,” he said.
