Snag fishing produces four thirties to 39lb
AN UNEXPECTED 48 hour session on a southern syndicate saw Harry Charrington help himself to five carp including four over the 30lb-barrier.
The 23-year-old Fox International media assistant had originally planned to just fish an overnighter after work on the Friday but following the cancellation of a social arrangement over the weekend he decided to stay on.
He said: “During the night I’d heard a load of fish crashing in a snaggy corner of the lake so I decided to move swims to that area.
“The fish in the venue love a boilie and I’d brought 4kg of Richworth S-Core with me. Unfortunately I’d put out 3kg of it on the first night so had to ration the last kilo. I baited two spots close to the snags and one in open water, each with about 40 baits, which was less than I would have liked but hopefully enough to spark some interest.”
An hour and a half later he received his first take which came on his left hand rod fished towards the snags. “When snag fishing you have to fish strong and have your reel completely ‘locked up’. Worrying about whether the fish can see or feel your line is futile, because if you fish too light or with slack lines and a loose clutch you will probably lose the fish. I used 15lb WarriorXT mainline, which is like tow rope, fished tight down to a 4oz lead on a Slik Lead Clip.”
Despite doing its best to find sanctuary in the snags, Harry managed to coax the fish into open water and was soon scooping up a 39lb 10oz mirror in the net.
Shortly after repositioning the rod it was away again, this time a 32lb 12oz mirror the culprit, and that evening the same rod produced a 38lb 4oz specimen. Fish of 27lb and 37lb 4oz during the night completed the memorable trip.
All of his carp fell to snowman rigs incorporating S-Core bottom baits and pink pop-ups. These were mounted on rigs tied with Fox Edges Coretex Matt coated braid and size 4 Arma Point SSBP hooks.
“I was absolutely over the moon with the 39lber and to back that up with a number of other real bigguns was quite surreal, this was easily my best ‘big fish’ session ever,” he added.
49lb mirror tops new day-ticket lake haul
A SYNDICATE lake that opened its doors to day-ticket anglers rewarded one of the first punters with an unforgettable session.
David Robinson banked seven 20s, five 30s and two 40s in a 24-fish catch at Willows Lake in West Yorkshire.
The incredible session came on the first weekend the Eric’s Angling-run venue became an open-access water.
The 32-year-old Bradford rod ended up with fish of 49lb 4oz, 41lb 4oz and a 32lb 8oz common.
He said: “I managed to get booked straight on and on arrival at the lake saw there were 10 people in front of me all vying for pegs. As the wind was howling down this end of the lake everyone selected to fish there, but knowing the fish are not used to the pressure I felt confident they would retreat up the other end where there are two islands, so that’s where I went.
“Before setting up I scattered 100 boilies around the area and let it settle for a couple of hours before casting. With all three rods in position I only had to wait five minutes for my first take which resulted in a 30 at 32lb 4oz.
“Runs then came at regular intervals after that but at 3pm on the second day my dreams were made. In the space of two hours I had new personal-best mirrors of 41lb 4oz and then 49lb 4oz, followed by a pb common of 32lb 8oz.
“I couldn’t think of another day-ticket water in the north of England that could give you a catch like that. My total catch in my three day session was 10 singles; seven 20s to 27lb; five 30s to 35lb and the two 40s.”
All David’s fish fell to Nash Monster Squid Purple bottom baits on Korda Safety Lead Systems and size-eight Korda Wide Gape B hooks.
Tommy Pickering books Maver Match This final spot
Maver Match This Qualifier
Oaks Lakes, Cedar, Ash, Sycamore & Beech Lakes (48 pegs)
A lower than expected turnout at this in-form fishery saw Preston Innovations man Tommy Pickering comfortably take top spot with 128-6-0.
Fishing on a venue he knows well, the England Feeder team boss and ex-World Champion drew Beech Lake peg 25 and with the comfort of an empty peg next door fished into a corner it wasn’t long after the starting whistle that he was into fish.
Tommy then caught carp to 3lb steadily all day on pellet fished shallow to see him into the grand final at Maver Larford Lakes later in the year.
Runner-up was venue expert Rob Minikin who was on Cedar Lake peg 6 and fished pellet at 14m over to the island putting 105-4-0 of carp to 5lb and small F1 hybrids on the scales.
Result: 1 T Pickering, Preston Innovations, 128-6-0; 2 R Minikin, Sonu Baits, 105-4-0; 3 J Hughes, Maver/Bag ‘Em Baits, 100-2-0; 4 L Thornton, Middy/Bag ‘Em Baits, 89-14-0; 5 A Scotthorne, Drennan/Sensas, 89-4-0; 6 J Allerton, Tri-Cast, 88-14-0.
Excellent Fishing on the Trent & Mersey at Horninglow
The Trent & Mersey Canal through Burton-on-Trent is an excellent but under-rated stretch of waterway containing a good mix of species, including a number of river fish, such as chub, due to the Trent entrance near Wychnor further south.
The stretch is the chosen venue for the Division One National Championships this year, proving its consistency and the quality of fishing on offer. The pole is the most obvious and proven tactic that visiting anglers tend to opt for here particularly if you are targeting the venues big head of roach, skimmers and perch. Squatt, pinkie, maggots and bread will all work on their day but at this time of year the former tends to be the best option for a good net of fish. The trick is to fish a couple of lines, one at 3-5m on a whip or top sections of your pole loose-feeding little and often to keep the fish coming as well as feeding another line at the bottom of the far shelf at around 11m feeding it the same way. A little groundbait here is also a good idea to keep the fish concentrated but this must be topped-up if boats pass through and try not to use too. Some of the good pegs can be found by Dallow Lock at the northern end of the stretch as these tend to hold some skimmers and chub which can provide a nice bonus to any good roach and perch net. For the bigger fish you can use chopped worm and caster but some anglers opt for the corn or pellet fished tight to the far bank where roach to 2lb are in residence.
For predator fans there is also a good head of zander with good catch rates of fish in the 4-10lb bracket. Pike will prove harder to find but it is known for fish over 20lb to lurk in the deeper water.
Prices: £2 a day or £12 a season from Burton Angling Supplies or Burton Carp Tackle, Burton Mutual Angling Association, Juniors under 18 are £1 a season on the canal
Contact: Club secretary John Anderson 078911 26910
Location: Trent & Mersey Canal, Dallow Street, Horninglow, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE14 2PJ
Rules: No litter, distance of at least 5m between moored boats
Facilities: Parking by Dallow Lock off Dallow Street
41lb 10oz common sparks perfect campaign start
JUST four nights in to his campaign on an Essex clubwater, Dave Springall landed his target fish in the form of this 41lb 10oz common.
Targeting an area of the lake which wasn’t particularly popular with other anglers his first couple of sessions produced a handful of tench and a low-twenty mirror.
“I slipped the carp as quickly as possible without any photos as no one else seemed to be paying any attention to section I was fishing and I wanted to keep it that way,” he told Angling Times. “My third overnighter didn’t produce as much as a single bleep but it proved to be an ideal opportunity to apply a decent amount of Baitcraft 15mm and 18mm Super K boilies.”
Arriving for his latest session just before dark the Century media manager was met with the sight of tench rolling in his swim. “Unsurprisingly, I had a near sleepless night landing tench after tench. At 4am, however, I had the slightest of indications on the bobbin with just three bleeps registering on my alarm.
“At first I thought it could be a large tench wrapped in silkweed due to the nature of the bite but when something that looked about 3ft long appeared 20 yards out in the light of my headtorch I knew there was a good chance I was attached to my target fish."
“With very little resistance she went over the net cord on the first attempt and on the bank she tipped the scales at 41lb 10oz.”
Dave used a naked Chod presentation comprising 18lb ESP Syncro mainline, 25lb Stiff Rig Bristle Filament and a size 5 Stiff Rigger hook. On to this he mounted a 15mm Baitcraft UK Tactical washed out Super K pop-up heavily glugged on K Cola.
Roach hotspot produces 3lb 2oz specimen
WYN Jones proved why Lochnaw is one of the finest roach fisheries in the UK when his first ever trip to the venue produced a new personal best for the species of 3lb 2oz.
The fish was the highlight of a week’s session at the famous Scottish venue with three fellow members of the Tenchfishers, who also each banked specimens to over 3lb.
The Herts-based specialist fish simple maggot feeder rigs and used a Spomb to introduce hemp, corn, crushed boilies and maggots over the top.
“This is an incredible venue and is by no means easy. But for all of us to bank fish over 3lb is really mind blowing and is further proof that there aren’t any other venues that can touch this place,” said Wyn, who use 5lb hooklinks and size 18 hooks baited with two maggots.
Charity event arranged at Tunnel Barn Farm
Bosses at a top commercial fishery have teamed up with a popular charity to arrange a fundraising event at the complex.
Warwickshire’s Tunnel Barn Farm has decided to raise money for the Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust in memory of keen junior fishermen Steve Steadman who sadly passed away at the age of 16.
The big event will be staged on September 29, with tickets now on sale priced at £20 each.
To secure your spot call Dave on 07787 379390.
Strawberry Fields specimen banked at 48lb 8oz
Carl Milton bagged his first 40 from Strawberry Fields in the shape of the mirror known as Two Tone.
The 48lb 8oz specimen was part of a three-fish catch during a 60-hour session on the Kent venue.
Carl, a 31-year-old physiotherapist from East Sussex, said: “This was my first 40-pounder from the venue having caught 30 other smaller carp from there over the last few years.
“I was over the moon to catch a 40 from Strawberry Fields as it’s not an easy venue. I have been lucky that there are many very good anglers on the water and a very helpful owner who have helped me with various tips.”
The fish took a Nash Monster Squid boilie on a size-eight hook and 10lb line.
Anglers share mammoth haul at Rolfs Lake
Bagging haven Rolfs Lake showed its true colours during a recent event as the 14 man field shared over 2,000lb of carp between them.
Leading the way on the day was venue regular Michael Corsini who fished at various lengths on the pole with pellet from peg 9 for a backbreaking 364lb 14oz total.
Runner up Eddie Taylor-Green managed the double ton with 260lb 5oz, with third placed Neil Riddy placing 208lb 10oz on the scales from peg 11.
For more details visit www.rolfslake.com
Stillwater produces 4lb 1oz perch
A two-year campaign to land a personal best perch came to an end for Neale Woodward when he banked this 4lb 1oz specimen from a Sussex stillwater.
The keen all-rounder had managed fish to 3lb 5oz from commercial venues in the past but was determined to beat the landmark from a local venue containing a low stock of the species.
Despite experiencing countless blank sessions in recent months, he kept faith in the hidden gem and employed a free running leger rig with a king prawn coated in DNA Baits Krill Hydrolysate Liquid.
“As soon as I hooked it I knew I was into a big perch and once it was in the net I couldn’t hide my excitement. This catch makes all the hard work worthwhile,” explained Neale.
Seven Lakes A Haven For Anglers
Formerly owned by Cemex, the Seven Lakes Angling complex has seen significant development work throughout last year including the re-stocking of carp and anglers are now reaping the benefits.
There are seven gravel pits to choose from on this scenic country park including a predator pond, specimen carp lake as well as some mixed stocked all-round style waters that are deep in nature.
The best lake to head to if you’re a pleasure angler looking for a bend in your rod is Lake Two. This 0.4 acre small pond has just five pegs but is stuffed with carp as well as big perch roach and rudd. Pellet is the top bait here but anglers also like to surface fish for the bigger specimens in the summer with bread. If you want to target the big perch then worms should be your bait of choice while maggot will see you catch a nice mixed net. Start in the margins and go out further if your struggling for bites.
For the carpers amongst you there are dozens of twenty-plus sized fish in the 1.1 acre Lake Seven. This lake averages around 12ft in depth and has 14 pegs which are available to nightfish. Lake Six is similar to Seven but is larger in size at 3.3 acres and has a number of islands which anglers can target for the carp which can be caught on meat, corn or pellet. The other lakes all contain a good mix of stock and they also respond well to traditional baits.
Seven Lakes Fishery, Aldermaston
Prices: £6 one rod £10 for two, concessions £4 and £6 for two rods, night fishing two rods £16
Contact: 01189 817166 www.sevenlakesangling.net
Location: Seven Lakes Angling, Paices Hill, Aldermaston, Berkshire, RG7 4PG
Rules: Barbless only, un-hooking mats must be used for carp, no oil based baits, no keepnets
Facilities: Parking, main gate is locked at night
New boilies fool 36lb 8oz common
This chunky 36lb 8oz common was caught from a low-stock southern stillwater by Mike Hamer.
Targeting a hard clear area at over 100 yards range the 43-year-old Wokingham-based electrical contractor baited each rod with 1kg of Dynamite Baits’ new 15mm Crave boilies and offered snowman style hookbaits consisting of a 15mm bottom bait and a 10mm fluro pop-up over the top.
His baits had been in position for 15 hours when he received the all important bite and after a powerful scrap he beat his prize with an 18ins mono hooklink and a size 10 ACE Razorpoint MCS hook.
Huge eel landed in Stafford Moor contest
Keen match angler Mick Simpson was given a major shock during the latest event at Stafford Moor when he banked a 5lb 12oz eel.
The Worksop-based rod had made the 550-mile round trip to the Devon complex and drew peg 8 on Tanners Lake in the contest.
Several carp to 8lb fell for his bomb and pellet attack in the early stages before the specimen made its way into the net.
It isn’t the first large eel to be reported from the venue, with unconfirmed rumours suggesting fish to 10lb have been taken in the past.
Second biggest rudd ever banked
Evidence has come to light to suggest one of the biggest rudd ever landed in the UK has been taken from a small farm pond.
Keen coarse angler Ian Watling gained permission to fish the tiny Norfolk-water close to his home in June last year and was left shell-shocked after he banked a 4lb 8oz specimen along with another of a similar size.
The surprise catch came during an outing with his young son and was banked after it fell for a bunch of maggots presented on a 6m whip.
“We’d been catching a few small fish then all of a sudden this huge rudd was in the net. It just goes to show that waters off the beaten track are capable of producing record-shaking fish,” explained Ian.
Derwent Reservoir's Big Roach Secret
With the opening of the southern end of the dam wall, coarse anglers visiting Derwent Reservoir in Northumberland, have been taking full advantage and sacking up on nets to 30lb of prime roach.
The 1000-acre venue, which has some of the most stunning views an angler could wish for, is absolutely stuffed with roach and now is a good a time as any to go and enjoy the prolific sport. The complex is known more for its fly sport, making it one of the north-easts best kept secrets for coarse fishermen as few anglers tend to fish it for the roach.
Specimens to 12oz are coming out from every peg on the dam wall, with the groundbait feeder the top tactic. A 30-yard chuck is all you need to put yourself on the roach so the best approach is to start with a medium-large feeder filled with a slightly darkened sweet roach mix and once the fish start feeding switch to the bomb for ease of catching. When bites dry up switch back to the feeder once more to attract more fish in to the swim and this should see you start catching again. If trout move into your peg, the trick is to cast a further 5 yards beyond your feed and there you will find the roach again. Some anglers like to use the pole but as catapults are banned and balling in is not permitted it is far easier to catch on the quiver or swingtip. On the hook, most anglers prefer double or triple maggot but other baits can work too including caster or corn.
The venue fishes at its best on cloudier days especially when there is a ripple on the water but even in the worst conditions you can still expect bags of 20lb most of the year.
Derwent Reservoir, Northumberland
Prices: £10 a day from the lodge
Contact: 01207 255250
Location: Derwent Reservoir, Castleside, Northumberland, DH8 9TT
Facilities: Shop (no coarse tackle or bait) parking, disabled access
Rules: No catapults, No groundbait balling in
Venue expert smashes Cudmore Fisheries record
Cudmore Fisheries expert Andy May proved he is the man to beat at the venue when he smashed the Suez Canal match record with 208lb 10oz.
The MAP backed rod drew peg 22 at the Staffordshire complex and fished caster up in the water at 11m to take carp to 4lb and plenty of ide.
Second placed Adam Barns placed 193lb 8oz on the scales while Andy North completed the frame with 175lb 10oz.
Free rod licence in Angling Times
ANGLING Times is yet again putting its full support behind the popular Take a Friend Fishing scheme this week and next by offering all of our readers a free one-day rod licence voucher.
Designed to get more anglers out on the bank and introduce newcomers to the sport, TAFF usually only takes place twice a year but organisers have decided to add an extra week during the May half term school holidays. From Saturday May 25 to midnight Sunday June 2 you can take a friend or family member fishing on a free one-day rod licence worth £3.75.
The Take a Friend Fishing campaign, organised by the Angling Trades Association, was last run at Easter and thousands of anglers took advantage. Angling Trades Association chair Naidre Werner believes the scheme is a brilliant opportunity for existing anglers to introduce others in to the sport.
“With the weather finally improving and the Easter promotion being successful, the Environment Agency has kindly offered another free rod licence promotion for the spring bank holiday,” she explained.
“I would encourage everyone to take part and share the joys of angling with others.”
In addition to the free rod licence, your friend can also fish for free at a number of fisheries and club waters which are members of the Angling Trust who have agreed to support the Take A Friend Fishing campaign by offering free day tickets or club day passes as long as you purchase a day ticket or are an existing club member.
FREE ROD LICENCE
Get your free rod licence inside Angling Times. For more information visit the website: www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk
Singles success for Darren Belton
THE decision to fish single hookbaits paid off in fine style for Darren Belton who made an impressive 18 fish haul from Elphicks Fisheries’ West End Lake which included six thirties.
The Kent-based Greys Academy member started his four night session by fishing over spodded areas, but with action coming and night time temperatures still dropping below freezing he decided on a change of tactics.
“I found some shallower spots in my swim and just cast out single Mainline Baits Clockwork Orange pop-ups. This started to produce fish straight away,” he told Angling Times. “All the bites came in daylight, yet nothing after dark. In total I managed 12 twenties and six thirties weighing 37lb 8oz, 36lb 4oz, 34lb, 33lb, 32lb and 31lb.”
All of Darren’s fish were caught on KD rigs tied Rigmarole Skinfull hooklinks and ESP hooks.
**To find out more about how Darren tackles small waters pick up a copy of the July issue of UKCarp free inside Angling Times**
The Champions League of carp fishing
ONE of the biggest prize funds in competition carping has been stumped up for a Champions League-style event to find Europe’s best anglers.
The European Carp Angling Championship, which was announced last week, will take place at Abbey Lakes in France in November and will feature a €20,000 first prize. Second prize will be €3,500 and third is €1,500.
The pairs competition will run for 135 hours across three lakes – Heron, Fox and Wild Boar – with each team fishing one lake for 45 hours before swapping to the next one during a three-hour break period. Each pair will be limited to 15kg of bait per lake.
Organiser Simon Bennie, who also runs the well-established British Carp Angling Championship, told Angling Times: “We wanted to make it accessible for most people in Europe. We already run five events in the UK, and with the increase in other organisations hosting matches too I think the market in this country is at saturation point.
“We’ve seen a huge interest from mainland Europe and we don’t want this competition to be full of British anglers, we want it to be a truly European event.
“I think most anglers in the UK are well aware of European anglers’ capabilities so I’m sure it will be very keenly contested. Because of the format, the winners will have to use a range of tactics and adapt to three very different lakes.”
The event is open to 45 pairs from across Europe, and more than half a dozen have already signed up.
Entry is €1345 per pair. For more details call Simon on 01278 448212 or email simon@anglingmedia.com.
Gareth Goldson recieves Drennan Cup
THIS is the proud moment when the newly-crowned Drennan Cup champion Gareth Goldson was awarded the most famous and coveted trophy in specimen angling.
Peter Drennan personally presented the Norfolk-based specialist with his prize following a dedicated campaign that saw Gareth travel thousands of miles to both running and stillwater venues up and down the UK.
He secured five weekly Drennan Cup awards for catching big roach, rudd, eels, perch and chub and won the title after a desperately close contest. As well as getting his name etched onto the famous trophy, Gareth also received a cheque for £2,000.
