Four roach over 2lb fall after change of bait

A day session at Sway Lakes in Hampshire produced four 2lb-plus roach for Mike Townsend.

Specimens of 2lb 10oz, 2lb 8oz, 2lb 4oz, 2lb 2oz and 2lb came to the Doncaster-based all-rounder after he switched from casters to 8mm pellets on the hook.

He said: “I’d spent from dawn until 2pm trying to wade through the smaller fish using casters and hemp. The change to pellets brought steady action through the afternoon and only one other roach fell to the pellets that didn’t break the 2lb-barrier. Fish like this make the long journey from my home down to Hampshire more than worthwhile,” he added.