Brace of 30lb linears
One 30lb linear in a session is enough for most, but Lewis Daneshi had two in a seven-fish haul.
The fish came in bursts during a 24-hour session at day-ticket water Farlows, in Iver, Buckinghamshire.
Said Lewis: “It was my first 24-hour session at Farlows in a long time and it was one to remember. The session included a triple take, a double take and a brace of 30lb-plus linears!”
The largest was the Cut Tail Linear at 35lb, and a 31lb linear. Lewis used Carp Company Ice Red boilies and rigs of size 6 Nash Fang Twisters and Missing Link.
Hazel bankstick returned to angling icon Chris Yates
Chris Yates made the dreams of a lifelong fan come true after he returned an antique piece of tackle left on the bank by the angling icon.
The incredible story unfolded while Chris Johnson was enjoying the last day of the river season on the Hampshire Avon when he stumbled across an unusual bankstick that had been driven into the ground in his favourite swim.
Upon retrieving the tackle item Chris was still to realise the importance of his find but he soon it belonged to the angling great whose world famous television series ‘A Passion for Angling’ had been an inspiration to him.
“On reaching the swim I noticed two prongs sticking out of the ground,” Chris told Angling Times.
“I pulled the stick out and washed it in the river – which revealed the name ‘Chris Yates’ down one side. I knew by the bespoke quality of the stick that it wasn’t just any ordinary rod rest and took to social media to see if I could return it to its owner. I didn’t make the connection at the time that it belonged to the one and only Chris Yates!”
The pike fishing fanatic’s Facebook post was an instant hit with dozens of anglers and eventually it caught the eye of Robert Burt – the creator of the bankstick.
“Robert took my number and said he would pass it on to ‘Yatesy’,” Chris added. “A day later my phone rang from a ‘withheld’ number.
“I answered the phone and was greeted by that ever-so recognisable voice. After a brief chat I was shocked that he invited me round to his house so I could return the stick.”
During the meeting we shared a cup of tea and a chat about our fishing methods. Before I left he nipped upstairs and returned with a signed copy of his book, ‘The Lost
Diary’. I was almost speechless and felt so lucky to have been part of such a memorable experience.”
Overwhelmed by the generosity of Chris Johnson’s actions, Chris Yates commented on how true honesty can still be found in angling.
“My hazel fork stick is a beautiful piece of tackle and it would’ve been a huge shame to have lost it. It’s fantastic to see this kind of honesty and I applaud Chris for it. I look forward to seeing him on the river during the next season.”
Swinscoe holds on for title
Garbolino Silverfish Winter League (final round)
Meadowlands Fishery, Lambsdown & Warren Lakes (50 pegs)
The final round of this league was a windy affiar, but there were still lots of fish caught over both lakes.
Joint winners on the day were Gary O’Shea and Steve Hemingray, who were only two pegs apart on the pump bank of the Lambsdown Lake. Chucking cage feeders on to the long pole line and longer at 25m, both men ended the day with
22-8-0 of skimmers.
Wayne Swinscoe was been the most consistent performer across the series with his worst dropped result being second in section. Gary O’Shea also had eight points, Wayne pipping him on section countback.
Result: Jt1 G O’Shea, Preston Innovations Thatcher’s and S Hemingray, Drennan, both 22-8-0; 3 S Willsmore, Drennan/D&A Tackle, 21-12-0; 4 M Phillips, Milton Keynes, 21-2-0.
League: 1 W Swinscoe, Drennan/Bait-Tech, 8pts (section countback); 2 G O’Shea, Preston Innovations Thatcher’s, 8; 3 S Tucker, Garbolino/Bait-Tech, 9; 4 D Cox, Garbolino, 11 (section countback); 5 L Klimkzuk, Drennan/Bait-Tech, 11.
Whitfield edges win in festival
Ulley Reservoir Two Day Festival (Sun & Mon)
Rotherham (22 pegs)
Strong winds and heavy rain failed to stop the fish feeding in this two-day Easter match.
Bag’em Baits-backed Steve Whitfield got the nod on total weight after tying with stablemate Paul Hardy on four points.
Steve won Day 1 with 10-13-0 of bream and skimmers off peg 10 as he fished groundbait feeder and maggot at 60 turns.
John Goodwin won the second match with 21-14-0 of bream on feeder and worm, Steve ending up second on 17-13-0 to give him the much-needed weight to win.
Day 1: 1 S Whitfield, Bag’em Baits, 10-13-0; 2 D Miles, Rotherham, 8-9-0; 3 J Farmer, Tri-Cast Calder, 7-11-0.
Day 2: 1 J Goodwin, Tri-Cast Calder, 21-14-0; 2 S Whitfield, Bag ‘Em Baits, 17-13-0; 3 P Hardy, Bag’em Baits, 12-2-0.
Overall: 1 S Whitfield, Bag’em Baits, 4pts (weight); 2 P Hardy, Bag’em Baits, 4; 3 D Miles, Rotherham, 6; 4 J Goodwin, Tri-Cast Calder, 7 (weight); 5 B Searle, Sheffield, 7.
Prawn bait proves the downfall of 4lb perch
Cornwall’s BK Fisheries has been on fire for big perch recently and it proved its specimen credentials once again when it produced this superb 4lb fish.
Local angler Luke Oates floatfished a prawn to get the better of the specimen that was lured into the swim after he used groundbait mixed with maggots and prawns.
Luke fed a ball into his chosen swim every 30 minutes. It was an approach that paid off handsomely when he beat the fish with a simple rig made from 8lb mainline, a fluorocarbon hooklink and a size 10 Drennan Super Specialist hook.
Fishing hut for sale. A snip at just £65,000!
A bivvy might set you back a few hundred quid, but now is your chance to own an overnight base with a touch of luxury… if you have a spare £65,000!
Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast between Lyme Regis and Weymouth is one of the nation’s prime cod fishing areas, with anglers travelling from miles to the South Coast hotspot to take advantage of the action.
In order to cater for that growing market, estate agent Symonds & Sampson has placed the wooden fishing hut on the market and is expecting a flurry of interest.
Situated on the water’s edge, the owner will be able to fish by the side of the accommodation and take shelter in rough conditions while they wait for the action to commence.
Plenty of interest is expected in the hut and a spokesperson for Symonds & Sampson said: “It was built two years ago and is in very good order. Although there are no furnishings, water or electric supply, it would be very easy to install a generator and gas cylinder cooker.”
For more details call 01305 251154.
England’s line-up for women’s international
The first-ever womens’ international carp event will take place between England and Wales.
Carp Team England has announced its squad for the match at Barston Lakes in the West Midlands between April 15 and 17.
The ‘Lionesses’, marshalled by Rob Hughes, are (from left to right, top row to bottom row) Elain Taylor, Samantha Roberts, Ellen Beedham, Samantha Hoskins, Debbie Taylor, Theresa Biggs, Beverley Clifford, Miranda Brown and Tania Williams.
Manager Miranda Brown said: “We are really looking forward to this competition. It has taken months of planning but we are proud to represent our country.”
First-time visitor’s disbelief at huge 60lb carp
Three bivvies, a personal best and a lake record were all destroyed as Storm Katie produced a day-ticket water’s first 60-pounder.
Meadows Lake at Holme Fen Fishery only opened last year but has already produced incredible catches including three fish over 50lb. Its first sixty, known as Captain Jack, weighed in at 60lb 2oz and was caught by tackle-shop owner Zack Barrett during a windy 48-hour session.
The 41-year-old, on his first visit to the Cambridgeshire day-ticket venue, told Angling Times: “You obviously go there knowing about the size of fish, but never did I expect to catch a 60-pounder in the UK.”
“It was a social session with three customers and we arrived on Easter Monday for 48 hours. It was incredibly windy and three bivvies got broken during our stay.
“I went in a swim called Beach, which I knew had recently produced fish but, with the recent cold snap and the freezing winds, I was gentle with the bait.
“The fish came from a single rod over which I put 10 spods of Holme Fen Pellets, corn and a cup of Sticky Krill boilies. I fished a CC Moore Northern Special wafter in a PVA bag.”
Zack, who runs Melton Angling in Melton Mowbray, got the take at 11am on Tuesday.
He said: “I got just one bleep and noticed the bobbin had pulled up tight, and I leant straight into it. The fish took line in its own measured fashion and it was probably on for 10 or 15 minutes before I called for help from the swim next door.”
Zanders galore from Leicester canal
Hours spent locating zander on his local canal paid off for predator ace Sean Palmer when he bagged this 9lb 12oz fish.
After fishing in numerous areas with little joy, the Leicester rod hit the jackpot netting no less than nine smaller specimens during a hectic few hours.
Sean tempted all his fish using a Herakles Viber shad lure tied to a fluoro leader and braided mainline.
Quest for £60,000 prize kicks off for 2016
The eagerly-awaited Maver Mega Match This campaign for 2016 got underway on Saturday with a sell-out eliminator on the prolific Glebe and Mallory Park Fisheries in Leicestershire.
It was one of matchfishing’s most well known names who bagged a final spot at the first time of asking as Simon Fry beat a strong field for victory.
The Garbolino man has enjoyed a glittering career, with Division 1 National individual gold alongside a host of medals with Starlets. Now he’ll be fishing for that massive prize of £60,000 this summer at Larford Lakes after weighing in an unbeatable 203-12-0.
Drawing peg 46 on the fancied Uglies Pool, Stratford-upon-Avon-based Simon kicked off his match on bomb and pellet to bank 10 big carp for a great start, but when he switched to his 14m pole line with the same bait, things got going as he lifted into 14 more of the lake’s chunky residents, including a 14lb fish, to see him home.
Second went to one of the country’s up-and-coming young anglers Tom Edwards, as he replied with 180-0-0 fishing long pole and maggot and feeder and pellet to find fish into double figures, although he was unable to match Simon’s pace.
Result: 1 S Fry, Garbolino, 203-12-0; 2 T Edwards, Dynamite Baits, 180-0-0;
3 B Chapman, GOT Baits, 174-0-0; jt 4 R Lidgard and N Stones, both 139-8-0; 6 A Kinder, Maver, 115-0-0.
MATCH THIS QUALIFIERS
Simon Fry may have already booked his place in the big Maver Match This final, but there is still plenty of opportunity for you to join him in the eagerly awaited showdown at Larford Lakes.
Qualifiers are set to be staged at top class commercials up and down the country between now and mid-August, and there is almost certain to be one within a stone’s throw of your home.
Take the plunge and get involved in Maver Match This – you’ve got to be in it to win it!
Tickets are priced at £50 each and you can buy as many as you like on a first come, first served basis by visiting www.mavermatchthis.co.uk
Woodland View, Worcs – April 9
Heronbrook Fisheries, Staffs – April 23
Lindholme Lakes, N Lincs – May 1
Westwood Lakes, Lincs – May 7
Larford Lakes, Worcs – May 14
Partridge Lakes, Cheshire – May 21
Gold Valley Lakes, Hants – May 28
The Glebe/Mallory Park, Leices – May 29 (SOLD OUT)
Decoy Lakes, Cambs – June 8
Lakeview Fisheries, Leics – June 11
Larford Lakes, Worcs – June 12
Viaduct Fishery, Somerset – June 18
Hayfield Lakes, S Yorks – June 25
Monk Lakes, Kent – July 9
Partridge Lakes, Cheshire – July 16
Larford Lakes, Worcs – July 17
Colemans Cottage, Essex – July 23
The Glebe/ Mallory Park, Leics – July 27 (SOLD OUT)
Heronbrook Fisheries, Staffs – July 30
Hallcroft Fishery, Notts – August 6
Barston Lakes, W Mids – August 7
Decoy Lakes, Cambs – August 10
Tunnel Barn Farm, Warks – August 13
49lb Wood Common is a tribute to lost daughter
Lee Symonds looked to the heavens for inspiration as a full moon and a prayer to his late daughter combined in the capture of one of Britain’s most coveted commons.
Having lost his 10-year-old daughter Olivia last year, the Great Yarmouth angler was overcome with emotion as he slipped his net under the Wood Common at 49lb 10oz at Norfolk’s Spitfire Pool.
The 32-year-old, whose cousin Ian Coote caught the water’s other big common at 43lb 8oz during the same trip, told Angling Times: “I lost my daughter last year and the night before I caught the common I put a little status on Facebook praying to my little woman to bring me luck.
“The next day I caught the fish and the emotions were just… I turned to [venue owner] Rich [Wilby] and I was bawling my eyes out.”
It’s the first time the venue’s two big commons have been caught in the same week and Lee is a firm believer in the importance of lunar cycles in producing such specimens.
“We timed the trip on the moon phases and there was a big full moon due. We arrived on the Sunday and on the Tuesday Ian had the Long Common and I had the Wood Common on Thursday afternoon, bang on the full moon. We’ve booked another week for September when there’s another new moon.”
Venue owner Rich Wilby said: “Lee has had a terrible year with the tragic loss of his little girl. I honestly couldn’t think of a nicer guy and someone who deserved more to catch the best-looking common carp in the UK.”
Lee, who runs an artificial-grass company, fished a spot known as the Borehole and also caught a 35lb 8oz mirror known as the Pearl.
He fished DT Baits Cold Water Mix Green Beast boilies and presented a matching washed-out pink pop-up on a stiff hinged rig created with an ESP Cryogen Stiff Rigger hook, Tungsten Loaded boom and Nash Chod Link.
He added: “To have three fish between us in a week was amazing.”
4lb 3oz perch sets a new club record
The only bite of a perch fishing session produced this record-breaking specimen for big-fish ace Danny Taylor.
Weighing in at an impressive 4lb 3oz, the mint-conditioned predator not only sets a new record for Christchurch Angling Club, but also smashes his personal best for the species.
The Hampshire-based specimen hunter joined the club in order to better his 3lb 5oz previous ‘pb’ perch, and he achieved his goal on one of the club’s many quality stillwaters when he braved the pouring rain.
“It was a miserable day and far from ideal for perch because it was lashing it down one minute and sunny the next,” said Danny.
“When you’re fishing for perch with baits such as worms and prawns, you often get pestered by other species so I’ve found that small roach livebaits are perfect for avoiding this and, on this particular session, I knew that the latter part of the day would be my best chance.
As darkness fell on the fishery, Danny left out his floatfished roach while he packed away the remainder of his tackle, and it was then that the bright orange tip of his bite indicator slid beneath the surface.
“I knew it was something special as soon as I set the hook,” said Danny.
“In the past I’ve caught lots of fish over 3lb, but this specimen was in a completely different league. To think that I was almost going to get on my way just shows how important it is to give it as long as you can before calling it a day when fishing in conditions like this.
Viaduct match is ‘best of the year so far’
A match that’s been dubbed ‘the best contest of 2016 so far’ produced almost 3,000lb of fish.
At a time of year when 100lb would win most matches, incredibly, this was only good enough for 15th place during the event at Somerset’s Viaduct Fisheries as the top 20 anglers shared a colossal 2,700lb of carp and silvers.
Winner Craig Edmunds felt the favourable conditions would lead to a few bites, but was left shocked when he ended the session with an arm-aching 303lb 14oz.
Drawn peg 94 on Cary Lake, the venue regular kept a bend in his rod from start to finish.
“It was a peg that hasn’t had much form of late, but I just had a feeling it was going to produce a few fish,” he said.
“By rotating different tactics the bites never stopped, with my biggest carp weighing in at around 17lb. The fact that I wasn’t in a particularly noted area just goes to show that the winter shoals have broken up and you now stand a chance of catching a huge match or pleasure weight from virtually any peg.”
Second-placed Myles Levy was just one fish off the winning pace and finished on 299lb 11oz from peg 114 on Campbell Lake.
He is confident the event marks the start of a prolific season on commercials.
“There were fish being caught all over the place and the best bit is that the fishing is going to get even better in the coming weeks,” he said.
“If you’ve not been out fishing for a long while, now is the time to dust off your tackle as the weather is improving rapidly. You’ve a great chance of catching a lot of fish.”
To prove it wasn’t a fluke, the complex reached similar heights just days later when the top 15 bagged over 1,800lb as Craig again topped the pile with 299lb.
Sport at dozens of other venues also hit top gear, with the three-day festival at Staffordshire’s Heronbrook Fisheries proving a major hit.
Local rod Ash Davies took the title in a tournament that saw a talented field share over 6,500lb between them.
And Sherwood Forest Fishery, Notts, produced its biggest haul of the year. Craig Brazier took the honours, with 162lb 1oz of carp from the silverfish-dominated Sherwood Lake.
25lb-plus pike leaves predator ace Ant Glascoe Jr buzzing
Ant Glascoe Jnr was buzzing following the capture of this immaculate 25lb-plus canal pike.
The Manchester predator fishing expert was testing the new Black Savage rods from Savage Gear when he worked an 8ins lure to attract the huge pike’s attention.
He and his friend Danny Esox, from Huddersfield, who banked this big double also had six other predators into double figures during their productive session on a canal in the south of the UK.
“We are travelling the country fishing so many different waters and getting some real results where ever we go,” Ant said.
“I was really buzzing after catching this fish, as I don’t think I’ve ever caught a fish with such stunning markings and colouration,” he said.
New Yateley best with a 43lb common
This eye-catching 43lb 6oz common was Martin Gardener’s third forty of the season from Yateley’s North Lake.
The company director, from Flackwell Heath, Buckinghamshire, said: “I’m thrilled to catch this one still in its winter colours. It’s a new pb for me as well.”
The 51-year-old added: “It’s a great way to end my first full year on the North Lake and was my third 40lb-plus fish from there this season.”
The big common was the only bite of a 48-hour session at the historic Hampshire complex. Martin fished to a gravel patch 80yds out and baited with five Midi Spombs of whole 16mm Sticky Krill boilies and presented a matching wafter over the top on a Korda Wide Gape hook tied to N-Trap Soft.
He said: “Reliable tried-and-tested rigs and baits are what I prefer, with components that won’t let you down.
“That way, I can enjoy my fishing knowing that I have full confidence in what I’m using, leaving me free to concentrate on location and spots,” Martin added.
Yates banks top spot at Lindholme
Doncaster Fishing Centre Winter League (rnd 12)
Garbolino Lindholme Lakes, Bonsai Lake (32 pegs)
Former England man Paul Yates topped the shop in round 12 as he was the only man to break the ton.
He banked and impressive 102-15-0 of F1s to 3lb from peg 38 where he caught on pellet at 16m to the island.
Daiwa Dons’ Reg Fearn was on next door peg 36 using maggot to the island and short to take second with 87-8-0 of F1s.
On the league front, Pete Riley holds a slender one point lead from Paul Wright and Steve Donoghue.
Result: 1 P Yates, Drennan, 102-15-0; 2 R Fearn, Daiwa Dons, 87-8-0; 3 P Riley, Doncaster Fishing Centre, 71-6-0; 4 A Bailey, Daiwa Dons, 68-0-0;
5 P Smith, Daiwa Dons, 54-13-0; 6 D Evans, Doncaster Fishing Centre, 50-9-0.
League: 1 P Riley, 8pts; jt2 S Donoghue and P Wright, both 9.
Final session barbel glory
The final session of the river season will be one Gary Lucas will always remember after he slipped the net under two double-figure barbel topped by a 14lb 11oz specimen.
Fishing on an unnamed stretch of the River Thames, the 3FT Baits tester fed just small amounts of broken boilies in PVA bags with matching boilies on the hook to tempt his brace, which also included an 11lb 14oz barbel. He said: “I have fished the Thames for nearly 30 years now and it never gives up its treasured possessions that easy. For some reason this season has been one of the toughest I’ve known. I’ve only caught probably half the fish of previous seasons, so to get these two was superb.”
Pringle banks the £1,000 top spot in league
Lakeview Fishery Middy Xtreme Winter Series Grand Final
Canal, River, Stream Lagoon & Serpent Pools (47 pegs)
The £1,000 top prize in the culmination of this winter series went to Leicester man Tom Pringle.
He weighed-in 65-7-0 from peg 15 on the Stream Pool where he kicked off fishing down the track with maggot before moving across to the island with pellet to take carp, F1s and a few skimmers. He also picked up a full set of luggage for his troubles, courtesy of event sponsors Middy.
The race for second ended up being shared as Sean Huggins and Matt Smith both recorded 57-12-0 from pegs 20 and 17 respectively on the Stream Pool.
Andy Searle won the top 10 pay-out for the highest combined weight across the series with 819-5-0 to win £275 while Tom and Eric Lillyman won the random pairs on the day to add an extra £30 to their winnings.
Result: 1 T Pringle, Wigston, 65-7-0; jt2 S Huggins, Drennan/Dynamite Baits and M Smith, Melton Angling, 57-12-0; 4; K Daws, Sensas, 53-8-0; 5 S Skelton, Maver, 52-12-0; 6 S Haywood, Middy, 46-1-0.
20,000 flood to The Big One
A record-breaking crowd was treated to the ultimate celebration of angling as the sport’s stars came together at the year’s biggest fishing show.
Over 20,000 people travelled to The Big One event at Hampshire’s Farnborough Airport, with organisers left overawed at the sheer numbers who flooded through the gates.
Visitors were treated to a weekend of top-quality entertainment at the venue, with dozens of the sport’s most iconic figures, including Des Shipp, Will Raison and Ali Hamidi, making an appearance.
Several hours of demonstrations from the best in the business were performed, with ticket holders also given the opportunity to sample the latest tackle under the guidance of their heroes, before grabbing a bargain from the numerous retailers that attended.
Chief organiser Vince Davies has been inundated with positive feedback since proceedings drew to a close.
“The comments we have had from both visitors and exhibitors have been phenomenal and it is clear that everybody had a fantastic weekend,” he told Angling Times.
“We worked hard to create a show with a difference and I believe the blend of demonstrations, and retail and interactive features went down a storm.
“There were a few problems with car parking on the Saturday and we will be ensuring that doesn’t happen next year.”
River fishing legend Dave Harrell was among those who proved a big hit with visitors, signing autographs and sharing his knowledge from his DH Angling stand.
“The Big One is always a fantastic opportunity to meet new anglers and this time was no different.
“I barely had a minute to spare over the weekend as a result of the huge crowds, and I’m already looking forward to doing it all over again next year,” he said.
Mistal Baits new website launches!
Mistral Baits, one of the longest running bait companies in the country has launched their brand new interactive site. Head over and check out their new products, features, videos and more!
