Match record smashed as fish finally wake up

After months of freezing temperatures, intense rainfall and biting winds, the time has finally come to get out there and catch some fish! 

In what’s been one of the worst starts to spring in a long time for UK fishing, Angling Times can proudly reveal that sport has staged a revival.

Huge match weights and big fish catches are now being made all over the country. 

A spike in temperatures has significantly improved results on the commercial match scene, with a large number of 100lb, 200lb and even 300lb weights reported over the last couple of weeks. 

One of the most significant hauls was taken by Spotted Fin matchman Matt Bingham, who smashed the venue’s match record at Tunnel Barn Farm Fishery with 385lb 10oz of F1s and carp from peg 29 on the venue’s House Pool. 

Tunnel Barn fishery manager Tony Mcguire spoke exclusively to Angling Times to explain why the fishing has all of a sudden taken off. 

He said: “It’s been a long, hard winter which the fish have now come out of, so they’re very hungry and looking to pack some weight back on. 

“This has shown more and more as the temperatures have risen and the fish have gained the confidence to really go on the feed – and the match results have gone up and up because of that. 

“The average winning match weight across the complex now is between 180lb and 250lb, whereas a few weeks ago it was only about 60lb, so the difference is already plain to see. 

“It won’t be long before we’ll be seeing regular 200lb-plus weights here again.”

It’s not just match and pleasure anglers who will be welcoming the warmer weather – specimen anglers, too, are making preparations for their upcoming bream and tench campaigns. 

Top fish scientist and Angling Times weekly columnist, Dr Paul Garner, revealed why now is the best time to target specimen fish. 

He said: “Fish, as cold blooded animals, respond to the rise in water temperature. They feed more and become more catchable. 

“They will search out the warmest water, so make sure you target areas which receive plenty of sun, as well as areas of shallower water. The end of a south-westerly wind can be very productive. 

“As for species to target, bream are perfect in early spring and carp always have a mad spell about now. The tench are also now beginning to wake up. 

“It’s worth mentioning that this is still a brilliant time to target big stillwater roach, so don’t feel the need to rush to a catch a ‘summer’ species just yet.

“Moreover, the reason it’s such a good time to catch a specimen is mainly down to the fish feeding harder and replacing their used-up fat reserves – that’s why fish are nice and plump in the spring.

“In late spring, female fish will fill up with spawn. This is most noticeable only a few days prior to their actually spawning. 

“Tench are usually at their heaviest at this stage.”