WINNING PEGS TO HEAD FOR NOW 19 12

NOT all canals are about light rigs, tiny baits and small fish. Take the rural stretch of cut at Grove Lock, just outside Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire.

This day-ticket stretch is full of big carp and regulars to this waterway love nothing more than seeing the elastic stream from their pole or their rods hoop over when one of the resident brutes tries its best to disappear off down the track.

Despite the venue being a commercial fishery in terms of what you can catch, what you will find here that you won’t at your local carp pool are much lower angler numbers, meaning you can enjoy peace and quiet.

Most of the carp average 9lb-12lb but there are a few 01453 791417 Prices: £4 a day on the bank or £24 a year, Winget Angling Club You won’t find crowded banks on this canal. bigger lumps to over 20lb too.

In summer many anglers catch the carp by fishing floating pellets or dog biscuits, but a Method feeder cast tight across to the far bank or a feature can be equally effective.

The cut also holds more have been landed with lots of dace, grayling and a few brownies also reported. It’s an idyllic spot where a light, roaming approach provide almost endless swim possibilities. Contact: Ringwood Tackle, SUMMERHAYES Fisheries has six well maintained ponds with up to 105 swims. All ponds are well stocked with carp, tench, perch, bream, roach, rudd and chub. The fishery has a bait shop, toilets and disabled pegs. Regular matches are held on the complex but there are always lakes left aside for pleasure anglers. Prices: £7 a day, £5.50 concessions Contact: 07866 557896 Postcode: TA6 6LW Longs Lake: Nets to 80lb showing in matches on this peg, which is being placed in the frame regularly. It’s mainly carp being caught in the margins here. Sellicks: This is another good peg. One angler beat the venue match record with 213lb 3oz fishing this peg recently. He caught mainly carp to double figures. typical silverfish and predators, so if you’re a more traditional angler you can also enjoy a good day’s sport. 01425 475155 Prices: £10 a day or £5 concessions from local tackle shops, Christchurch AC 01992 462044 Prices: £4 on the bank, Hertford AC & Ware AC Joint