Skimmers galore at High Heyes
ASTON SPRINGS FISHERY, SHEFFIELD, S YORKSHIRE
Stable lake has abundant shoals of silverfish that can be caught on the long and short pole, feeder or waggler with maggot. Fish a fairly short hook-link on the feeder and bites will be positive. Contact: 01142 470876 Postcode: S26 5EP
BRADSHAW FISHERIES, BOLTON, LANCS
Lake Four is full of quality carp, but it is roach and skimmers that are featuring in 15lb nets. Fish either maggot or caster over groundbait on the deck at 13m but don’t be afraid to shallow up if you miss bites. Contact: 01204 307197 Postcode: BL2 4JW
BROOKSIDE FISHERIES, WARRINGTON, CHESHIRE
On the Snake Lake maggot down the track is a winner. F1s will make up the mainstay of the sport, plus quality ide and a few better carp. It’s a good idea to set up a rig to cover the far bank. Contact: 01925 730893 Postcode: WA4 4DT
ESTHWAITE WATER, HAWKSHEAD, CUMBRIA
Perch to 3lb and pike can be taken on lures and rubber shads. Fish close in for the perch, further out for the pike. Contact: 015394 36541 Postcode: LA22 0QF
FIELDS FARM FISHERY, SANDBACH, CHESHIRE
The Far Hope water has seen fluctuating weights over the past few weeks, but very few have caught under 30lb. A recent open match here was won with nearly 80lb of carp by fishing banded hard pellet tight up to the corner of the island on peg 14, spraying 6mm pellets with 8mm hook-baits Contact: 01270 753074 Postcode: CW11 4TE
LANGWITH LAKES, HESLINGTON, N YORKSHIRE
Kevin’s Lake has 30 pegs offering fantastic fishing. A real mixed bag of fish is on the cards with chub, tench, skimmers, roach and rudd, along with with big weights of carp filling up keep-nets. Maggots and casters are bringing more bites than corn, meat or pellets. Contact: 01904 431874 Postcode: YO10 5EJ
MOORFIELDS FARM FISHERY, GOOLE, E YORKS
Nets to over 50lb of carp and skimmers are still being taken across all three waters here. Fish a small feeder loaded with dampened micro pellets and corn on the hook, switching to banded 6mm pellets for the bigger carp. Contact: 07710 817150 Postcode: DN14 8BQ
OLD HOUGH FISHERY, MIDDLEWICH, CHESHIRE
Upper Benbo is producing the best match weights thanks to its stocking of carp to 9lb, F1s to 2lb, tench to 3lb, crucians, bream to 5lb, ide to 3lb, perch, barbel, chub to 3lb and grass carp to 2lb. Contact: 07976 381996 Postcode: CW10 0HQ
ROMAN LAKES, NR STOCKPORT, CHESHIRE
Although stocked with carp, tench, bream, roach and perch, the pike are the fish to target, with fish to well over 25lb. Mackerel deadbaits floatfished down the edge often produce a take. Contact: 01614 272039 Postcode: SK6 7HB
ROSEMARY WOOD FISHERY, ORMSKIRK, LANCS
The Island Pool still has the potential to produce 120lb bags of quality carp at this time of year on pellet waggler to the island. Switch between banded 8mm and 6mm pellets and catapult 6mm offerings over the top. Start with 3ft hook-link, shallowing up if you get liners. Contact: 07957 434325 Postcode: L39 7JD
SEPHTON FARM FISHERIES, ORMSKIRK, LANCS
Willows Lake is worth a visit for perch over 2lb and barbel. Both species will take a small bunch of maggots on a float or small bomb. The perch can be caught in the margins all through the winter while the barbel will move further down the shelf and will shoal up. Contact: 01704 893178, Postcode: L40 1UG
SYKEHOUSE FISHERIES, GOOLE, S YORKS
The Stock and Match ponds are producing the best weights at the moment, as the fish are enjoying the expanse of open water that can be found within the two. Surprisingly, 4mm and 6mm cubes of luncheon meat are currently doing the most damage, with anglers taking carp to 5lb and the odd tench, bream and roach by fishing at the bottom of the near slope. Contact: 01405 785403 or 07885745538 Postcode: DN14 9AJ