STILLWATERS ACORN FISHERY, BRISTOL

Big bags of carp averaging 3lb are common on the Top Lake, where both the pole and waggler will work. Sweetcorn on the deck is a good starting point, although pellet and maggot are good change baits. Contact: 01934 834050 Postcode: BS21 6XS

AMALWHIDDEN FARM FISHERY, ST IVES, CORNWALL

There are three lakes to wet a line on at Amalwhidden. The Willow Pond holds mostly silver fish, but both Heron Lake and Fir Tree Pond hold good numbers of carp if you want a bit

more of a pull on your string! For a 20lb bag of quality roach, perch and skimmers, fish caster over groundbait at 8m on Willow Pond. Contact: 01736 796961 Postcode: TR26 3AR

BK FISHERIES, HAYLE, CORNWALL

Spend plenty of time plumbing up to find the deeper water on Bill’s Pool, where the fish are shoaling. Fish on the deck in the deepest part of your swim with a single maggot on the hook and loosefeed freebies with a catapult for carp and silver fish. Contact: 07919 130244 Postcode: TR27 6HP

COLEMAN’S COTTAGE FISHERY, WITHAM, ESSEX

For a triple-figure net,

head to Wood Lake where bags of carp, F1s, bream and barbel are being caught in the margins on pellet or corn. Maintaining a constant trickle of bait going into your swim is vital in putting together a big weight – so use a Cad pot or top up with a cupping kit after each fish. Contact: 01376 516383 Postcode: CM8 3EX

DIGGER LAKES, CULLOMPTON, DEVON

A host of 30lb-plus carp are stocked in Snail’s and Persey’s Pools and are regularly caught by the locals who fish there. The maze of islands, channels and bays makes Snail’s Lake a great choice for the angler adopting a roving approach. Contact: 07733 2233417 Postcode: EX15 2PE

EMERALD POOL FISHERY, HIGHBRIDGE, SOMERSET

Feed a combination of softened pellets and corn to catch a good bag of carp. Fish a single grain of corn or a 6mm pellet on the hook for fish to 5lb. Feed little and often with a small pole pot to achieve the best results. Contact: 01278 794707 Postcode: TA9 3NL

FOUR PONDS FISHERY, TIVERTON, DEVON

A specimen lake, a mixed coarse lake and another designed for beginners and families make up Four Ponds Fishery. Head to Kingfisher Lake to catch ghost carp and mirrors to 14lb. The near shelf is a natural patrolling route for these fish and is the best place to start off on pellets and corn. Fish up in the water if the fish start to show shallow. Contact: 01398 331169 Postcode: EX16 9BU

GOLD VALLEY LAKES, ALDERSHOT, HANTS

The fishery’s six-acre Gold Lake boasts a huge head of bream and carp, and match weights of 100lb-plus are a regular occurrence. All pegs are capable of producing decent catches on either waggler or long-range feeder tactics. Bait staples such as corn, worm, pellets and maggots will all get bites. Contact: 01252 336333 Postcode: GU11 2PT

PUDDLEDOCK FARM FISHERY, UPMINSTER, ESSEX

The Snake Lake is the place to be for a big haul right now as 200lb-plus weights have been featuring, and if you want to make the frame you’re going to have to catch at least 150lb! Matrixbacked Ross Harman won a recent match from peg 33 with 211lb 8oz of carp to 9lb as he fished pellet shallow at 14.5m across to the far bank and then maggots late on in the margins. Contact: 07788 716837 Postcode: RM14 3NX