13 WATERS TO TRY THIS WEEKEND FOR A BIG PIKE
40lb LOCH LOMOND, BALLOCH, SCOTLAND
Arguably the best pike fishing water in Britain, Lomond has repeatedly produced monster fish of 40lb or more. Back in August Andrew Carson bagged a 40lb 5oz specimen from this historic 24-mile-long venue. Run by Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association, you can fish Lomond on a day ticket. Contact: Ticklers Tackle, 01436 675044 Postcode: G83 8EG
30lb RIVERWYE, GOODRICH, HEREFORDSHIRE
The lower River Wye is one of the best areas for a river thirty, but location is key. The Angling Dreams-run Thomas Wood stretch is a hotspot. Look for the deep pools and be prepared to fish into dusk. Contact: Angling Dreams, 07976 908985
30lb LLANGORSE LAKE, BRECON, POWYS
The premier pike water in Wales, Llangorse offers a chance of boating specimen fish in excess of 30lb. Contact: 01874 658226 Postcode: LD3 7TR
45lb ESTHWAITE WATER, HAWKSHEAD, CUMBRIA
This huge Lake District venue holds fish to over 45lb and regularly produces fish well into the thirties. Contact: 015394 36541 Postcode: LA22 0QF
40lb RUTLAND WATER, OAKHAM, LEICS
This huge water may be famous for its zander sport but it also holds some monster pike rumoured to be in excess of 40lb. You can fish from a boat for them on a day ticket, too. Contact: 01780 686441 Postcode: LE15 8HD
30lb WATERMARK FISHERY, SOUTH CERNEY, GLOS
This day-ticket venue, part of the prolific Cotswold Water Park, has its own pike lake which regularly produces 20lb-plus fish and offers the chance of a dream 30-pounder. Contact: 07769 173108 Postcode: GL7 5UZ
46lb WYKEHAM LAKES, SCARBOROUGH, N YORKS
Predator angler Wyndon Coole netted a colossal 46lb 11oz pike from the nine-acre predator lake at this Yorkshire venue. The same fish was caught this week at 41lb (see Netbusters pages 10&11). Contact: 07515 992981 Postcode: YO13 9QU
32lb RUDYARD LAKE, LEEK, STAFFS
Run by Stoke on Trent Angling Society but available on a day ticket, this 180-acre lake in the Peak District holds pike to 32lb-plus. Locating fish is key, but you can hire boats for fishing. Contact: 01538 306280 Postcode: ST13 8XB
30lb HAMPSHIRE AVON, ROYALTY FISHERY, CHRISTCHURCH, DORSET
This famous fishery comes alive with pike in winter, when some monsters inhabit its gravel-laden runs. The Little Weir, House Pool and Railway swims are hotspots. Contact: Davis Tackle, 01202 485169
36lb FARMOOR RESERVOIR, FARMOOR, OXON
Lake 1 of this huge Thames Water-run reservoir holds pike to over 30lb. Last February fishery manager Ben Farley landed a 36lb 4oz fish on a lure here. Contact: 07747 640707 Postcode: OX2 9NS
30lb TEN MILE BANK, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK
This long, featureless water holds a good head of pike with the odd fish to over 30lb. Fishing the reedy margins with lures and wobbled baits is a good way to explore a stretch of this wide Fenland drain. Try the section at Modney Bridge. Contact: Shipshape Tackle, 01553 764058
25lb GRAFHAM WATER, HUNTINGDON, CAMBS
Boat fishing on this large Anglian Water-run reservoir regularly produces pike to 25lb-plus. They catch them on the fly, lures and bait here. Contact: 01480 810531 Postcode: PE28 0BX
30lb BURY HILL FISHERY, DORKING, SURREY
You can fish from the bank or a punt on the Old Lake and this delightful water, complete with an island, holds pike to over 30lb. Contact: 01306 877540 Postcode: RH4 3JU