Fishery of the Week
They’re hungry, and fish over 30lb are out there
Naseby Reservoir
AFTER what seemed like an endless winter, suddenly everything is warming up, and lakes and reservoirs up and down the country are producing sport that only a month ago would have been unthinkable.
Take Naseby Reservoir in Northamptonshire. Close to the scene of the Battle of Naseby in 1645, a defining moment in the English Civil War, the reservoir is now hosting conflicts of a very different kind as anglers grapple with the huge numbers of carp that have finally got their feeding heads on.
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced angler, this 93-acre reservoir will offer you the chance of some rod-bending action from early spring, with fish to 20lb-plus.
But how do you target them on such a vast expanse of water right now? Bailiff for 17 years, Harry Bosworth, was only too keen to reveal how to get a run…
“Once the water starts to warm the carp fishing is fantastic,” he said. “You can easily catch 30 or more fish in a day if you get it right. Two anglers last year managed 77 carp to 29lb 14oz in a 48-hour session. You’ll definitely be kept on your toes here!
“The key is to feed. To kick off your swim, use a Spomb to introduce half-a-kilo of pellets and a quarter-kilo of boilies, presenting your rigs over the top with 20mm hookbaits. With each cast be sure to nick on a PVA bag of pellets – this will help the carp locate your rig on the spot.
“It’s a huge reservoir when it’s full, so it’s not as if you’re fishing some small, shallow lake where there are certain to be fish in front of you. To give you your best chance of catching, you need to attract them into your swim, then present stand-out baits over the top, whether on the bottom or up in water with zig rigs – both can work.
“Try fishing an 18mm pop-up in either orange or yellow at a depth of around 8ft for a chance of catching. As for bait, the CC Moore Northern Special boilies and Mainline Cell boilies in 18mm and 20mm varieties have a proven track record at Naseby.”
During the warmer months the Bay and the Point swims are renowned hotspots. The carp can often be seen crashing on the surface in those areas, and they hold up there in good numbers.
The stock in Naseby is made up with carp of the Fishers Pond strain. They boast an impressive growth rate, so a 30lb-plus fish is a real possibility. That, backed up with an average catch size between 18lb and 22lb, assures
that you’re going to be one happy angler, no matter what you hook into next.
Although the fishing is allowed on a day ticket, season tickets are also available on the complex, which enables members to nightfish on a midweek basis – the membership cost is £300 per season.
So there we have it. If you’re after some hot carp action amid picturesque, wildlife-filled surroundings, then we suggest you put Naseby Reservoir high on your adventure list!
LOCATION: Carvells Lane, off Welford Road, Naseby, Northants, NN6 6JG CONTACT: 07904 493 417 PRICE: one rod £6, two rods £10, concessions £5 RULES: Unhooking mats essential, barbless hooks only, maximum two rods, no surface fishing, no nuts, monofilament mainline only. FACILITIES: Car parking, toilets WEBSITE: www.naseby-reservoir. org.uk