STILLWATERS
ALVECHURCH FISHERIES, BIRMINGHAM, WEST MIDLANDS
The Canal Lake has been producing brilliant mixed bags of over 100lb. Recent matches have been won with weights reaching 197lb, with eleven 100lb bags landed in two of them. Fishing across the far side of this narrow lake with the pole will see you connect with ide, barbel and carp. A shallow presentation with maggots will score for the ide, some of which are over the 2lb mark. Pellets will tempt plenty of the carp, which range between 2lb and 6lb.
Contact: 0121 445 4274
Postcode: B45 8BW
ASTWOOD FISHERY, BROMSGROVE, WORCESTERSHIRE
All three pools are in good form currently. A variety of species are on offer with 80lb-90lb mixed bags a real possibility. Use simple tactics such as a short pole line, waggler or cage feeder. Maggots and corn will catch most fish, but don’t ignore breadpunch for the carp. The bigger carp reside in Bluebell Lakes and are pushing 30lb. Smokey Joe’s Pool is the place for the silvers, with plenty of barbel and chub present. Some big perch are also to be found in these waters, with fish having reached 4lb 10oz in the past. Contact: 07773 347072 Postcode: B60 4BB
COPPICE LANE FISHERY, WALSALL, WEST MIDLANDS
A true mixed fishery with something to offer for all coarse anglers. The fish in Becketts and Bridge Pools have been showing well in matches. Mixed bags of up to 80lb featuring carp, crucians, skimmers and tench have been caught fishing with pellets or paste on the pole. The Willow Pool, which re-opened recently, is also good for a variety of species including ide, barbel , tench , bream and carp ranging from 2lb to 4lb.
Contact: 0121 351 5198
Postcode: WS7 0JY
MONKHALL FISHERY, BRIDGNORTH, SHROPSHIRE
Bites have been plentiful on Hawk Lake, with a recent pool record of 218lb set from peg 14. Carp to 4lb along with F1s can be caught fishing with pellets or casters
shallow. Fishing the Method feeder to the islands can also generate some big nets of carp. Good results have been had by anglers fishing on Owl Pool, with pellets or worms down the margin producing bites from F1s and ide to 2lb. Swallow Pool can be really productive for those targeting silvers, with the pool record catch of 237lb 5oz set this month. This bumper catch consisted of mainly F1s and chub to 3lb.
Contact: 01746 785481
Postcode: WV16 6XF
RICHMOND LAKES, NORTH HYKEHAM, LINCOLNSHIRE
If you are an experienced carp angler after some consistent sport from specimen fish, both lakes on this complex will suit you. The Back Lake has been fishing really well with multiple hits of 20lb-plus fish. The fish are getting through lots of bait, with some anglers using up to 5kg within 48 hours. Use white or yellow pop-ups on Ronnie rigs with heli safe or lead clip set-ups.
Contact: 07818 800300 Postcode: LN6 8QY
SHERWOOD FOREST FISHERY, MANSFIELD, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Holmedale lake is giving quality sport for pleasure and match anglers targeting carp. Match weights have been consistently over 100lb with a recent winning 134lb 3oz from peg 19. A 6mm banded pellet with 4mm pellets fed little and often over the top has brought lots of bites. The margins are also prolific, with fish in the 3lb-6lb bracket falling to dead maggots or worm fished over hemp and groundbait.
Contact: 07721 316334
Postcode: NG21 9HL