THREE WATERS TO TRY FOR CARP OFF THE TOP
CHESTNUT POOL
Chestnut Pool in Bedfordshire may be only three acres, but within its little frame is a high stock of impressive carp, including fish approaching 30lb.
This means that you can create a feeding frenzy among the greedy carp which (excuse the pun) are suckers for a floater.
Firing in a mixture of 6mm and 11mm floaters dosed in oil should get them feeding, with a matching hookbait on a simple floater rig more than sufficient to hook one. Stalking with freelined bread can also be deadly, and was the downfall of the biggest fish in the lake in recent weeks. Location: Chestnut Pool, Church St, Biggleswade, SG18 9QT Contact: 01462 701865 Prices: £13 per day, £7.50 per evening, £25 for 24 hours
POOL BRIDGE FARM
The Carp Lake is perfect for pleasure anglers looking for sport with hard-fighting mirrors and commons – which can be tempted on the surface during the current heatwave.
Simplicity is all that’s needed here. Freelined breadflake or a single mixer is more than capable of scoring, if presented well in front of a cruising fish. A more traditional tactic of loosefeeding free offerings to get the fish competing can work wonders.
Those after a proper lump should book a session on the Q Lake, which boasts really beautiful specimens over the 30lb mark. Location: Wheldrake Lane, Crockey Hill, York, N Yorks, YO19 4SQ Contact: 07928 359420 Prices: £7 one rod, £8 two rods, concessions and evening tickets available, starting at £5. Q Lake prices start at £12 per day
CREEDY LAKES
This mature tree-lined lake is full of commons that love to feed off the top. On a warm day you’ll spot plenty of fish cruising just under the surface around the island and beneath the overhang.
If you are planning a floater trip at Creedy, bring plenty of bait. Once the fish here get going they will devour 4kg of dog biscuits in no time. A simple bubble float presentation is all that’s needed to get the take, but don’t fish too light. These torpedo-shaped commons bolt off once hooked and put up a proper scrap.
The fish average 15lb-18lb, but there are large numbers of twenties. A hotspot for surface fishing is the farthest end of the lake, where the water is shallower and there’s lots of open water. Location: Creedy Manor, Crediton, Devon, EX17 4AB Contact: 01363 772684 Price: £12 (up to two rods) or £18 for three rods, evening (after 5pm) £6 (up to two rods) or £9 for three rods