THREE LAKES FOR THREE APPROACHES
THIS three-lake complex offers quality waters with different challenges for the visiting angler. The site is a favourite with regular reader Robin Piper.
The 37-peg Lake Eva is a superb match-style water where the right tactics can see anglers net 100lb bags of hard-fighting fish.
The lake is primarily stocked with a large head of carp in the 1lb-8lb bracket, although bonus bigger fish are certainly present. Accompanying the carp is a good stock of specimen-sized tench, chub, barbel, bream and some very big perch. The pole or waggler is a great method on this lake.
The snake lake known as Lake Sophie has 30 pegs and is the ideal place for pleasure fishing or those just starting
to get to grips with the sport.
There are a lot of carp in this lake which run to mid-double figures. If targeting them the margins are a brilliant place to put a bait.
Robin tells us that “most baits will work on this water for the carp but you can’t beat bread on the surface”. Similar to the other match-style water there are plenty of other species present too, including tench, chub, barbel, bream and perch.
If you’re someone who doesn’t mind waiting for a much larger fish then Lake Amy is the place for you. The feature-filled lake has a great stock of large carp reaching weights of nearly 40lb.
It’s worth spending some time investigating your swim on here as there are bars and deeper areas to be found.
Try keeping baiting to a minimum initially, and fish with small bags of pellet to entice a quick bite. LOCATION: Claygate, Marden, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 9PL CONTACT: 07770 513448 or visit www.newclaygatelakes.co.uk PRICES: Lake Eva and Sophie £8 per day, concessions £5, extra rod £2, Lake Amy £12 per day (two rods) RULES: No dogs (except guide dogs), barbless hooks only. Keepnets by arrangement only, no fixed leads FACILITIES: Toilets, disabled access, showers, hot food