UK ROUND-UP
NORTH LINDHOLME LAKES, DONCASTER, SOUTH YORKS
Anglers have been bagging up on the 165-acre, 10-lake complex. What’s been out? Beeches Lake has received a new stocking of tench and ide. The latter, weighing up to 1lb apiece, have been a fish-a-chuck, with 50lb bags of F1s, carp and ide common. On Loco Lake hauls of up to 100lb have been dominated by F1s and carp. A surprise 24lb pike was caught here on a yellow wafter! Tactic to use: Try leger tactics with a bomb or small feeder and yellow wafters or breadpunch. Cast around to find the fish.
Contact: 01427 875555
Postcode: DN9 1LF
CALDER AND HEBBLE NAVIGATION, BRIGHOUSE, WEST YORKS
The Red Beck section just outside Brighouse has been satisfying canal anglers all winter long.
What’s been out? Double-figure roach nets have been coming out, with some specimens around 1lb. The action on the Brighouse AA stretch has come thick and fast. Tactics to use: Pole or whip or rod and waggler. Maggot and caster score well but breadpunch is still the top hookbait.
Contact: Calder Angling Supplies, 01484 711063
Postcode: HD6 3DW
MIDLANDS BLICKLING LAKE, AYLSHAM, NORFOLK
This majestic 20-acre estate lake, run by the National Trust, is producing quality mixed nets. What’s been out? Tench, averaging 5lb, have been encouraged to make a reappearance in the mild winter conditions. Bream have been showing consistently while pike to 35lb have been taken from the dam wall and platforms.
Tactics to use: Feeder fishing at range with groundbait, maggots, worms, and sweetcorn. Use deadbaits or try spinning for the pike –no livebaiting is allowed. Contact: 01263 738063
Postcode: NR11 6NF
BODDINGTON RESERVOIR, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Chocolate-coloured water and high water levels have not put a damper on sport at the 65-acre venue. What’s been out? Big bags of carp, including a 200lb match-winning haul. Pike to 35lb have also shown. Tactics to use: For bagging action try long-distance Method feeder tactics with pellets and wafters, and cast 40-100 yards. Head for pegs 69-105. Use deadbaits for the pike. Contact: 07740534891
Postcode: NN11 6UD
EASTFIELD FARM, HORNCASTLE, LINCOLNSHIRE
Carp and silverfish are producing plenty of rod-bending action at the three-lake venue.
What’s been out? Lots of doublefigure carp in nets to 80lb have been taken from Mink Lake, while mixed bags of silvers to 50lb have been the norm on Otter.
Tactics to use: Fish have been feeding in the top two feet of water, so pole or rod and waggler, with maggots or breadpunch, have proved deadly.
Contact: 07553 551081
Postcode: LN9 5NP
SOUTH ORCHARD PLACE FARM LAKES, KENT
Anglers have had plenty to smile about in a red-hot winter on the nine-lake complex.
What’s been out? Voracious F1s have dominated match catches, which have been won with 150lb bags – ton-up hauls are common. Several 30lb-plus carp have come from the specimen lakes, topped by
a 42lb mirror from lake seven. The odd catfish to 50lb has shown too. Tactics to use: Pole tactics with pellets and maggots. For specimen carp try maggot clips and good quality boilies. Location is key. Contact: 01892 838576 Postcode: TN12 6NY
GOLD VALLEY LAKES, ALDERSHOT, HANTS
Three-figure bags have been a feature of some hectic match action. What’s been out? F1s have dominated ton-up catches on the Middle Lake while bigger carp, including one of 28lb, have featured in Gold Lake returns.
Tactics to use: Method Feeder, boilies and pellets for the bigger carp. On Middle Lake F1s are coming to the pole. Loosefeed maggots, and use red maggots on the hook. Contact: 01252 336333
Postcode: GU11 2PT
MILL FARM FISHERY, PULBOROUGH, SUSSEX
Decent mixed bags are being taken at this three-lake commercial. What’s been out? Smaller carp and silvers have dominated doublefigure catches on the Mill Pond but bigger carp have shown on the Specimen Lake, where 30-pounders are the top target.
Tactics to use: Pellet and waggler consistently scores well. Robin Red pellets are popular.
Contact: 01798 874853
Postcode: RH20 1NL