UK ROUND-UP
NORTH STARCARR LAKES, BRANDESBURTON, E YORKS
For a bumper bag of bream, check out the hidden depths of the Pit. What’s been out? Owner Shane Turrell had 96 bream to 5lb over seven sessions on the Pit – a twoand-a-half acre lake. Action should hot up as the weather warms, and specimen tench up to 7lb can show. Tactics to use: Try a 28g Hybrid feeder loaded with 2mm pellets. Hair-rig a wafter or hard pellet. Head for pegs 12-23 and cast to the 20ft-plus deep water in the middle. Pole tactics and rod and waggler with maggot/caster or corn work well for mixed bags on Clay Pool. Contact: 07912 677302
Postcode: YO25 8RU
HALLCROFT FISHERY, RETFORD, NOTTS
Silverfish action continued unabated over the mild winter months and is now stepping up a gear.
What’s been out? The Angling Trust Silverfish final on Moat Pool was won with a 50lb bag of skimmers. Tactics to use: Pole and pellet at 11m-13m is a top approach. Method feeder cast to the far bank with a wafter also scores well. On the Reed pleasure lake use pole and pellet. Contact: 01777 719911
Postcode: DD22 7RA
AIRE AND CALDER NAVIGATION, GT HECK, YORKS
Mixed species fishing is the hallmark of this day-ticket canal stretch near Selby, on Mirfield AC’s books. What’s been out? Double-figure roach and bream bags. Specimen perch to 2lb-plus.
Tactics to use: Pole fish with chopped worm and caster. Contact: Mirfield AC, 07799642013 Postcode: DN14 OBQ
MIDLANDS SKILTS POOL, REDDITCH, WORCESTERSHIRE
This small, secluded pool is the perfect place to head to for a few bites now temperatures are rising. What’s been out? The good head of carp are starting to wake up, and you have the chance of bagging a double-figure specimen. In addition, there’s a cracking head of mixed silvers to go at.
Tactics to use: The pole is worth trying for a mixed bag, and fishing chopped worm and caster can single out some of the better fish. Meat is also worth a try, on both the pole and bomb. Feed a few loose offerings and cast over the top. Contact: Aaron Newitt, membership secretary, 07934 777791
Price: £65 membership, Astwood Bank AC, apply on: www. astwoodbankac.co.uk/membership
WALSALL CANAL, TIPTON, WEST MIDLANDS
The Great Bridge to Moxley stretch on Sportsman AC’s books offers over two miles of day-ticket fishing. What’s been out? Bags to 50lb of bream are in prospect once a shoal is located, with individual fish to 5lb. Decent roach, tench and perch are present along the stretch.
Tactics to use: A pole approach is best with breadpunch, pinkies, maggots and worm on the hook. Contact: Phil’s Tackle 0121 5308148 Postcode: DY4 OET
REEPHAM FISHERY, NORFOLK
The action is hotting up for carp and silvers at this spring-fed commercial. What’s been out? On Bungalow Lake double-figure mixed bags of carp, F1s and skimmers are being taken. A recent match was won with 74lb. On Main Lake weights of carp and F1s topped 80lb.
Tactics to use: The pole is popular. Fish can be taken high in the water. Catapult 4mm pellets and use banded pellet or maggot on the hook. On Main Lake feed 4mm pellets and fish banded 6mm pellets on the deck. Use groundbait and maggots for fish down the edge. Contact: 01603 870829
Postcode: NR10 4NR
SOUTH GLOUCESTER CANAL, GLOUCESTER
Netherbridge Bend is a bream hotspot, just outside Gloucester city centre on the 16-mile-long canal. It can be fished on a day ticket purchased from a bailiff on the bank. What’s been out? Bags of bream, with individual fish around 5lb, are common. Record-nudging zander to 20lb have been captured by predator anglers here.
Tactics to use: Use a feeder with fishmeal groundbait and worm or double dead red maggot on the hook. Fish the pole at 5m-10m. Leger or pop up deads for zander. Contact: Gloucester Angling Centre 01452 520074
Postcode: GL1 5SA
WHITE SPRINGS, SWANSEA, SOUTH WALES
The Welsh complex has been delivering the goods for match, pleasure and specimen anglers. What’s been out? On the Match Lake a recent winning weight neared the ton while 64lb succeeded on the new canal. Good carp have been showing steadily on the Specimen Lake, with several twenties and a 32lb 4oz mirror reported recently. On the Pleasure Lake silverfish bags around 50lb have been taken, while double-figure carp have shown on the Pit, where Lee Gibson had three perch including fish of 2lb and 3lb. Tactics to use: On Specimen Lake floatfish the margins or cast a feeder to the islands. All methods work on Pleasure Lake. Popular baits include pellets, boilies, corn, luncheon meat, maggots, worms and bread. Contact: 01792 885699
Postcode: SA4 8QG