UK ROUND-UP
NORTH SOUTHFIELD RESERVOIR, DONCASTER, SOUTH YORKS
Good bream catches are being made at this vast 88-acre venue on Doncaster DAA’s books.
What’s been out? A recent match saw double-figure nets of bream to 5lb but the 6ft-deep venue is famed for ton-up catches. Specimen roach and carp are also present.
Tactics to use: Use a feeder with fishmeal groundbait at 25m-50m range with worms, maggots or corn on the hook. Cast every 15 minutes if bites are not coming and make sure you clip up for accuracy.
Contact: 07946 382882
Postcode: DN14 9AD
NEW JUNCTION CANAL, DONCASTER, YORKS
Doncaster DAA has over four miles of fishing on the canal from Barnby Dun to where it meets the Aire and Calder Navigation.
What’s been out? Bream to 5lb and roach to 1lb-plus have shown at Barnby Dun, while Sykehouse Lock is a tench hotspot. Big carp patrol the stretch and chub can be found beneath overhanging foliage. Specimen perch are also present. Tactics to use: Pole, feeder, or waggler with maggots, casters and worms. Don’t stint on groundbait if you want to hold the bream. Contact: 07946 382882 Postcode: DN7 5JH
LOCKLANDS LAKE, LINCOLN, LINCS
Sport has been consistently good at this cracking one-acre 22-peg day ticket fishery.
What’s been out? Plenty of smaller carp have been showing, with 50lb-plus bags in matches. Silverfish have been a-bite-a-chuck for pleasure anglers.
Tactics to use: Soft pellet on the pole or leger rod. Switch to banded pellet/hard pellet or corn in the coming weeks. Maggots will take roach and skimmers all day long. Contact: 07515 469220
Postcode: LN1 2EL
MIDLANDS WESTON POOLS, OSWESTRY, SHROPSHIRE
The action has stepped up at this five-lake mixed species commercial after a winter of steady sport. What’s been out? Ton-up bags of mainly ide to 2lb and carp have been a feature. The barbel, which average 2lb-6lb, have switched on in the Canal, Jacks and Belvedere lakes. On Weir Pool a 99lb catch of mainly F1s was reported.
Tactics to use: Maggots and casters are deadly for ide. Banded pellets and corn also go down well. Contact: 01691 671812
Postcode: SY10 9ER
SWANGEY LAKES, ATTLEBOROUGH, NORFOLK
The cats are on the prowl again at this day-ticket commercial. What’s been out? A 45lb catfish was caught recently, while carp in the twenties have also been reported from across the venue. Tactics to use: For moggies to 80lb-plus use zig rigs, Peperami, luncheon meat and boilies. Head for the deeper water (10ft) on Main Lake, where 30lb-plus carp are also present. Use boilies for carp to 27lb on Small Lake. Double-figure bream and tench to 7lb are in both lakes. Contact: 07597 754462
Postcode: NR17 1XJ
DUDLEY NO 2 CANAL, HALESOWEN, W MIDLANDS
Good mixed species fishing is a feature of the action on Bull Fisheries’ 100-peg stretch of canal. What’s been out? Perch, roach, rudd and bream in double-figure nets for match and day-ticket anglers. The venue has good parking to benefit disabled anglers.
Tactics to use: Pole or rod with squatts, pinkies or breadpunch. The Bay is a bream and roach hotspot.
Contact: Norman Edwards, 07778 218363
Postcode: DY2 9QD
SOUTH BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON CANAL, TAUNTON, SOMERSET
The Greenway section near Maunsel Lock is in sparkling form according to Taunton AC sources.
What’s been out? Bags of quality 1lb-plus rudd have featured, along with the odd specimen perch. Tactics to use: Use pole or whip with breadpunch for silvers, breadflake for specimen rudd. Try chopped worm and caster for tench and perch, or drop shotting for perch to 4lb.
Contact: Taunton Angling Centre, 01823 282518
Postcode: TA7 ODH
EXETER SHIP CANAL, EXETER, DEVON
This Lime Kilns section of the canal, on Exeter DAA books is up to 13ft deep and over 50yds wide.
What’s been out? Tench and bream to 7lb, big perch and mixed bags of silvers. The occasional very big carp and pike have also been out. Tactics to use: Pole and feeder tactics, with groundbait, maggots and casters. The slider float also delivers results.
Contact: Exeter Angling Centre, 01392 436404
Postcode: EX2 7BY