ENJOY THE SPACE...AND PLENTY OF BITES!
A reduction in the number of swims has ensured the skimmers, tench and carp feed well at this popular West Country fishery
SOME commercials can be guilty of cramming pegs in tightly to get more anglers on their lakes, but there are no such issues at Stafford Moor.
The Devon complex has undergone a major transformation in recent years and the management has gone in the opposite direction to many others, reducing the number of swims to improve the quality of sport for visitors.
The move has worked a treat, with the fish feeding more confidently thanks to the additional space created.
Woodpecker Lake is one of the waters that has benefited, with impressive weights of carp and silvers falling from its 20 swims.
It’s far from a one-trick pony, with a wide range of approaches sure to produce the goods.
A
HEAD TO THE POINTS Pegs 18 and 20 have a point of the island to focus on and the carp often visit these spots on mild days. Fishing the feeder a foot off it or the long pole towards it with pellets and meat works. Little-and-often is the best feeding strategy and re-casting every three to four minutes on the feeder will keep the bed of bait topped up and make some noise to draw the carp in.
D
TURN TO SILVERS
The lake isn’t all about carp, with lots of skimmers and tench stocked. Pole fishing with a light rig is the best bet, using a 4mm expander over a bed groundbait and micros. Fish between 11m and 13m out and expect fish to 3lb in 40lb-plus hauls. Don’t go overboard when feeding, as this can draw carp in and unsettle the silvers.
B
WINDY HOTSPOTS
If the wind is hacking into pegs 1 and 2, the area is bound to be full of carp - and some go to 15lb. Fish the long pole towards the far-bank vegetation or use a small feeder packed with micro pellets to produce the goods. Keep a regular trickle of bait going in to keep the fish concentrated over your rig, using a small cup when relying on the pole to get down a bed of 4mm pellets on the deck.
C
BAG ON THE WAG
The waggler is a highly effective approach, with hookbaits presented shallow and on the deck doing the business. Select a swim with a ripple and start fishing around 25m out. Keep a regular trickle of 6mm or 8mm pellets going into the swim. Start on the deck with a stand-out red pellet hookbait and shallow up a few inches if you’re missing bites. Repeat this process until you start nailing them.