Chance to bag record roach

ALMOST 80,000 youngsters tried fishing last year as recruitment into the sport soared.

According to figures from the Environment Agency, there was a hike of 53 per cent in junior licences.

Kevin Austin, head of fisheries at the EA, said: “Children have a wealth of technology at their fingertips and it is easy to see why fewer young people seem to be enjoying outdoor activities, which makes these latest figures so pleasing. Today’s children are the anglers of tomorrow.” CANALS are often tipped to produce surprise big fish and Bobby Gabriel proved the potential of the waterways when he bagged a 35lb carp.

The impressive mirror was tempted from the Royal Military Canal, in Hythe, Kent.

After prebaiting the swim for a couple of weeks to attract the fish, Bobby lured the fish with a 15mm CC

Moore boilie during a short evening session. The tope have started to feed around the coast as Mark Fox

(pictured) discovered on a trip out of Brancaster, in Norfolk. The Peterborough rod lured this 32lb-er after it took his legered mackerel. ANGLERS are being given the chance to target a record roach on one of the country’s most exclusive venues. Homersfield Lake, in Norfolk, is legendary for monster fish but until now only those holding an elusive syndicate ticket could cast a line. That’s set to change after top specimen angler Phil Spinks was given the green light to offer tuition and guiding on the complex for the lake’s giant roach.

For more details go to www.homersfieldlake.com THREE more top matchmen have made it through to next month’s Sky Sports-televised Fish ‘O’ Mania final at Hayfield Lakes, Doncaster. Scott Gollings, Adam Major and Adam Richards have booked their berth.