17/07/11

This water is absolutely massive! Covering nearly 20 acres in size, but more importantly there are only 62 marked out pegs. At one end of the water there is massive growth of reeds, which mark the start of the nature reserve and a no fishing rule. The water has some good depths with places dropping down to beyond 15ft. These deeper holes are the better places to target the large pike that run up to 32 lb when the weather drops colder. The average depth is between 5 and 10 ft throughout. The water is an old clay pit and as a result carries colour at all times of the year, which can assist with fishing during the winter months.

During the colder months the preferred tactic tends to be the feeder crammed with brown crumb and single or double maggot. This tactic will take the good head of bream that run to 10lb. There are also some very decent perch that pull the scales round to 4lb. Both roach and rudd have been caught to 2lb. Variety is really the buzzword here with barbel to 11lb, and tench to 9lb. There are also big carp approaching 35lb. As boilies are not allowed, the best tactic to target the larger specimens tends to be the big particle baits or large lumps of meat.

It is a good water with plenty of fish, but it is large. If you can get a local to give you the best places then follow their advice.

Comment added:
Very much a new kid at this piking lark but Andy the bailiff very helpful, regular anglers are a friendly enough bunch as well.