Stalking around 7 lakes

Although the weather was looking pretty shocking, very wet, it was fairly warm with a nice warm wind, so I decided it would be a great day for a couple of hours stalking at 7 lakes angling, and a great opportunity to show my son how its done.

We left for the lakes around 2pm after my wife had returned from work. It was absolutely hammering down and I was questioning my sanity but he who dares wins, hopefully.

The sun had broke and the rain had stopped whilst we was walking around the lake looking for likely spots to drop a few doggies in. Once we had done a circuit and dropped the bait we walked the lakes again to spot feeding fish, we located a few fish on lake 5 so we got some gear, just a 10ft rod, small reel with a decent quick drag and 6lb line and a size 10 hook, net, mat and bait, simple.

We crept into positions on lake 5 and I under armed a bit of crust next to the feeding fish, it only took a few moments and it was fish on and after a spirited fight the little Common of about 3lb was in the net, and although only little was a stunning fish.

Next was my sons turn, a little way along the lake there was another pod of Carp so we crept into position and my son under armed the bread onto the Carp and within moments he had one on.

And must admit ii was very proud with how he played the fish away from the snags and once on the bank how he handled the fish, was a moment.

With a fish each and the rain now pouring we left and returned home.

7 Lakes is one of the best places to take kids an learn the sport or just for a day out whilst you fish, and as an added bonus under the age of 12 fish free with a paying adult.

Lakeside fishing

This month we decided to fish Lakeside fishery in Berkshire due to the slightly better weather we was hoping to rake in the Carp, but as usual things didn't quite go to plan.

I picked Steve up about 7:30am and we arrived just after 8am and luckily Kate the owner had just arrived and let us in.

We had a quick walk around the lake, knowing that it wont take long to get busy, on our last trip we fished in the canal section to the side of the lake and the left of the main bowl so this time decided on fishing behind the islands as thought they would hold groups of fish or intercept them as they swim round.

I decided to start by fishing the flat bed feeder towards the island with a couple of maggots and light ground bait, light tactics really for the size of fish in here but that's what I caught on last time so decided to start with that. After an hour or so with no bites and a chat with the bailiff decided to fish the bottom of the shelf with a solid PVA bag and 12mm tipped pellet on the hair, the second rod cast just to the left of some snags.

The sun was up and it was really hot and un-comfy at times, I had a tree next to me and was moving my chair constantly to try and keep in the shade as I'm not a fan of sitting in the sun for long periods of time.

Time was getting on and still no fish, I could see loads on the surface but on the other side of the island and well out of my swim, but I started firing dog biscuits my side of the island to try and bring them in.

I put a zig rig on the left hand rod and cast between the islands, after a few twitcy bites I had a run which promptly fell off. Then another bite which took me round the island and came off luckily all the rig came back and the fish was safe, after quite a while I had another screamer and this time after one hell of a fight and trying to keep it out of snags and the island the fish was on the mat, only about 6lb but that didn't matter. I think one of the most challenging days fishing for a long time, not because the water is a hard water or lack of fish by a long shot but the conditions where not easy and our swim choices where not the best for the conditions.

Soon after catching that fish and with one each we packed up had a quick chat to the bailiff and left, and although a very challenging day weather wise still a great day and will return for a better go at zig rigging in the more open water. And a big thanks to the owners and the bailiff for his advise.