Bumper predator catches put paid to single hook critics! - 05 10 2010


Bumper predator catches put paid to single hook critics!
The opening weekend of Bury Hill’s predator season saw over 200 pike and zander caught without one deep hook fish being reported. Heavy rain and coloured water conditions made for ideal zander conditions, with fish to 14lb dominating the weekends catches, although a good number of pike were also caught.
With many anglers reporting multi bags of up to 20 fish, the majority of fish caught weighed between 6lb to 8lb, although a number of doubles were reported including fish weighing 12lb 13oz, 13lb 5oz and 14lb 9oz. Despite conditions which clearly favoured the zander, a reasonable number of pike were also caught, averaging 10lb to 12lb, there was also a couple of upper doubles reported along with a cracking fish weighing 23lb 9oz.
Small baits were definitely the key to success with sea and freshwater baits both working equally well. With float and ledger rigs both taking their fair share of fish, all areas of the lake produced a few fish with the middle to end of both the front and long banks being particularly productive.
One angler who had a red-letter day was well known specimen angler Duncan Charman who managed 21 fish during his first predator trip of the new season. Fishing midway along the long bank, Duncan fished a size 8 hair rig with small sea baits to the open water catching 21 zander which included four eight’s, two nine’s and a stonking fish weighing 12lb 13oz which was new PB for Duncan. Duncan also caught three pike to double figures and three carp, the best a pretty common weighing 18lb 8oz, which fell to a mackerel kebab of all things.


Other anglers to do well were Kevin Hodges who braved the appalling first day conditions driving up from Dorset, who was rewarded with 3 zander to 9lb 8oz and a 14lb 8oz pike. Kevin fished peg 8 on the front bank catching on a variety of sea and freshwater baits which he fished on a running ledger to the open water.


Shane Chapman also had a very successful day in search of his first ever zander. Fishing peg 27, Shane float fished small sea baits catching four zeds, the best weighing 8lb 2oz and two pike, both around the 6lb mark.


Another angler to do well was Mike Hicks who managed three zander and three pike during his very busy short day session. Fishing deep-water peg 24, Mike fished a size 6 hair rig on a light running ledger with small junks of mackerel to attract zander to 8lb 1oz and pike to 13lb 8oz.


Other catches from the first few days can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.buryhillfisheries.co.uk/fishery/predator-season-kicks-off-with-over-100-pike-&-zan-571.html