PREDATOR RULES RULES

PREDATOR RULES to be read in conjunction with the Fishery Rules. Predator fishing is only allowed between October 1st to March 14th.

Only experienced anglers may fish for pike and zander - anyone who has not fished for pike and zander before, or who is under the age of 16 and wants to fish for pike or zander without an adult, must first attend one of our ‘Big Fish Predator Courses’. View our Big Fish Courses and Big Fish Course dates.

1. Juniors must be accompanied by an adult (who must be experienced predator anglers) at all times
2. Live bait and freshly killed dead baits are banned and must not be brought onto the fishery - anyone found bringing live bait onto the fishery will be prosecuted for illegal fish movements and banned for life
3. Do not bring sacks onto the fishery - all fish must be returned to the water immediately after capture
4. You must be in possession of suitable tackle, i.e. carp or pike rods - the use of sea tackle is not permitted
5. You must have the correct unhooking equipment - a large landing net (minimum 36” or larger) and large unhooking mat (minimum 36” or larger preferably with a 2” thick bottom and sides) and long forceps - we do not allow gags to be used
6. Lines must be a minimum of 12lb BS - braided lines may be used provided that you have a minimum of 1m of nylon between the braid and hook link
7. You must use a recognized wire trace system
8. Treble hooks for bait fishing are banned - all hooks must be barbless single hooks, not larger than size 4 - barbed hooks must be completely flattened
9. Only 1 or 2 hook rigs are allowed; when using double hook rigs, the hooks should not be more than 3” apart and no larger than size 4
10. All spinners and plugs must be fully barbless with hooks no larger than size 2 - all barbs must be fully flattened, double hooks must be less than 3” apart
11. Our fishery operates an immediate strike rule - delay in striking will only guarantee you a deep hooked fish
12. If a fish is deep hooked - hold the fish in the water in a landing net and seek the help of a bailiff - do not prod about as this will kill the fish!
13. Never weigh or lift a fish by the gills , use a net or weigh sling
14. When moving fish to and from the water, use a landing net or zipped unhooking mat at all times; never carry the fish unsupported even for short distances
15. When photographing fish, support the fish over a large unhooking mat, kneel and never stand up with the fish
16. When returning fish after capture, please support the fish in the water giving it plenty of time to recover before releasing
17. We permit predator fly fishing techniques from boats only, provided that anglers use a wire trace and use only single barbless hooks no larger than size 4

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