This weeks latest catches week ending 3/12/07

• Big Zander despite chilly weather

• 9lb fish on a lure and estimated double from the back of the island

• Mild spell should provide a welcome window of opportunity for carp and bream

THIS WEEK’S FISHING! (In brief)

We’ve just had a chilly week after the balmy temperatures of the week before, which has meant challenging conditions, particularly for carp and bream anglers, though predators rods still managed a few fish.
The first sub-zero overnight temperatures in late autumn always hit the fish hard and make them lose their appetite temporarily, and last week there were even a few snow flurries to cool things further.
But milder weather has returned, following Sunday’s super moon, with temperatures double the 4 or 5 degrees that we had before the weekend, and the few days of near-double-figure values will provide fish with a welcome opportunity to feed before a return to more normal December temperatures going into the coming weekend.
It’s a good opportunity to get some action before the next cool spell, with carp and bream especially, though the zander seem willing to feed in even the chilly weather.
Peter Kerekes, from Newhaven, landed an unweighed fish that looks close to double figure, on a recent visit, and Octavian Groza sent in pictures of his 9 lb zander, which was part of a three-fish catch on a lure.
We’ve entered another ‘balmy’ spell of weather that promises 12 degrees C on Thursday and 10 on Wednesday, which will be a welcome feeding opportunity for all species after last week’s chill. And from Thursday night onwards the cold is set to return, so if the fish can tell it’s coming they could well be making the most of the higher values before the cold takes the edge off their appetite. The super moon on Sunday is bringing the change from frosty to mild, Monday and Tuesday looking likely to give 8 degrees, with 5 at night, Wednesday into Thursday expected to be the warmest night, at 7 degrees. But Thursday into Friday looks to be 1 degree, followed by minus values for the two night following that, and 4 degrees by day. Winds look set to start as moderate north-westerlies, becoming westerlies on Tuesday and south-westerlies on Wednesday, strengthening that evening, easing back again on Thursday evening and becoming more westerly. There is little rain in the forecast apart from on Thursday, when showers are likely through the day, some of them heavy, the cloud and rain providing the mild temperatures and a generally very fishy feel to the weather, before sunshine accompanies the change to chilly days and nights the following day, as the cloud cover drifts away. And this chilly spell could last for quite a few days, from Friday into the week after, with perhaps no more than 2 degrees by day and minus values every night, though with lots of sunshine.

FOR ALL THE VERY LATEST CATCHES AS THEY HAPPEN, CHECK-OUT THE BURY HILL FISHERIES FACEBOOK PAGE AT www.facebook.com/BuryHillFisheries

• The predator fishing season began on October 1 and continues until March 14.

• Anyone who fancies being part of the night syndicate of anglers who are allowed to fish Temple and the Old Lake after dark for a £50 joining fee will be interested to hear that there are places available. To apply, get in touch with the office on 01306 883621.

• Anglers are reminded that fishing on Temple and night fishing on the Old Lake is available exclusively to members of the Bury Hill Specimen Carp Club. Membership cards must be carried at all times when on the fishery, and be available to bailiffs when they carry out checks prior to the evening lock-up.

OLD BURY HILL LAKE – GENERAL & BOAT FISHING

Zander anglers are enjoying the best of the action at present, and some sizeable fish have been caught recently.
Peter Kerekes, from Newhaven, has been enjoying his predator sessions, and his latest visit produced the fish pictured below, which looks to be around double figures.

Octavian Groza, from Redhill, landed a 9 lb zander the week before, pictured below, on a Savage Gear white 6.8 cm Cannibal Shad, along with two smaller fish.

Both lures and fish sections have worked well this season, especially when a light leger has been used when bait fishing, and the lightest of indicators, to reduce the resistance to taking fish.
Anglers have reported lots of takes, which provides plenty of practice at hitting them, even employing a quivertip to spot gentle bites and striking before the fish has had a chance to drop the bait.
The middle of the long bank has been particularly successful so far in the ten weeks of the season, and moving swims until fish are found has been an element in a lot of anglers’ success.
Often there is no action in one swim, but lots of action in another, suggesting that fish are grouped together in certain areas and will give their location away soon after you drop on them.

TEMPLE LAKE – CARP

A slower week for reported catches on Temple, but as fish become accustomed to the cooler temperatures they should start falling to anglers’ baits, in particular to bright pop-ups with a high leakage rate or bottom baits tipped with buoyant yellow or pink artificial corn.

• For more Bury Hill catches, follow us on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/BuryHillTempleLake

There are still a few places for anglers wanting to fish for specimen carp on members-only lake Temple. For more details, go to the Temple Lake page on this website:
https://www.buryhillfisheries.co.uk/lakes/temple-lake-7.html

PLEASE NOTE: LEAD CORE IS BANNED ON BOTH TEMPLE AND THE OLD LAKE. PLEASE SEE KEN IN THE SHOP FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

BONDS LAKE

Bonds regularly produces multiple catches of carp to double figures on a variety of methods, from pole to feeder and straight lead to waggler.

MILTON LAKE

Milton Lake is the place to try for a catch of prime roach, using a waggler on a running line or pole just a short distance out, close to the pads, where they can be lined up with a little-and-often loosefeeding approach. And in the mild spells there are crucians, tench and bream to be caught, along with occasional carp.