Old Lake Latest Catches week ending 30/9/18

Wet and windy weather for the annual charity competition didn’t deter competitors, who raised an impressive £1,100 for Children with Cancer.
Strong north-easterly winds made presenting baits difficult on the Front Bank, but anglers who were sheltered behind the island in the high-number pegs fared much better.
Dave Johnson and John Swann both landed 57 lb 9 oz of bream to share the honours on the day, while 30 lb was needed to do well on the Front Bank.
October 1 is the official start of the predator season, when anglers can fish for pike and zander using single-hook rigs and lures.
The first couple of weeks are usually marked by a flurry of impressive catches on a variety of small fish baits, before things settles into a pattern of trying to outwit fish using resistance-free running rigs and even quivertips or floats to hit shy bites.
Small sections of sardines and roach are among the favourite offerings, and overcast days or the fading light when it has been sunny are the best times for action.
Moving swims is always wise if action is slow, because the fish can be gathered in certain areas, and action can be had as soon as you drop on them.
And the rewards are there for those who persevere and experiment, learning from every visit. Last season, which ended in March, David Pocock landed over 100 zander in the five-and-a-half months that it was open, while Mike Holcombe landed over 50 from January 1.
Last season’s biggest reported zed came right at the end, when an 11 lb 2 oz fish fell to Steve Smith, from Cheam, but the first fortnight produced fish to 10 lb 8 oz, to Ed Spring, who had an 8 lb 1 oz on the same visit, and catches of 12 fish in a session were also achieved.