kevtaylor

I don't seem to see you mention whether your ditching the lead on the take or not - IMO the most obvious cause for loosing fish at the net.

Bought the Sunngas Alpine stove last year - was a little cheaper than the Trakker one, no complaints - used summer and winter no probs.

Do you mean Saddington Res, Leics? If so I've been thinking of trying to get on to do the odd midweek overnighter, nice and close to me. Don't think it has anything special in there now, but you never know - was stocked with simmos if I'm correct, hardly inspiring! You'll have to ask around local tackle shops coz I don't know who the contact is. Good luck

I did an overnighter on a free water just before the Nene Valley lakes - along the nightmare track, I only had bream but saw what I think was a big carp under my rod tips late at night. Is rumoured to contain a 40 ghostie - so my mate said at the time. Would like another go there TBH - felt exciting not knowing what if anything was in there. Used to fish the Ditchford lakes for pike 20+ years ago, loved those 2 lakes - very overgrown and wild.

You could be right but Nene Valley own a few others if what I'm told is right, the 2 Ditchford lakes that were previously on the Nene Valley AC Ticket - both very nice from memory - and another that was syndicate and could hold a few whackers. Seems Nene Valley has potential to me. Stanwick seems OK for a day ticket. I suggest these two venues because they seem OK and a good option for someone's first taste of the area. It can be difficult to get on the best waters.

Or simply tied on a weak link at the bottom end, also stops the lead getting too close to the fish during battle.

Charnwood Water is in Loughborough, some good fish! Not sure on availability of night tickets speak to the guys at Bennetts Tackle Shop who should know more and be abke to suggest others such as Willesley. Beedles is nice and cheap too - very reasonable!

No worries - plug away on the water your on - it's all good! Beedles is a nice lake, can be weedy - but good practice. Willesley has good numbers of 20's few 30's as far as I've heard. Look up Nene Valley Fisheries - seems an interesting up and coming complex - worth a look for sure also Stanwick Fishery has a few syndic lakes - 2 being not far from the M1

I could be wrong but a venue in Leicester with plenty of 20's and 30's will be pretty hard to find - in fact I can only think of one that matches that description 'Tommy Teds' which I know nothing about - just heard pricey and good number of 30's. Why not join a club or fish the day ticket waters this year while you research possible midlands syndicates - your possibly going to have to put your name down for a good while for a lot of syndi's anyway. I'm struggling with the plenty of 30's bit tbh - unrealistic! Good luck in your search Some of the better waters have been mentioned in past posts on here - so maybe start with a search. I'm getting a bit out of touch locally. Edit - stratch that previous part just re-read your post - 'maybe 30's' much more like it - certainly widens the possibilities Still - search old threads as a start.

You considered Bluebell Lakes, Tansor? Nice lakes

Seems a nice place from their website was looking a little while back. Was a little surprised that it was the same cost as a couple of other lakes of theirs with much bigger fish. Depends on what your after, 500 a year to fish for carp upto 20's doesn't compare to other waters. Could have an amazing stock in the future and the setting might be worth the cost alone, looks beautiful!

Heard theres been a fish of around 40lb from the Soar up town, dont know if it's true - dont see any reason why not though, always been plenty of carp around the weirs, used to watch them on my lunch breaks.

Ditto - good line, was the first line I bought specifically for carping. Bought some recently as it goes - that will be going in a centrepin. Turns green or red depending on the water if I remember right and I think it sinks OK too.

Why not try ringing the park rangers office, details are on the link below. http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/Leisure/countryside/Pages/FishingBCP.aspx I had a brilliant day float fishing for Tench years back, was a lovely lake from what little I remember. What sticks in my memory is falling and putting my hand in the biggest pile of dog poo whilst looking round the carp lake! Not happy days!!!

Fished it for a good few years, nice lake. Went back for a few day sessions over the x-mas break - enjoyed it Angler numbers last year were low aparently, up comes a bit of weed and they run away with their tail between their legs. Ring and speak to Tim the head groundsman/bailiff, nice fella- will put you straight, phone numbers are on the golfclub website.

Being from Leicester thats a real surprise fish! Bet the place will be busy now I suppose most Leicester carpers travel away to fish, funny to hear people talking about travelling to come here, never thought I'd see the day! Great fish though, looks like it could pack on more weight too

Your best off on Bluebell lake at this time of year and generally if your new to the complex anyway. Bluebell is the shallowest and therefore 1st to warm up. Good luck!

Bluebell is a lovely lake, I've often found them to follow a warm wind, always check the snags at both ends too especially near the Kingfisher bridge when they are cleaning themselves early spring. The grassy bank after the willows is generally a good area as is the causeway. Been a very long time since i've fished it though, but I dont expect its changed much. I do still fish the complex a couple of times a year so pass by Bluebell.

Enjoy it chaps - nice lake, it could do with more people on it.

I hadn't heard about that one! Safety in numbers I guess, except thats often what were hoping to avoid! TBH since leaving Leics for my fishing I dont feel anywhere near as safe when I do have the occasional local session. Theres a lot to be said for secure trouble free clubs and syndicates - lifes too short to be worrying when your trying to enjoy your time off work and catch a few. I'd probably look elsewhere if I'm completely honest - forget what I put previously!

I've seen a pic of a 40 from a few years back and went for a walk round soon after. Looks a nice place really so I say overlook the rumours about trouble and fish the place to see for yourself. Things are often exaggerated to put newcomers off!

Bluebell lakes has kicked off good style so far - I'd go now if I were you - dont wait till June! http://www.bluebell-lakes.co.uk/big_fish/big_fish_2011/big_fish_2011.html

Didn't Matt Hayes return to the monument and do well on maggots?

Broome angling club have a few carp waters - no whackers though as far as I'm aware. Jelsons angling club has 3 carp lakes in Syston and Frisby - with some good fish. Frisby pits - think thats Melton Angling Club - or Frisby cant remember. Theres a club known as 'the MAL' Leicester Amalgamation of Anglers - or something. Pretty sure they have waters in leicester, one or two near pitsford Northants and a stretch of the Nene. Charnwood Water can be a yearly ticket I think - speak to Bennets Mountsorrel. One or two of the lakes on Watermead are council run tickets (day or year). Theres the Sand Pit syndicate/Birstall Pits - lots of lakes off the A46. Theres Tommy Teds syndicate Loughborough outskirts - pricey but big fish. You should find info on all these on the web. There are more plus plenty of day ticket waters, pm me if you want or search through old threads - weve listed loads of waters a couple of years back - its all on this site somewhere. Where you tried so far - and what sort of place you looking for? Good luck!

I'd ring Tony before setting off - the lakes could all be frozen solid, they were at the beginning of the week. The Lakes are not quick to get started each year coz the depth keeps the lakes colder for longer. Whilst I have fished the odd winter night and early spring session, I wouldn't recommend going until May tbh! Good luck!