THE BEST FISH YOU’VE LANDED THIS WEEK
“I HOOKED WHAT FELT LIKE A PASSING BOAT!”
“MY brother and I were last in the queue for the boats at Chew Valley Lake’s Woodford Lodge, as usual! “Eventually we got out on the water and headed to an area we’d caught fish from in the past. After four hours without a sniff, we moved to a shallower area, where I soon hooked what felt like a passing boat!
“I knew instantly that it was a large fish, as it made a series of dives for the anchor chain. Fortunately, I was able to avoid calamity, and my brother skilfully netted a pike that was just massive. Weighing 39lb, it’s a new personal best!”
Terry’s top tip: If you’re not catching, try targeting areas where there’s a change of depth. Pike often lurk in such spots.
“THE FIGHT WAS A BIT SCARY!”
“DURING A barbel fishing session on the River Loddon I had a memorable catch of chub, landing fish weighing 4lb 9oz, 6lb 8oz and this specimen of 8lb exactly.
“Although they weren’t my target species on the day, landing that eight-pounder was a real highlight in my angling career. To me, that fish is the equivalent of catching a 20lb barbel – it really is the fish of a lifetime.
“I was using a soft homemade paste hookbait and a centrepin reel spooled up with 8lb line.
“The fight from the largest chub was a little bit scary as it headed for the sanctuary of a sunken platform nearby.
“For a few nervous minutes, I feared it would make it into the snag and be lost, but thankfully my tackle held firm!”
“MY FIRST GRAYLING”
“ARMED with information that there were a few grayling hiding in a stretch of river not far from my house, I decided to try and catch my first one.
“An early trip was unsuccessful due to flooding, but my next session was much more productive. Things didn’t start too well. Strong winds and a few lost fish had me thinking my chances were gone. “But, after loosefeeding maggots every few minutes, I finally hooked a fish that fought for what felt like an eternity!
“I took it easy on my relatively light hooklink and played it upstream before finally landing my first ever grayling – this dark specimen of 2lb 7oz!”
Daryl’s top tip: Keep the bait going in regularly, even if you’re not catching. The fish can suddenly turn up out of nowhere!
“I ENJOY IT AS MUCH NOW AS I DID BACK THEN”
“WHILE fishing for livebaits recently I stumbled across some good gudgeon, so decided to return with more refined kit to try and land a specimen ‘gonk’!
“Armed with a shorter, softe
