Bailiff Comments

Week Commencing: Sat 13/09/2025

4 REEDS!

This week we saw the annual Tom Doves mates trip, and after last year landing a total of 76 fish, this year they had their sites on a 100 fish week. They didn’t quiet get there but my god they were close, a total of 92 fish with 8 loses, A mega performance by the lads! Read on for more detail. 

This week we were delighted to welcome Darrell Peck back out to the Main Lake, and as always, he put on a fantastic display of angling. Setting up in the Stink swim, Darrell got to work straight away and his effort was soon rewarded with a brilliant run of captures. By the end of the week, he had landed a total of twelve fish, topped by the biggest of the week “Chunky” at a massive 72lb. Darrell fished at long range throughout his stay, consistently hitting 33 wraps and placing his rigs just off the left-hand side of Baxter’s swim. He kept the bait going in steadily, introducing around 10kg of boilie and hemp per day, which kept the fish feeding confidently over his area. His choice of rig was the reliable multi-combi, paired with a match-the-hatch snowman wafter that proved irresistible time and time again.Alongside Chunky, Darrell also got his hands on some of the lake’s well-known residents. Notable captures included Chop Dorsal at 53lb, Equalled at 47lb 12oz, and The Runt at 39lb, all of which added to an already memorable session.It was another great week for Darrell on Gigantica, and once again he showed why he is regarded as one of the very best at what he does. A fantastic result from the Stink swim, and a week that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

This week Tom Dove took top rod honours from Bobs Beach with a superb tally of 18 fish. His standout capture was The Vicar at 66lb 4oz, the second biggest fish of the week, which capped off an already memorable session. A Couple of other great captures was Two Scale at 51lb 4oz and Matrix at 42lb 8oz. Tom began the week fishing at 30 wraps, but after catching a great run of the smaller stockies, he adjusted his approach and came back to 18 wraps in the hope of a few bigger ones, both 30 and 18 was aiming straight at Alamo and it was the 18 wrap area that got him the bigger fish. His baiting strategy was consistent throughout, introducing a full 17-litre bucket of boilie and hemp daily, with additional bait applied after each capture to maintain feeding activity. On the rig front, Tom relied on the ever-faithful spinner presentation, tied at 9 inches, with a match-the-hatch wafter hookbait doing the damage. The combination of precise rig mechanics, consistent feeding, and accurate casting ensured regular action throughout the week and ultimately secured him the top spot.

Kev Atkinson had his sights firmly set on Gigantica and, like many before him, he buzzing when he got to write his name in Co’s Point. With the sun rising across the lake and the air buzzing with anticipation, he got to work on his chosen tactics – a steady stream of hemp and boilie introduced with precision. Kev’s main attack was two rod’s clipped up at 30 wraps, sent towards the Tits. Confidence was high, though he also hedged his bets with a second spot at 18 wraps towards the Flat Oak. That shorter line, however, remained stubbornly quiet throughout the week. The 30-wrap zone, though, turned out to be the place to be. Over the course of the session Kev managed to land eight fish in total, each one hard-earned and adding to the buzz of being on such hallowed ground. Amongst the highlights was a real Gigantica character, The Cheese at a massive 52lb – a fish that every angler dreams of encountering. To back that up, Kev also found himself cradling a stunning 43lb “bobbins dancing” and a beautiful common of 47lb 12oz. Each take sent the adrenaline pumping, the alarms singing and the bobbins bouncing, cementing the week as one to remember. Though the Flat Oak spot refused to give up a bite, Co’s Point once again proved why it’s so revered. For Kev, it wasn’t just about the weight of the fish, but the atmosphere of the venue, the buzz of being with the lads, and finally slipping the net under those colossal carp. A proper Gigantica session, crowned with a slice of Cheese at 52lb.

Neil Spooner settled himself into the famous Oblivion swim, a spot that’s produced countless memories over the years, and one that has been in form of late. His approach was well thought out and precise, with two rods placed to the right of Alcatraz at 31 wraps, and a third rod to the left of the pole at 27 wraps.The baiting strategy was simple but effective: a mixture of Mainline Hybrid boilies combined with the exciting new Nut test bait, spomed to draw the fish in steadily. On the business end, Neil fished a match-the-hatch wafter topped with a bright orange topper, a combination that clearly did the trick. The session unfolded beautifully, and Neil soon found himself in the thick of the action. Bite after bite, the fish kept coming, until the tally stood at an impressive 11 carp in total. Amongst them was the undeniable highlight of the trip – a stunning mirror known as Apple Slices, tipping the scales at 47lb 8oz. A fish to remember, and one that perfectly capped off the session. Adding to the atmosphere, Neil was kept entertained throughout by none other than Scott Dove, who was set up next door in Big Girls. Between a steady flow of tea, coffee, and the inevitable odd beer, the pair enjoyed plenty of laughs while the rods did the talking. All in all, it was a memorable session – great company, a fantastic hit of fish, and a truly special Gigantica forty to crown it.

Beefy arrived at Gigantica and found himself settling into the famous Pole Position swim — a peg that has written countless chapters in the venue’s history and has also had great form in recent weeks. With conditions looking spot-on, he wasted no time putting his plan into action. Two rods were sent long, clipped up at 31 wraps towards Stink, while a third was fished shorter at 19 wraps, tight to the line of the Scary Tree. It proved to be the perfect combination. A careful mix of boilie and hemp kept the carp visiting regularly, and Beefy’s chosen tactic — a neat match-the-hatch wafter mounted on a spinner rig — was presented with pinpoint accuracy. The bites came steadily, and before long, the buzzers were rarely silent. Over the course of the week, Beefy banked an impressive 12 carp, but the real magic came in one unforgettable spell of mayhem. In a crazy burst of action, he ended up with four fish resting in nets and slings all at once, waiting patiently for their turn in front of the camera. Topping the haul was a true Gigantica gem — the mighty Only Cans, weighing in at a superb 47lb 4oz. It was the icing on the cake of a session that will live long in Beefy’s memory, and another chapter etched into Pole Position’s rich legacy.

After the incredible high of last year’s session, where Warren Dolan—better known on the bank as Woz—landed the mighty Immaculate at an astonishing 98lb, this trip to Gigantica was always going to carry a different tone. Rather than chasing another giant with relentless drive, Woz came out with a more relaxed, social mindset, ready to enjoy the venue, the company, and whatever came along. Settling himself into the famous Alamo swim, Woz decided on a simple yet effective approach. All three rods were clipped up tight and punched towards the left-hand side of Bob’s Beach, fishing precisely at 30 wraps. It was an area that felt Perfect, and Woz stuck to his guns throughout the session.His feeding strategy was one of confidence and consistency—applying boilies and hemp in volume, creating a carpet of attraction that would keep the fish grubbing around for hours on end. On the business end, Woz kept it straightforward: a match-the-hatch wafter mounted on a spinner rig, a proven tactic that gave him the perfect balance of presentation and reliability. The decision paid off handsomely. Over the course of the trip, Woz put a respectable six carp on the bank, topped by none other than Sammy at 46lb 8oz. Though nothing this year could eclipse the memory of last year’s colossal capture, Woz’s session at Gigantica was a success in its own right. A handful of cracking fish, great company, and the reward of seeing Sammy roll into the net proved that sometimes a laid-back, social approach can be just as satisfying.

Jake Wildbore returned once again to Gigantica, settling himself into the legendary Alcatraz swim. Having fished the annual social year after year, Jake is known for always pulling something special out of the bag. But this trip was destined to be a little different. From the very start, it seemed like nothing was going his way. A couple of crack-offs, a blown-up spod rod, and fish burying themselves deep in the weed left him wondering if this was going to be one of those trips. Still, Jake isn’t one to fold under pressure. He began by fishing in the weed, but after losing an early chance, he changed tactics. All three rods were recast towards the Scary Tree at 30 wraps, a precision spot that would eventually turn his fortune around. With a consistent feed of 17 litres of boilie and hemp a day, the area soon came alive with activity. The winning setup was a match-the-hatch wafter presented on a spinner rig, a deadly combination that had the fish tripping up despite the tricky conditions. After all the setbacks, Jake still managed to battle his way into the action, landing a number of carp, including a stunning 40lb 4oz mirror, the biggest of his session. Proof that even when things don’t go to plan, persistence pays off. Another memorable Gigantica trip for Jake — not the smoothest journey, but one that showed his determination and angling skill once again.

Patrick Goodwin settled himself into the Stock Pond swim, with a clear game plan in mind. Setting up with two rods cast at 18 wraps towards Oblivion and another positioned towards the Pipes at 19 wraps, he began working the area with a steady mix of boilies and hemp. His choice of rig was a simple but deadly one – a match-the-hatch wafter on a spinner rig, presented perfectly over the baited spot. The action soon followed, and Patrick enjoyed a fantastic session, landing a total of six fish. The highlight of the trip came in the form of a stunning mirror that tipped the scales at 37lb 8oz, a new personal best for him at Gigantica. Among the captures was also a special moment – Patrick managed to catch one of the new stockies. As part of tradition, he was given the honour of naming the fish, and he chose to call it “Mandy”, after a dear friend. It was a memorable session for Patrick on Stock Pond, with great fishing, a new PB, and a touching tribute to a close companion.

Fred Drewsbury – better known for his skills on the golf course than the bank – decided to swap clubs for rods. Fishing from the ever-popular Baxter’s swim, Fred wasted no time in getting his approach locked in. All three rods were clipped up tight and dispatched 25 wraps to the left of Stink, with a steady trickle of boilie and hemp keeping the spot primed. As always, Fred’s attention to detail shone through. His choice of a match-the-hatch wafter on a spinner rig proved to be the winning edge, offering the carp just the right balance of subtlety and attraction. The session built nicely, and Fred soon had the unmistakable Gigantica carp gracing the net. In total, he landed three stunning fish, with the highlight being a chunky mirror of 39lb 8oz – a real prize from the venue. Not bad for a man whose usual battleground is the fairway! Fred might spend most of his time sinking birdie putts, but whenever he swaps the greens for the water’s edge, he somehow always manages to put a few on the bank. A top performance once again from our favourite pro golfer-turned-carp catcher.

Enter Scott Dove (self-styled: Class Clown): loud, cheerful, and impossible to ignore. He fed the area In Big Girls with a steady trickle of boilies and hemp, then set up three rigs with military precision (or so he claimed). Two rods were sent towards the spit at 26 wraps, sitting proud and patient. The third was tucked hard left down the margin at 9 wraps — a spot that would soon pay dividends. Rig choice: match-the-hatch wafter on a spinner rig — subtle, neat and deadly when paired with Scott’s steady feeding. By the end of the week the scoreboard read 4 fish. The standout was a proper lump — a 35 lb mirror, a new personal best that had us whooping louder than Scott’s jokes. Behind the catches, Scott provided the entertainment (and the headaches). He moaned all week about “4 reeds”, drank what can only be described as stupid amounts of beer, and pushed Bailiff Ben’s patience to the limit. At one point we actually joked — purely in jest — about bolting him down for five minutes’ peace. Classic Scott: impossible to be cross with for long, even when he’s being annoyingly brilliant. Final line: four fish, one proper walloper (35 lb PB), rigs and tactics that worked exactly as planned, and a week of laughter, moans and one-too-many cans. Same time next year? If Scott comes, you’re guaranteed stories — and maybe another PB

Myself I spent a few nights set up in TreeLine, with a plan to cover two zones: two rods cast out to Stink at 21 wraps, and one rod placed closer in at 13 wraps towards Big Girls. My approach was to keep it simple – a steady mix of boilie and hemp going in over the spots, presented with a match-the-hatch wafter on a spinner rig. The tactics paid off with two fish gracing the net during the session. The highlight was without doubt the capture of Two Faces at 44lb 12oz, a proper Gigantica character and the biggest of the week for me.

It was another brilliant week – the company of the lads always makes for a week full of laughs. As always, plenty of banter, plenty of fun, and a few special carp along the way. The only downside is knowing it’ll be another year before I have to put up with Scott again…

Until Next Time 

Tight Lines 

Ben 

P.S Micheal Isted Blanked! His Slogan "Turn Up, Catch Them, Go Home" But This Time He Just WENT HOME!

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