The Main Lake is 35 acres and has 13 swims.
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THE LAKE
Stock Pond
The first swim you see as you enter the Main Lake, and so called as it is located next to the largest of our stock ponds which hold the babies we are growing into monsters for the future. A comfortable swim which is located next to the club house and facilities.
Prevailing Wind | Northerlies, NE & NW blow into the corner of the bay. |
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Average Depth | 22 feet with shallower margins. |
Hot Areas
21 RL into the far right corner off the raised area. 16 RL at Oblivion. 6 RL down the right hand margin. 11 RL half way down the stock pond bank.
Description
Although it is one of the corner swims, it commands a lot of water, but is a swim which actually fishes better, at short to medium range. People do fish out as far as 26 RL, but this has the effect of cutting off the bay, which is the best feature of the swim.
Notable Captures
This swim is prime real-estate in the spring months as the fish explore the margins and the shallower water. In 2018 it was 'the' swim to be in and produced fish week after week through the early part of the year and into July. Shoulder’s came from here on a couple of occasions along with lots of scaley stunners such as Wodka, Stoneacres, Equalled and Secret Sundaze. It has also produced a November capture of Fudgy’s at 86lb 8oz.
Pole Position
One of the first swims you see as you enter the Main Lake, and so called because it commands a fair amount of open water. It can be fished as close or as far out as you like. A comfortable swim which is located next to the club house and facilities.
Prevailing Wind | Easterlies, NE come straight across the lake at you. |
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Average Depth | 23 Feet |
Hot Areas
In 2018, from 24 to 28 RL straight at “The Stink” produced the majority of the fish in this swim. 14 to 16 wraps left of Stink, also worth a single rod for a 'biggun'.
Description
Although it is one of the open water swims, it has been fished at all ranges from medium to very long. The best way to fish Pole is to go at least as far out as the angler next door in Alcatraz. If you fish short of where Alcatraz is putting in bait, the fish tend to come to that baited area first.
Notable Captures
This swim is a consistent allrounder which usually produces a chance or two each week. A seven fish haul in August 2018 to Tobias Ward proved the theory of fishing just beyond Alcatraz works well. Robert’s Fish, The Clean Fish and Baby Cluster were the pick of the big fish captures in 2018.
Alcatraz
One of the most sought after swims on the Main Lake, named after DF’s favourite swim on Elstow 1. Has a fantastic view right across the lake.
Prevailing Wind | Easterlies, NE comes straight across the lake at you. Southerly and SW winds make casting at range a lot easier. |
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Average Depth | 22 Feet with shallower margins. |
Hot Areas
In 2018, 27/28 RL left of “The Stink” accounted for the majority of the fish. 23 RL to the hump at Scottie’s Corner when the wind is blowing at you. 31 RL at Big Southerly is a lovely hard area.
Description
One of the most productive open water swims, it has acres of water, which can be a bit daunting for the less experienced anglers who sometimes fish it. In 2018 a longer-range approach was certainly the best way to fish it. To get the best from the swim you need to be able to fish and bait-up effectively in all weather conditions at 27 wraps. We regularly see people become frustrated when the weather conditions deteriorate and they can’t reach the spot they started fishing at the start of the week.
Notable Captures
The session of the year (for big fish) in 2018 fell to Gareth Radley on the Korda trip. He landed five fish, but what a group of fish they were. Two Time (64lb), Galaxy (63lb), Shoulder’s (56lb), and two rarely caught scaley’s. All from 27.5 RL left of Stink. Sam Jones also landed thirteen fish in his August 2018 trip. Baiting the 27.5 wrap spot, he put in 10kg of Sticky Krill boilies a day to keep the bites coming.
Baxter's Hole
Named after Adam Baxter the Monster Carp Director and Editor. Apparently quite a few Korda anglers spend a bit of time in 'Baxter’s Hole' during the course of a year!
Prevailing Wind | NE, E, SE |
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Average Depth | 23 feet with shallower margins |
Hot Areas
20 RL at “The Stink” has been the most productive mark in recent times. 8 RL down the righthand margin. 14 RL at Big Girls. 14 RL left of Co’s Point.
Description
Designed to be a short to medium range swim only. The longest cast you need to make is 20 RL, and quite often the fish will be well inside this mark. When you plot up in Baxter’s, concentrate on the water in your swim and don’t be distracted by the big blue yonder. When the fish turn up in the swim, they are very catchable. A wider spread of bait to hold them in the area is definitely to your advantage in the warmer months. Don’t spread the lines too wide, and keep to a maximum of two baited spots. The Immaculate Common spends a lot of time between Bob’s Beach and Baxter’s as it’s last two September captures demonstrate.
Notable Captures
One of the best sessions ever on the lake was from this swim by Geoff Maskell. Coming out of the draw last, he didn’t really fancy the swim, but it turned out to be the session of a lifetime, when he landed eight originals, including Spence’s at 62lb and the mighty Immaculate Common at 76lb.
Bob's Beach
Originally named “The Beach” after DF’s favourite swim on Walthamstow No.2. Latterly changed to Bob’s Beach after the late Bob Pallen. It didn’t matter where Bob came out in the draw, he always ended up in The Beach. RIP Bob….
Prevailing Wind | Easterlies, SE blow straight into the Beach. |
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Average Depth | 23 feet with shallower margins |
Hot Areas
21/22 RL at Stink or Alamo does the majority or the fish, but they will certainly come in closer. 14 RL towards the headland off the stock ponds is another good one rod spot.
Description
Designed to be a short to medium range swim only. The longest cast you need to make is 25 RL, and quite often the fish will be well inside this mark. A comfortable swim for those who don’t want to fish at long range, as it is off the back of the wind a lot of the time. Produces fish all year round, and has done fish in the winter in recent times. One of the biggest draws of the swim is that the Immaculate Common spends a lot of time between Bob’s Beach and Baxter’s as it’s last two September captures demonstrate.
Notable Captures
In 2018 the session of the year came to first time visitor Rob Dungate when he landed eight originals all over 30lb when the swim had been seemingly unproductive in the weeks leading up to it. A heavy baiting strategy paid off handsomely. The other two notable captures in 2018 were the mighty Immaculate Common at 80lb and Fudgy’s at 80lb!
The Treeline
Originally named because of the snaggy tree line that ran all the way down the left-hand margin. In recent times we have removed the snags to improve the fishing.
Prevailing Wind | Easterlies, SE blow straight into the Treeline corner and margin. |
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Average Depth | Under tree line is 12 feet, bottom of the shelf is about 15 and out in the bay is 23 feet. |
Hot Areas
Anywhere along the tree line margin and down the gradually sloping shelf. 23 RL towards The Stink. 14 RL Towards Alamo
Description
Designed to be a short to medium range swim only. The longest cast you need to make is 25 RL, and nearly always the fish will be well inside this mark. A comfortable swim for those who don’t want to fish at long range, as it is off the back of the wind a lot of the time. Has the credentials to produce fish all year round, but rarely does the theory get practiced. Great for watching the fish at close quarters, and we regularly see huge fish cruising the margins. The big scaley 'Fred' is a Treeline regular and is often seen mooching around. There’s not many scaley near sixty pounders in Europe, so if you want to target one, this could be the swim for you.
Notable Captures
In 2018 the best session was enjoyed by Mark White who fished the open water at 23 RL towards Stink and had four originals, the best being “Pips” at 66lb. Patient angling is usually rewarded in the Treeline. Dave Bendall managed to land three fish by casting PVA sticks at showing fish in the dark, one of which was “The Survivor” at over 50lb.
Co's Point
Originally named after DF’s Dutch 'brother' Co, who looked after the lake whilst the sale of Gigantica was going through.
Prevailing Wind | Southerlies, SE blow straight into Co’s Point. |
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Average Depth | 22 Feet, fairly uniform |
Hot Areas
27/28 RL at “The Tits”. 30 RL to Flat Oak. 25 RL and beyond where the bottom is firm and clear will produce bites.
Description
If Carlsberg did swims! Possibly one of the nicest views in carp fishing. Co’s Point is one of the swims which in recent times has responded better to a longer range approach. One of the unfortunate consequences has been anglers struggling to fish it effectively. When you get a head or crosswind blowing at you, fishing beyond 25 RL is out of reach for some. That said, the rewards are there to be had, and some great sessions were enjoyed in 2018. It hasn’t been throwing up big fish in numbers but is still the most popular swim on the complex.
Notable Captures
In 2018 Russ Smith had a great session (numbers wise) when he landed thirteen fish for the week in August up to mid forties. Steve Bartlett had an amazing Christmas week in the swim when amongst his eighteen fish haul he landed the very elusive Northern Scaley at 80lb. A fish that had been on the missing list since 2015! Over the years, almost all the big fish in the lake have come from Co’s Point at one time or another.
Scottie's Corner
An often overlooked swim which gives some up close and personal fishing. When the fish come into Scottie's they are there to feed, and are ultimately very catchable.
Prevailing Wind | Southerlies blow straight into Scottie's Corner |
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Average Depth | 10ft in the corner gradually sloping to 16ft in the entrance to the bay. |
Hot Areas
One rod fished across to the far side, towards the bottom of the bay. 15-16 wraps in line with the end of the overhanging tree off Co's Point are both productive area's. Don't overlook your nearside margin up to the left hand side.
Description
This is a short range, intimate swim where the longest cast is only 60yds. in the Spring and Summer, there are fish frequently moving in and out of the swim. We removed the snags from the far side of the swim in December 2018 where a lot of fish used to hide. This has resulted in the fish feeding more in the swim, as opposed to hiding up. Don't be afraid to spend time with the lines out of the water; it lets the fish move into the bay with confidence.
Notable Captures
If you like a big Common, the 'Cut Tail Common' likes this swim and was caught here at over 60lb. The best haul of fish in recent times from the swim was taken by Matt Finch who only fished evenings and nights. He landed eighteen fish from twenty bites in a week! Will Greenhill landed the much sought after "Split Pec" from the 15 wrap spot in May 2019 at a whopping 66lb 8oz. There's plenty of things to make Socittie's a more than viable option.
Big Southerly
Named after the big southerly winds which blow straight into the swim. You get a fantastic view of what is going on around the lake and it does throw up some big fish quite regularly.
Prevailing Wind | Southerlies and SW |
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Average Depth | 21ft with shallower margins |
Hot Areas
13.5 wraps towards the left hand marker pole. 25.5 wraps left of Alcatraz. 6 wraps down the right hand margin.
Description
A swim with snags in open water, which almost always hold fish. Has good form year round, and is a consistently productive swim. When the wind switches and starts blowing a strong southerly, it is almost certain that the fish won't be far behind. Long range is not necessary in this swim, and more often than not, the fish will be around the marker poles at 50-60yds.
Notable Captures
Has produced plenty of big fish over the years, including Northern Scaley, Ziggy, Pip's, and in March 2019 Danny Tapp landed Robert's Fish at 72lb 8oz! Tom Collingwood had a great session in there in August 2018, when he landed eleven fish in a productive week, with the Snags Linear being the biggest.
The Stink
One of the best big fish swims on the lake, with a track record for throwing up the real bigguns. This is a swim that is sometimes overlooked in the draw, but is one of the most productive swims, especially in the spring.
Prevailing Wind | Southerly, Westerly and SW |
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Average Depth | 23 Feet |
Hot Areas
15 wraps right of Alcatraz. 25-28 wraps to the big tree left of Beach. 15 wraps to the corner of Treeline.
Description
The weed growth can be significant, but does change during the season and as a result so the productive areas will also change. It is definitely worth casting a lead around the swim to see if there are other clear areas. This is a swim that fishes well with the wind in its face because of the prevailing south westerly and westerly winds but it will also produce bites when the wind is off your back, especially late in the season. This swim comes alive at night even when it is seemingly devoid of fish during in the day; you'll be amazed at how many fish show after dark and at very close range.
Notable Captures
Every one of the 70 and 80lb fish have been caught from The Stink; and most of the 60's as well. There are so many notable captures, we can't list them all! It's safe to say, The Stink is an awesome swim!
The Alamo
Named after DF’s favourite swim on Mercers Park. A large double swim which can easily accommodate two anglers but can also be fished by one angler if that is the way that the draw works out. We encourage only friends to double-up in this swim as your bivvies are fairly close together when the rods are out.
Prevailing Wind | Southerlies, Westerlies and SW |
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Average Depth | 24 Feet |
Hot Areas
25 - 28 wraps towards big tree left of Beach. 25-28 wraps left of Baxter's. 15 wraps at the kitchen roof.
Description
Over the years, this swim has produced fish at almost every distance from 40 yards out to 150 yards. It commands the centre of the lake and as a result, really suits long-distance anglers. The fish will amass here when the wind is blowing hard in your face and as the season progresses, the fish will move further out and spots do appear straight in front of the swim starting at around 24 wraps going right out to 31 wraps. A swim which also has great winter form for the long range angler.
Notable Captures
The swim has produced most of the larger residents over the years, and if you wanted to target 'The German' it has been caught from this swim at the end of August in 2017 and 2018!
Oblivion
Named after the terminology DF uses when fishing at extreme range ‘Oblivion’! In fact, it is no longer necessary to fish Oblivion at extreme range. Most bites tend to come between 20 and 28 wraps. This swim usually has patches of weed, so casting around a pronged lead prior to committing to a spot is essential.
Prevailing Wind | Westerly, SW and NW |
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Average Depth | 22 Feet |
Hot Areas
25-28 wraps big tree left of Beach. 27-28 wraps at Alcatraz. 15 wraps at Baxter's. 6 wraps down the right hand margin at Big Southerly.
Description
Large beds of potamogeton can spring up between this swim and The Alamo, and also between this swim and Big Girls. When this occurs you will need to dump the lead and play the fish pretty hard to steer them away from these beds of weed. If the fish do get behind these weed beds you will need to call a bailiff to go out in a boat and hopefully free it; but play them hard and you should have no problems. Large clear areas remain between 20 and 30 wraps with the area around 27 -29 wraps being the most consistently fished and therefore, the most productive. As with most of the open water swims, this swim should be fished with all 3 rods close together with probably 6-8ft between each hookbait. The short range spot at 6 wraps has done some big fish the last few years, so is always worth priming with bait and then dropping onto during the week.
Notable Captures
This swim has done virtually every big fish in the lake over the years. Probably the most notable was the capture was of Robert's Fish at 69lb 8oz by Jesse James in December 2017. A truly epic capture.
Big Girls
So called as historically the 'big girls' often frequent this swim, especially around spawning time.
Prevailing Wind | Westerly and North Westerly |
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Average Depth | 18 Feet |
Hot Areas
18 wraps to stock pond inflow pipe. 23 wraps at Stock Pond swim. 6.5 wraps big tree in the left hand corner.
Description
A really easy swim to fish, with the longest cast being 80-90 yards. If you look to the left, there is a prominent tree on the opposite tree line almost in the corner of the lake where a lot of fish are caught at around 9 wraps, or at 6.5 wraps to a clear area where the two marginal shelves meet. Further up the bank, the inflow pipe from the stock pond injects plenty of oxygenated water into the lake and is always worth a rod. This spot and the 23 wrap spot towards Stock Pond can be baited by walking round to the spit and using a catapult or bait scoop.
Notable Captures
This swim is a consistent producer of bites. In the spring and around spawning time some of the really big fish can be seen in the area. The biggest scaley mirror in the lake (Rene's) was captured from the 23 wrap spot in late spring 2018. Dale Diamond landed Spotty Leather, Fred, The Unattended and Eddie's in less than three hours in July 2019. A sixty, two fifties and a thirty will do nicely for a short evening session!