Since opening in May 2013, we have seen many different types of anglers come through the gates at Millfield Pool. Here are a few pointers that both experienced and more novice anglers can take on board when fishing the venue, and also incorporate these tips when visiting other venues:
Please read the venue rules, check out the lake video, maps and pictures prior to your visit to get a feel of the venue.
The bailiffs will give you as much help as possible, however we cannot do everything for you!! Go on the Facebook/Twitter page and check out the catch reports and see what pegs have produced recently.
We get questions from time to time asking which peg/bait is the best. The carp move around to different swims so we cannot say which peg necessarily is the best as the "best peg" is the one with the fish in on the day. In terms of bait, any good quality bait will work. From time to time certain methods might trend, like zigs or certain colour pop ups, but after an extensive restocking of the venue, the carp, once you find them feeding, are not very fussy.
Call or text the bailiff if you have any doubts about anything. Best to ask than just presume and get it wrong.
When you fish to snags and we say fish "locked up", that means have your bait runners or clutch set so that the fish can barely take any line from your reel on a pick up. Therefore, reducing snagged fish, which for the anglers means more fish on the bank and for us means less tethered/endangered fish.
Work to catch fish. It is not a runs water. Suss out your swim on arrival, look for signs of fish in the margins etc and cast to showing fish... do not just be happy with your spots you have decided to fish to when fish are boshing out in other parts of your swim! Some anglers will come and do a 72 hour session and blank without stepping foot out of their peg. If the fish are at the other end of the lake feeding in a vacant peg, move to them!
In periods of hot weather the fish will spend most of their time in the upper layers. It is not a shallow venue, so fishing bottom baits in 17 feet of water in the day time when the majority of the fish are cruising on top is not going to produce many fish (although due to the unpredicability of carp you can still 'drop on'). Therefore, come prepared with zig gear and floating baits or find the shallow areas of your swim and present a bait there.
Lock the gate up and scramble the code every time you go through it. Even if you just 'nip to the shops' you must do it every time. Also, never let anyone through the gate who does not have the code under any circumstances. Call the bailiff if someone is trying to gain access.
Park sensibly in the parking areas near your peg. Pegs 9 and 10 cannot be accessed by car so you must park near peg 8 and barrow tackle to the pegs.
Please respect that the bailiffs have lives to live! We do dedicate many hours to the venue, but please do not ring to book on during unsociable hours! We have had people ringing up on a Saturday night at 10.30pm to book on 2 weeks later. If it can wait until a more reasonable time then please hold on until then.
Read up about otter predation! It amazes us how many carp anglers are ignorant to the threat of otters to our quarry. If you go to a venue with an otter fence such as ours, make sure you close all gates after yourself and leave nothing to chance. If you fish a water without a fence whether it is a private water, syndicate or club water, try to convince the powers that be to erect a fence to protect the fish. It is the future of our sport that is at stake here