Manor Fisheries – Mixed lake
A day out after some tench at the recommended Manor Fisheries, looked like it may be hard, due to the fish starting to spawn after the long cold period.
Arriving at 7am, we took a stroll around the lakes for our first look, avoiding the geese with their young, as they seemed extremely protective, and having been nipped a few times in the past. We decided to set up at the East end of the the mixed(match) lake, were there were 2 nice swims, one of which was ideal for the pole to the rushes or edge of the island.
Maggot on the pole, over a bed of groundbait/hemp to the island was the first line for Ryan, and this started fishing straight away, but only small perch. A change to lunchoen meat along the edge of the reeds was the next target, as there seemed to be a bit of movement there now.
Not long in, and it produced the first carp of the day, which was nice, but not our target for the day. After another small carp, the first tench arrived, putting up the normal good fight.
Deciding to keep down the edge, it started to produce more carp and the odd tech, while I set up the waggler in the next swim.
I started off catching small roach, perch and rudd straight away on the waggler with 2 red maggots. After about an hour, I changed over to a piece of sweetcorn which slowed up the bites, but did produce a nice bream of about 5lb. This was followed by a few small skimmers and better quality roach.
Around midday things started to slow down, with only the odd small bite for either of us. By about 2pm, the tench started to feed again, and we were both catching them, including this lovely 4lb 10oz female, the best of the day.
Again around 3:30 it went very quiet catching wise, but there were a lot of fish splashing around in the reeds, and obviously more interested in spawning. We had a few more tench, carp, and Ryan had a nice bream of 6lb before we packed up at 6:30 after a lovely day. We will certainly be back again soon, and may be look to do a night session later in the year.