Match fishing in a well-stocked lake near Doncaster

Fish the margins for bonus fish & larger carp

• On commercial match fisheries, the margins can be a real match winner and quite often the bigger fish can be caught down the edge too. If there are marginal reeds or snags then you will have to ‘up’ the strength of your tackle accordingly. Use your pole and plumb the depths of your swim thoroughly to understand the topography of your swim so you know exactly what is out there. It is always important that you feed your swim correctly, be accurate, cautious and do not over feed your swim. In that last hour of your match, carp often move into the edges as anglers begin to throw in their unused bait.

Tips for fishing the method feeder

• The method feeder is so effective as puts the hook bait on the ball of feed where the fish can get at it quickly. Method feeders from 20g to 30g will allow you reach the sunken island in the middle of the Match Lake, the pegs on the house bank side offering the shortest cast. Clipping up is essential to land the feeder in the same place each time and often the noise of the feeder landing will encourage carp into feeding, so don’t wait too long for that next cast. Go for a 60/40 mix of micro pellets and ground bait. Favourite hook baits are 6mm carp pellets fished on a band, but hair-rigged corn or even three dead red maggots can be brilliant too. Changing baits can be really effective, so try different hook baits, especially if the fishing is slow. Finally, tackle-up sensibly to catch F1 carp, so use a reliable mainline to a sensible hook link material.

Pole fishing for Winter carp

• The pole has to be first choice in Winter when accuracy is so important and the fish are further out in deeper water. The key to this type of fishing is to have your hook bait among the free offerings as they fall through the water column. When the rig has settled, wait 30 seconds before lifting and laying it back in again over the loose feed. A single red maggot on the hook will often get the fastest bites, but there’s no harm in trying two now and then for bigger fish. Feed carefully with a small pot on your pole, depending upon how your catching, possibly loose feed bait with a catapult.