Top tips for pike fishing at Sandhill Lakes

Roger Green of WDAA has compiled some top tips for us to pass on for anyone who fancies some pike action on Sandhill Lake.

He advised that the top five baits producing at the moment are mackerel tail, herring, trout and lamprey with two to three inch roach the top bait.

Please note that these are all dead baits, with live baiting not allowed on the water.

He tells us that pegs 29 to 39 in the deeper water are worth a look but beware of the snags. When the weather warms up try pegs 51 to 64 and 67 to 80.

Find the drop offs and shelves because the pike like to patrol these areas. Lure fishing using the sink and draw method can produce the odd fish. Again watch for the snags, but don’t let it sink too deep.

The rigs incorporate size 8 semi barbed hooks and 20lb trace wire. Bites can be just a single bleep or just one sharp pull, so be prepare to strike at these.

Lastly, always go fully equipped with pike forceps, wire cutters and preferably an unhooking mat. Thanks to Roger Green for the contribution.

Through the Grapevine

Harold Wells of the Retford AA informs us that there are still a few places left on their individual league to be run on the cemetery length of the canal.
You have until tomorrow afternoon to register, with the first match on Sunday, 20th March.
The entry fee is £12 for the series with £10 pools on each match. There are six matches with the best five scores counting.
There are also a few dates left for club bookings this year on the association’s waters on the Chesterfield Canal and Woodside Lake.
For more information on either of these items you can ring Harold on 01777 702227.

On the trout lake at Ranskill, the best catch of the week went to Dave Thorpe, who had 17 fish, the best a 13lb 2oz rainbow.
The method used was segmented bloodworm on floating line.
On the carp lake, J. Robinson had two fish off peg 5. The best, a mirror of 25lb 10oz, fell to a small boilie.
The first strip is worth a look with Paul Hardy catching 80lb-plus of carp off the first peg. For details ring 01777 818524.

Bill at Lodge Farm informs us that the winning method at the moment on the Top Pond is ground bait feeder with a flouro pinkie hook bait. The preferred ground bait mix is green swimstim or marine halibut.

Mick Pogson would like to let the members of Stanley Street Social Club AC know that the next match in their spring series is on Sunday at Sherwood Forest Farm Park.
He would like to thank outgoing secretary Richard Kirkham and wish Brian Fox all the best in taking over the position.
All members are reminded that the subs should be paid in full by 1st May.

Denise Pain of Worksop Piscatorials would like to remind members of the AGM on 5th April. It takes place at the Innings and starts at 7pm. If anyone has any suggestions for the agenda can they let the committee know as soon as possible.

The World Carp Classic is to be fished from 13th to 18th September on the Lac Armance in the Foret De Orient.
There will be £25,000 up for grabs with £10,000 for the winners. The entry fee is £590 per pair, but you can save £50 by paying before 30th April. There is a limit of 115 pairs on a first come first serve basis. Check out the website at: info@worldcarpclassic or you can ring Zoe on 00(0)442392827000.

What a difference a week makes – the sun is shining, the forecast is good and with warmer weather promised, the close season has started. As far as the sea scene is concerned Roger tells us that it is fairly dead, with the beach season drawing to an end.
There are still odd fish being caught on the beaches with Brad and Johnny Hunt drawing a blank from Hornsea North apart from a couple of small whiting.

They were fishing in perfect conditions, so the writing is on the wall as far as the beaches are concerned.

There was bad luck for WDAA in the semi-finals of the Angling Times Winter League fished at Woodlands Fishery at Thirsk.
They came in ninth position out of the 12 teams competing but were 12 points off qualifying. Special commendation must go to young Ashley Nicholson who got third in his section and also Steve Birkenshaw and Mark Pressley who achieved the same score.
Thanks go to Gordon Smith for this report.

For local match results see Notts Match Results

Tight Lines all - and roll on the summer!