This month’s round up of the featured fisheries on UKMA include Baden Hall, Gawsworth and Pendle View, all of which have produced loads of big fish.

The doubles series of 48 hour carp matches are well under way at Pendle View; owner Dave Harnick told UKMA that although there is still the odd place left, most events are fully booked in pursuit of the big cash prize to be fished for during the Grand Final over the weekend 25/27th November. So far, qualifiers have been won with over 100lbs of pristine carp, including the venue record mirror at 37lbs 4ozs for successful pair Albert Cairns and Arthur Boswell. The heats are likely to get tougher as the cold weather sets in, so just a couple of bites could put you in the frame for a cash prize of over £3000! Other anglers are contributing a good number of double figure fish and plenty of 20’s during pleasure sessions, but don’t forget there are specimen fish throughout, with perch nearing 5lbs worth targeting.

If you haven’t read the review for Pendle View in the Fisheries Directory, it’s a complex with fantastic facilities, hot food, tackle shop, showers, huge pegs and huge fish! Containing two 40lbs+ fish, Pendle holds the current Lancashire record carp in the shape of ‘Butt Head’ in excess of 47lbs, so it’s certainly worth a visit if you are searching for a new challenge.. Find out more at www.pendleviewfishery.com

Cheshire’s Gawsworth Fisheries has continued to provide prolific sport during unsettled conditions; Lodge Pool has been giving up big nets of carp, tench and bream to float and leger tactics with smaller baits proving most successful over tight beds of baits. There are some smashing crucian carp in this intimate water, and multiple catches are certainly possible, even this late in the season. I witnessed an 18lb common from Park Pool by an angler fishing right in the edge on the float. Park is another stunning little pool with a fair number of big tench and some clonking carp to back up stocks of bream, roach and perch which are fairly easy to get into, so it’s an ideal venue when the water cools.

The most popular water at Gawsworth is undoubtedly Wall Pool which hides carp to 27lbs and catfish to well over 45lbs. In addition to the usual specimen hunters quarry, there are a smattering of big perch in excess of 3lbs, quality tench, barbel and a lot of bream which run to 5/6lbs.

All the waters (there are six) at Gawsworth are well established and very picturesque making it a very peaceful, relaxing day out and always a joy to fish; find out more at www.gawsworthfisheries.co.uk

Staffordshire big carp water Baden Hall is fishing very well. I’m getting reports from bailiffs Dave and Gavin of multiple catches of 30lbs+ fish from Quarry Pool which is rapidly gaining a reputation for throwing up really big fish to those who are prepared to work for them. The lake record fell again this week with a common of 41lbs 8ozs which is a truly gorgeous fish and much sought after; the big common is closely matched by the current record mirror carp of 38lbs!

The big weed beds are dying back a bit now, so the fish are on the move and no longer confined to areas of good cover so there is a chance of a whacker from any peg on the lake. Each peg has a small cabin to fish from and unhooking mats, weigh slings and landing nets are provided, so no excuse to miss out. Entry to the pools is on a ‘lock in, lock out’ basis, so make sure you call the office on 01785850313 to book first.

The better fish are falling to a wide variety of methods and baits; maggots are starting to do well as temperatures fall, but the ever reliable pineapple pop up is responsible for this week’s record fish and a number of others. Monster Crab did well for Shaun Evans this week with a brace at 20lbs and 38lbs, KG1 accounted for Wayne Taylor’s brace of fish at 22lbs 4ozs and 24lbs 9ozs and PVA bag tactics did the business for Matt Woods who also bagged a pair of 20lbs+ fish. Best catch report so far is a four fish hit for venue regular Lee Simms who too carp between 21lbs 4ozs and 29lbs 2ozs on the humble maggot!

It’s not just carp at Baden; the pike season is now well under way and a lot of big snappers have already hit the bank. The pike fishing runs until 1st March, so if you fancy a crack at a croc, then Quarry Pool might be just the place to catch one. The biggest reported to date went 29lbs 8ozs on the scales and there are an awful lot of fish over 20lbs. Its deadbait only (no live bait at all) so be prepared to wait it out until a toothy torpedo hits the bait, but when it does, you might just have to hang on! More details at www.badenhall.com