If you're looking for something new to fish for other than carp, why not try your hand at targeting barbel and chub on many of the commercials around the country.
More and more fisheries are stocking these fish, as customers want variety in their angling and these two species provide great sport for visiting anglers. Here's some spots to visit to catch one...
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FOREST LANE FISHERY, YORK, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Maggots will score on The Furlong, with regular feeding on the short pole line key to 70lb nets of barbel. Use a 0.13mm hooklength to a size 16 hook.
Contact: 07770 692683, www.forestlanefishery.co.uk
BARLOW COUNTRY CLUB, BARLOW, DERBYSHIRE
Narnia is a real mixed gem, and the chub that run to 4lb are a big draw for many. Try a banded 6mm pellet, set your rig to 18ins deep and keep feeding 4mms to draw a response.
Contact: 01142 891946, barlowcountryclub.co.uk
PARTRIDGE LAKES, CULCHETH, CHESHIRE
Piper is a pleasure angler’s haven and the chub offer some mega sport. Corner pegs with plenty of cover are prolific, with maggots and casters the best baits.
Contact: 01925 767505, www.partridgelakes.co.uk
DECOY LAKES, WHITTLESEY, CAMBS
Elm holds a big head of barbel that run to 6lb, and the margins are the place to find them. Maggots and micro pellets are the best baits, with a small pot of freebies needed after each fish.
Contact: 07498 332817, www.decoylakes.co.uk
LAWN FARM FISHERY, ELSWORTH, CAMBS
The pellet waggler fished either into open water or close to the islands on Willow will attract chub to 3lb, with the Method feeder the best way to extract the odd barbel.
Contact: 01954 718269, www.lawnfishery.co.uk
ALVECHURCH FISHERIES, BIRMINGHAM
Maggots presented on the long pole will attract barbel to 5lb on Horseshoe, with the margins a better option if you’re targeting them on Canal Pool.
Contact: 0121 4454274, www.alvechruchfisheries.co.uk
THE SEDGES, BRIDGWATER, SOMERSET
Fishing down the track with maggots or casters can produce barbel to 2lb on Canal. Rotate swims positioned to the left and right to keep the bites coming all day.
Contact: 01278 445221, www.thesedgesfishery.co.uk
WESTON POOLS, OSWESTRY, SHROPSHIRE
Jack’s Pool is home to plenty of barbel to 4lb, and either the pole or a short chuck with a Method feeder to the island will find them. Rotate hookbaits to stop the fish from wising up.
Contact: 01691 671812, www.westonpoolsvillage.co.uk
WOLD FARM, PODINGTON, NORTHANTS
Islands, Moat and Oaks all hold a good head of barbel. Corn, pellet and maggots are the best baits. Fish close to the cover and feed sparingly.
Contact: 07974 000230, www.woldfarm.co.uk
MONK LAKES, MARDEN, KENT
Match Lake Two is home to a decent head of barbel that often feed in the margins. Introduce two big cupfuls of maggots and present four dead reds on a size 16 over the top.
Contact: 01622 833332, www.monklakes.co.uk
Barbel and chub in stillwaters can provide some excellent sport if you hit it right, it makes a nice change to catching carp and F1s all the time that's for sure!
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