Shallow pole fishing is one of the most exciting tactics in the sport. When it’s right, it’s relentless. Fish competing inches under the surface, bites coming fast, and rigs barely settling before the elastic’s out.
In this guide, we’ve picked out some of the UK’s best fisheries for catching shallow on the pole. These are the places where shallow tactics don’t just work, they dominate.
The Cunneries, Chorley, Lancashire
If they don’t have matches on then set up on the S Canal or Old Canal Lakes. Both have stocks of good size F1s which can be caught shallow close to the reed cover, especially on the end pegs.
Contact: 01257 451461 Web: www.cf.areafish.com
ENHANCE YOUR SHALLOW POLE FISHING WITH THE BEST FISHING POLES.
Woodhouse Grange, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Excellent F1 shallow fishing is available. Try Kennel or Kingfisher and feed 4mm pellets on the long pole 12ins deep.
Contact: 07936 647588 Web: www.facebook.com/woodhousegrange.fisheries
Bradshaw Hall, Bolton, Lancashire
Lakes 8 and 9 throw up lots of fish shallow, mainly F1s and ide to casters and maggots. Lake 4 produces big catches of F1s on 4mm pellet shallow to the island.
Contact: 01204 307197 Web: www.bradshawhallfisheries.co.uk
Gold Valley, Aldershot, Hampshire
Middle Lake is full of F1s and, you can catch feeding maggots, casters or groundbait slop short. Big carp on the other lakes respond to 6mm or 8mm pellets.
Contact: 07786 827333 Web: www.goldvalleylakes.com/
Jansons Fishery, Elton, Nottinghamshire
All lakes are well stocked, but to bag up on small carp, try Aubreys. Fish maggots on the short pole shallow or down the edge adjacent to cover.
Contact: 07555 892127 Web: www.jansonfishery.co.uk
THE BEST FISHING SEATBOXES WILL HELP WITH EFFECTIVE SHALLOW FISHING.
Biggin Lake, Oundle, Northamptonshire
If you want big carp, this is the place to head to. Slap an 8mm pellet on the long pole and tackle up accordingly with strong gear.
Contact: 07759 737212
Hillview Fishery, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
Lots of small carp and F1s, especially on Heron and Moorhen to pellet. On the canal lakes you can catch F1s shallow down the central track using casters.
Contact: 078405 79087 Web: www.hillviewlakes.biz
Todber Manor, Sturminster, Dorset
Try Homeground Lake for the biggest catches, either long in front of you shallow or down the marginal cover.
Contact: 01258 820384 Web: www.todbermanor.co.uk/
Orchard Place Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent
The Match-style Lakes 5 and 6 are solid with F1 carp, and 200lb-plus is possible. Fish maggots short or a bit longer with casters or pellets, feeding all the time to bring the fish right up.
Contact: 01892 838576 Web: www.orchardplacefarmfishing.co.uk/
Weston Pools, Oswestry, Shropshire
Popular for the variety of its fishing, great mixed bags are on the cards. Head to the Claypit for big bags of F1 and Carp shallow.
Contact: 01691 671812 Web: www.westonpoolsvillage.co.uk
FISHING SHALLOW REQUIRES THE BEST FISHING CATAPULT FOR ACCURATE FEEDING.
