When you think of reservoirs, you probably picture long casts, big feeders and even bigger waits. But that’s not always the case.
There are plenty of big, open waters where you don’t need to launch a feeder to the horizon just to get a bite. In fact, some of the best silverfish sport in the country can be found short.
Across the UK, several reservoirs are quietly producing serious nets of roach, skimmers and hybrids at short range. These venues are proof that you don’t need to fish at 50 meters to catch well on big waters.
If you’re looking for a day’s fishing with simple tactics and the chance to build a weight without breaking your back, these are the places to visit.
Southfield Reservoir, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Double-figure nets of skimmers and roach can be had 15m-25m from the bank. Vary the consistency of your groundbait to alter whether it releases quickly to create a cloud or gets to the deck in the cage.
Contact: 07946 382882
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Carr Mill Dam, St Helens, Merseyside
Teems with roach and small skimmers that can be caught on a small cage feeder at 25m. Introduce a few pinkies and finely chopped worm with your groundbait on each cast.
Contact: 01744 733772
Boddington Reservoir, Daventry, Northants
Huge shoals of roach can be caught just 5m-10m out. Rotate between double maggots, worm segments and small grains of corn to pick out the bigger fish.
Contact: 07815 534857
Lake Windermere, Cumbria
Prebait before your session and the big bream will come within 30m of the bank. Introduce plenty of corn, hemp and dead maggots with your groundbait.
Contact: 01539 724867
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Foulridge Upper Reservoir, Colne, Lancashire
This Pendle Burnley DAA-controlled water holds tons of roach. Fish a small window feeder, set up heli-style.
Contact: 01282 427386
Rudyard Lake, Leek, Staffordshire
Use braided mainline to spot the shy bites from the resident roach, perch and bream. Cast every three minutes at the start to get a bed of bait down.
Contact: 07718 808881
Furzton Lake, Milton Keynes, Bucks
The silverfish population has exploded lately, and a maggot or cage feeder cast 25m out from the bank will produce lots of roach. Unclip and push a few metres out if bites dry up.
Contact: 07759 129800
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Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent
The bream may live in the middle of the lake, but the roach are more than willing to come closer. Fish 20m out with a small cage and use live or dead maggots on the hook for 20lb-plus nets.
Contact: 01622 200000
Bitterwell Lake, Bristol
Find quality skimmers and the odd bonus tench if you fish the feeder 20m from the bank. Fishmeal groundbait with a few micros will soon get them grubbing around.
Contact: 07717 131438
Patshull Park Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Home to lots of skimmers to 2lb. Worms, casters and maggots will bring bites. Start at 25m, but be prepared to push out.
Contact: 01283 711547
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