Drayton Reservoir

10 years ago it was a top match venue, now it's a res full of 20's and promises a bend in the rod all year

Drayton Reservoir, Daventry


Day ticket or syndicate: Day ticket and a night syndicate
How much?: Day ticket is £8 for 1 rod, £12 for 2. Night ticket is £25
How do I get a ticket?: On the bank
How busy is it?: Very busy in the summer months, often a queue at the gate so get there early if you want a pick of swim.
Can you drive to the swims?: Only if you're fishing the damn wall.
On site facilities: None
Nearest tackle shop: Daventry
Average size: Doubles
Max realistic size: Low 30's
Realistic catch rate: 3-20 per day
Best swims: Middle of the damn wall, first board pegs on the right and the point on the left.
Best method: Spodding over zigs.
Best bait: Creamy spod mix, light coloured zigs.
Ideal fishing range: 40/50 yards
Strange rules you should know: No metal tins
Skill level to catch: Beginner
Location: A361 in Daventry, Northamptonshire

Drayton Reservoir

Drayton used to be one of the countries top match venues but in recent years it has been overtaken by carp anglers because of the increasing size of its residents (and the money available).

For a guaranteed bend in the rod for anyone other than complete beginners to carp fishing Drayton is a dead cert.

An all-round water with plenty of fish, a good choice for a bend in the rod in winter as it rarely freezes.

- Danny Chapman

What do I need to know?

The prime pegs are the damn wall and the first few boards and catches of 20 carp in a day are common, especially those prepared to put in the work with the spod.

drayton reservoir fishing
Thanks for the pic goes to Alex Knight on Youtube.

Though not the venue for everyone in the summer months, in winter it rarely freezes and can be a good bit of sport when other lakes have a lid on them.

If you are looking for something a little different you can head down to the far end where the carp can be caught under the rod tip and on the float which is a great bit  of fun for a summers evening.

The prime tactic is the spod over zigs but you’ll see some of the older match anglers using a bread bomb in the upper layers with great success.

You can do well on method feeders or beds of bait on the bottom, largely though this sport will be throughout the night with the odd run during the day if you’re in the deeper parts of the lake near the damn wall.

For a bit of sport when the water is high a float close to the boards with meat or worms is  a great tactic for a change of pace.

 

Don’t go to Drayton without these:

Chappers

Chappers has been angling since he was five and has spent the last 10-years fishing across the World. Catching carp to 60lb, wild Arapaima to 400lbs, Siamese carp over 200lb, Maekong Catfish to 250lb and 100lb Redtail catfish.

Chappers | 16th December 2019

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