Naseby Reservoir
Boddington Reservoir
Similar to Drayton and Naseby – which are both within a half hour drive – Boddington reservoir was stocked with thousands of carp many years ago with the aim of producing a match venue but as the fish have continued to grow they have all becoming prolific runs waters for carp fisherman in Northamptonshire.
A common match venue, hauls of 20 carp in a 6-hour period are not uncommon and many tip the scales over 20lb.
An all-round water with plenty of fish, a good choice for a bend in the rod in winter as it rarely freezes.
What do I need to know?
In terms of personality, Boddington sits behind Naseby in my opinion but above Drayton because the slightly more feature rich margins, more rural feel and the fish being less hook-scared.
Boddington can be a fish a chuck water if you get it right, zigs work really well with a spod over the top and this can be fished fairly close in.
Many anglers fish a heavy quiver tip for a mixed bag with big roach, skimmers and carp giving some variety.
You can catch very close in, just off the rocks in the summer months in a foot or two of water so do not neglect the margins.
For me the long walks are not needed to reach the far pegs, fish can be caught in the first pegs and I have never really seen much of a difference – though I’m told that there is.
Bait wise opt for bright pieces of foam on a small mixer hook for zigs and use a sloppy/nutty/milky mix over the top – the milkimin pellets from CC Moore have worked well for me in this mix.
For a change of pace you can get away with floater fishing when the wind is in your favour and the birdlife isn’t too bad.
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