Main Lake, Burgh Castle Fishery

Main lake is not the easiest, I would go in with a simple approach and not over think things and not chop and change rigs, stick to what you know works else where.

There are many features like reed lines, islands, gravel bars, lily pads, but don’t ignore fishing the siltier areas especially in the winter.

A lot of new anglers who don’t catch on the first session on the lake start to over think things and let it get to them, as they say effort equals reward and just keep chipping away at it and the rewards will come.

Bait

Use a bait that you’re confident in, a lot of people use the bait the lake has made especially, but I’ve always had confidence in DNA Baits and have done very well on this venue with it.

The bait sold on site would probably be your best bet as a lot of it goes in the lake and the fish do eat a lot of it. But I’m stubborn myself and stick with what I use else where, DNA baits s7.

Rigs

Keep your rigs simple, some of these fish are over 30 years old and are very tricky to make slip up, you won’t go wrong with a standard hair rig with a long hair.

My go to rig is a slip d style rig fished with either a match the hatch bottom bait out the bag, or a white barrel wafter, if I did need a pop up rig I would use a hinge stiff rig. These are rigs I’ve used on every venue I fish and I have big confidence in them.

When you arrive

Have a walk round the venue and try to find fish, although a small lake they can be a little difficult to find.

If you can’t find them speak to the others anglers and find out where fish have been getting caught from or showing. Being a small water I wouldn’t thrash it with a marker float or a lead I would chuck a few rigs out and feel for a drop you’re happy with.

Tactics

This venue does not allow zigs or surface fishing, so in summer I would fish the shallower spots with either a wafter or a bottom bait.

In winter times I move over to high visual single pop ups cast to showing fish, if they aren’t showing I will use my rods as roaming rods and move them every few hours trying to pick up a fish.

Always cast to showing fish or fizzing, but also the bait and wait approach can pay off.