Sandhurst Lake Key Details
Sandhurst Lake, Yateley
The lake is 14 acres in size and is relatively shallow with depths ranging from 2 to 10ft with an average depth of 5ft. There is one island from which fishing is permitted, and numerous gravel bars and features that can be easily located from a choice of 31 swims.
Very few day ticket waters give you the chance of a 40lb + carp but the Sandhurst venue record currently stands at 45lb with at least 10 other fish breaking the magical 40 barrier.
It’s no surprise that Yateley Sandhurst has been attracting anglers from across the country for many years and will hopefully continue for years to come.
Some of carp fishings finest anglers have fished this neck of the woods at one time or another.
Check out Elliott at Sandhurst below a few years ago.
For a more up to date Sandhurst film check out episode 9 – www.cypography.co.uk
You’ll need these for your trip to Sandhurst!
I have always loved fishing Yateley Sandhurst. It is a very popular day-ticket venue and it is clear to see why, with a real carpy feel to it and of course being situated in Yateley, it is steeped in carp fishing history.
Some of carp fishings finest anglers have fished this neck of the woods at one time or another.
The lake itself is pretty shallow by nature, throughout the venue really, with only a handful of spots exceeding 9-10ft I would guess. I haven’t fished Sandhurst loads, but when I have it has always been good to me.
In fact, on one visit I was lucky enough to tempt the biggest fish in the lake, a fish know as Tipex, a big old common at 43lb.
Fish can be caught on a range of tactics
The beauty of Sandhurst is that the fish can be tempted on an array of methods. When I first started fishing there several years ago, when it was a little quieter with regards to angling pressure, I caught a lot of carp fishing stinky white pop-ups over a spread of boilies via a throwing stick.
I would pay close attention to the fish, moving onto showers wherever I could. Hinged stiff rigs over the top of spread boilies usually did the trick.
This caught me a lot of fish, often going into double figures on some sessions.
Due to the shallow nature of the water, keeping mobile is key.
Once you’ve caught a few, the fish will often move on so it’s important to keep chasing them around and even more so trying to get in situ before they arrive – leapfrogging showing fish if you like rather than always casting straight onto them .
In more recent years, since I have returned to Sandhurst for another go, and used particles to great success, but I believe they are now banned, with a boilie only rule in force.
How I approach with a boilie only rule
Consequently, I would now target it with boilie crumb, steeped in lots of attractors, powders and liquids. There is a lot more than just using standard round baits.
Spot fish at Sandhurst
Again, this has changed since years ago. My approach these days would be to spend time finding a nice small spot to present a rig on, especially if the lake is busy.
If you can get on the fish through seeing them, then even better, but this isn’t always possible when it’s busy. There will be a lot of casting around the lake, a lot of commotion and so the fish will congregate in quieter areas, particularly ones with sanctuary such as thick weed beds.
Small gravel spots, little silt seams, just something that most others would struggle to find are generally the most productive. Stay clear of big blatant bars and plateaus etc.
I’m not saying this will work all the time, but it is very easy to drop into the most popular swims and fish the same as everybody else.
Other swims do regularly produce fish, The Pipes, 9,10,11 but if they’re taken, then look for something else and the smaller the spot, the better at times.
It can be weedy
Sandhurst can get weedy at times, especially in the height of summer, but more recently there’s no weed at all, so the fish are more active and on the move, angler pressure will play a big part in this too. Get as close to the fish as you can, find some nice areas and you’ll stand a great chance.
Tackle/rig recommendations
Fluorocarbon is an edge, due to its gin clear water. Also due to the shallow nature of the water you want to pay attention to line lay and get it flush to the lake bed, which fluorocarbon allows you to do. This is particularly important on shallow lakes, as opposed to deeper venues. They spend a lot of the time in close proximity to your lines so don’t give them the chance to identify your tackle.
Top Tip
Get your rods prepped before anyone else; whether that’s in the morning or early afternoon. Most anglers prep them early evening before bed, so if yours are out and quiet, you never know an early bite might be on the cards as they funnel them into your quiet, safe zone due to all the commotion they’re causing.
Don’t be afraid of giving them some bait if you feel like they’re feeding hard. On the flip side, nicking them out on singles can be a better option if the fishing is tricky.
There is no set recipe for success, you need to assess the situation, the time of year etc.
In summary, I fish it one of two ways. Chasing them around the lake, if the situation allows, or setting my traps and baiting over the top tightly. Generally, when you get one at Sandhurst, you’re likely to get more!
Some of Sandhursts jewels
Sandhurst Lake Rules
Verdict
Sandhurst has a lovely feeling and atmosphere to it. I love fishing the venue, it has everything that a carp angler could want in a lake.
Please Note: If you would like to view the fishery this needs to be arranged by prior appointment.
Elliott Gray
Elliott Gray, owner of Cypography, is a well-respected carp angler. He is known for catching big carp up and down the country and has a passion for both photography and filming.