Sandhurst Lake, Hampshire

A very interesting venue with shedloads of big fish situated in the carp fishing Mecca which is Yateley.

Big carp in the historic Yateley area!

A venue that provides action on a range of tactics, but don't be fooled into thinking it's easy!
Overall
Score

Scenery

Big Fish Potential

Fish Condition

On Site Facilities

Swim Comfort

Value For Money

Sandhurst Lake Key Details


Day ticket, syndicate or holiday booking: Day tickets or exclusive lake bookings
Realistic catch rate: Several big fish in a session possible
How much: 2 rods 12 hours - £25.00 2 rods 24 hours- £30.00 3 rods 12 hours- £30.00 3 rods 24 hours- £35.00
Best swim(s): The Pipes, 9,10,11 all worth a go
How do I get a ticket: visit website for booking and phone number - www.sandhurstlake.co.uk or phone 07766 416223
Skill level to catch: Intermediate to experienced
How busy is it: Plenty of room
Location: Sandhurst, Yateley, Hampshire, GU47 9DA
Can you drive to the swims: No
Best method: Keeping mobile
On site facilities: Toilet
Best bait: Baitworks Atlantic Heat
Nearest tackle shop: Yateley Angling, Yateley
Ideal fishing range: Up to 70yrd-80yrd
Average size: 25lb
Max realistic size: 45lb plus

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.

Elliott Gray

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.

Sandhurst Lake, Hampshire

Sandhurst Lake, Hampshire

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.

Sandhurst Lake, Hampshire

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.

Sandhurst Lake, Hampshire

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.

Sandhurst Lake, Hampshire

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.

Sandhurst Lake, Hampshire

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.

Sandhurst Lake, Hampshire

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!

Sandhurst Lake, Hampshire

Some of Sandhursts jewels

Sandhurst Lake Rules


Catch & release only?: Yes!
Are there swim boundaries: Not as such, sensible fishing
Can you drive to swims: Anglers on Road Bank can drop kit off and then park in car park
Are bait boats allowed?: No
Are guests allowed?: Only partner or child but must be booked prior
Bait rules: No particles or shelf life boilies, no tiger nuts, no zigs, no maggots
Hook pattern rules: None
Fish care rules: Unhooking mats compulsory, no carp sacks, fish safety equipment must be dry upon entering
Parking rules: In parking areas only, gear can be dropped off on Road Bank
Rig rules: Leadcore up to 1m only, fixed leads prohibited
Can I use spods/spombs?: Yes
How many rods?: Three
Are dogs allowed?: Yes on a lead
How many zigs allowed: NONE
Can you wade?: Only to land fish

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.

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