Spitfire Pool, Norfolk

See Lewis on film with The Wood Common below!

You’ll need these for your trip to Spitfire!

What is Spitfire Pool like, when did you fish it?

I first managed to get onto Spitfire Pool in 2015. I chose to fish there because it is arguably home to one of the best looking, most-sought after common carp in the UK. A fish known as The Wood Common, which had done over 50lb a few times. By 2015, it had only been caught eight or nine times.

The lake is only limited to 16 weeks a year, 8 in the Spring and 8 in the Autumn, so the fish are relatively unpressured and so are always in tip top condition. I was fortunate enough to secure a week in the Spring of that year, costing around £800 for six nights fishing. You are able to split this between up to three people, but I chose to do it alone, mainly to give myself the best chance of catching with no competition and very little pressure. I convinced myself to pay the money by comparing it to a week in France…except with Spitfire I had the chance of a UK 50!

What’s the stock like?

When I first went there were about 13 carp in there. The Wood Common was around the 50lb mark and there was another incredible looking common known as The Long Common which was around 43lb ish, a rare visitor to the bank.

There was also a few more over 30, some mirrors too. Since then, Rich Wilby, the owner, has added a few hand picked stockies taking it to around 15/16 right now.

It is pretty low stock really, but with the lake only being an acre you are never far away from them. That said, those fish know every inch of that one area and so it can make them very aware of their surroundings particularly when anglers are fishing for them. There are times when I could’ve been fooled that there were no carp in there at all, as they concealed themselves under the weed, lilies and other features. Unless that sun comes out it can be very hard to find the fish!

Security and Facilities

Both lakes are fully enclosed with 5ft chain link fencing that has been designed for the anglers own security and most importantly to keep otters out. There are two ample hard standing, secure car parking areas very close to both waters.The fishery has also built a new spacious toilet and shower block with fresh running water at the back off the car parking areas.

How do you settle on a swim at Spitfire?

There aren’t really any swims as such on Spitfire. There are just gaps in the foliage. It is a very natural lake and left to let nature take its course. I don’t think there are necessarily better areas than others. It really is down to the weed growth. It can take over and consume huge amounts of the lake, in fact sometimes there is only one area that is fishable, making that a huge factor that actually dictates where to fish.

The carp move around a lot. I have followed them around countless times from corner to corner, at times moving into all four at one point or another. In summary I wouldn’t say that there is a best area. The key is to keep mobile, try and anticipate when and where they will move next and have your traps ready and in place before they get there. In my experience fishing where they are, on top of them, doesn’t work. They will spook, easily!

The first year I fished it I was very fortunate with the weather; some nice warm sunshine. Consequently, it allowed me to climb trees to get a good clear view. I also took a set of ladders with me, again, giving me a high vantage point to spot fish in the clear weather, and also to build a clear picture of their patrol routes and favourite haunts. The Wood Common in particular, I was able to watch its patrol route and identify it using a certain channel time and time again, which eventually provided its downfall.

Where is best in Summer & Winter?

The lake is shut in both. The only fishing on the lake is in the Spring and Autumn months to ensure that the lake and fish receive plenty of rest keeping them in top condition. Just to reiterate, they can turn up anywhere on the day so keep your eyes peeled, this is the most important factor. Look for fins breaking the surface, backs out the water, I would find the Long Common nearly everyday as it fed and moved, with its tail wafting on the surface like a lily pad in the wind – it is a bit of a character that one, and incredibly difficult to tempt.

What’s the best rig/bait to use?

I can only talk about my own experiences on the lake as no doubt other anglers have used other rigs to good success on there. I have now done three 3x week sessions on there over the years, catching six fish. Every fish has succumbed to a hinge stiff rig, in conjunction with a white Northern Special pop-up hook bait. I just use some of the Fox ready-tied Chod Rigs with a size 4 hook on and then attach my boom section, which is Camotex Semi Stiff. Most casts are underarm flicks, or even placing rigs off the tips so you don’t need mega stiff hook lengths.

I have never filled it in with bait. You are only fishing for a bite at a time and so I only ever introduced a handful of bait over the top. Both times that I landed the big girl, they were on the same tactics.

Spitfire does contain a large population of Rudd. Consequently, you need to ensure that you are employing a rig that is able to reset itself. They will batter the rig trying to remove the pop-up. By using a hinge, the point of the hook will always have some sort of protection as it wafts above the lake bed. If you opt for a bottom bait on the gravel, you could be asking for trouble. They are that ravenous that your rig may be deemed useless in less than an hour on a bottom bait, because the hook could easily burr and blunt.

What’s the best bait and why?

Due to the huge population of nuisance Rudd, particles and pellets are a waste of time. Boilie only is definitely the way forward and hard ones at that. In fact, I believe that you can only use boilies now anyway. Any good quality freezer bait will work. When I first went there, I caught well using Mainline Hybrid over the top and when I last went there I used CC Moore Odyssey XXX that was enhanced with salt, to remove the moisture and harden them, whilst also giving them even more of a taste.

They are not big bait eaters, they spend most of their time eating natural food. Due to it being closed in summer, they can spend the whole summer eating natural food, they aren’t supplemented by boilies and pellets or anything, so get used to it. Big hits of bait would get left. Half a dozen baits around a rig is just enough.

Top Tips!

Don’t be in a rush to get your baited rods in the water. Spend time watching them, learning their habits and characteristics before hatching a plan. Climb the trees to watch their movements through your polaroids and take some step ladders. This enables you to get high if there are areas without climbing trees and honestly gave me a massive advantage, particularly when the sun comes out.

Use a reliable pop-up rig and don’t go crazy with the bait, you can’t take out what you’ve put in. Setup away from the fish and set your traps before they get there. Learn their patrol routes and try to think one step ahead of them.

Any other info

If you are lucky enough to land one, enjoy it. People that because it is only one area it will be easy, but let me tell you, more anglers on there blank than they do catch. Some very high profile, capable anglers have blanked on thee. So, if you’re lucky enough to land one, enjoy it, appreciate it, every fish in that lake is special. Good luck!

Spitfire Pool residents

Verdict

I will always hold this lake very close to my heart. It is very special fishing, in idyllic, stunning surroundings angling for several of the countries finest carp. Every capture here should be cherished.