Wintons Fishery, Sussex

Rigs and Tactics

Most of the standard cat baits work at Wintons on their day, from the halibut pellets, meat, squid and livebait caught from the lakes are allowed.

Dedicated cat tackle is a must. 4 or 5lb test curve rods, 30lb line, mono only, no braided mainline.

Heavy baiting is counter productive. If your bottom bait fishing a handful of halibut pellets and smaller food offerings is enough, each time you take the boat out. Keep it simple.

Simple hair rigs tied with a good strong braid hook link, such as Catmaster RT work for me, strong barbless hooks such as Eagle Waves, Catmaster RT pellet hooks, sized to suit the bait. I like to keep it strong and simple, these cats test all your tackle.

Trokar Eagle Claw Octopus hooks are used under my MSR for live baits, as sharp as they come and the gape is wide enough to dorsal hook a live with plenty of point showing.

There are a few favoured pegs, however, all can produce on the day.

Most catfish baits work well, as it is a two rod limit on the venue I tend to fish one on pellet and one on chorizo, both with a yellow pop up for a bit of visibility, cats can pick out colours at night, it is a misconception that they are nearly blind.

Speak to the bailiffs, have a wander around the lake and chat to the anglers, people are quite happy to discuss tactics.

Equipment and Tackle

Keep it strong and simple, if the cats are feeding, most baits will pick them up, a lot of anglers never vary from a pellet approach and have multiple catches.

Fish care being paramount I would firstly say a dedicated catfish mat is essential.

A big weigh sling too, I use the Tracker XXL retainer.

Definitely dedicated catfish rods and reels, there’s no point in hooking a PB, only to leave it in the water.