Where to catch Zander in Northamptonshire

A great place to catch Zander in Northamptonshire?

Cutting a long story short the Whilton Locks stretch (near the go karting track) is absolutely chocker block full of zander (and pike).

I’m not talking a few handfuls in places around the area that you’ll have to search for, I’m talking everywhere, thousands of them and they go big too.

My first venture around the stretch for a few hours in winter resulting in a dozen zander landed up to 4 or 5lb with many more lost, not to mention several double figure pike.

A simple rig consisting of 2 small trebles on a wire trace and a free-lined sprat twitched slowly accounting for all the fish.

I’ve been there several times since and not once left disappointed, a friend of mine landed a zander around the 8lb mark.

The marina itself is full of fish, but you’re not allowed to fish in it (I think the bridge over the inlet is the boundary but check with the office) so a tactic that has worked for me is to throw some chum in the main canal area, go for a wonder around the stretch and then return later to as close to the marina as you’re allowed.

Lures haven’t really worked well for us, stick to wobbling dead-baits, you’ll catch right under your feet.

Keep your head down and don’t cast near the boats and you won’t annoy the locals.

Note: Please respect the residents who live in the Marina itself, this area is not fishable.

Don’t forget to take these with you: