A massive congratulations to Director of Catch, Steve Manley who beat his previous personal UK best by 14lbs with a 39lber from Nirvana’s Kracking Carp Lake!
Steve shared –
“It’s not every day you are lucky enough to achieve your new UK PB… this was very special, a very tricky venue that doesn’t give up its low stock residents easily. Solid bag via a baiting pole out to the corner of some lilly pads. Reel melted in the early hours and this was the result. The now named ‘Moo Moo’ mirror at 39lbs. Thank you Joe for being there to share in the moment and for hosting at the awesome Anglers Paradise!”
These hot summer nights and days seem to suit the wels catfish that dwell in the lakes at Anglers Paradise. Local angler Bruce Elston enjoyed a session fishing overnight on Anglers Eldorado’s catfish lake where he banked catfish of 16lb, 30lb 5oz, 36lb 10oz and 40lb 6oz.
George King for beating his personal best by 11lbs with a new PB of 34lbs 11oz from Nirvana’s Kracking Carp Lake.
George shared –
“I was fishing on the Kracking carp in the heat wave, at 1.30am the alarm had a few beeps and suddenly tore off!! I got out of bed like Usain Bolt! After a fierce battle, it slid into the net, at which point I realised it was my new PB at 34lb 11oz, beating my previous PB by 11lb!!
I’m absolutely buzzing to be in the 30 club, I can’t wait to come back very soon!! Thank you for the advice Ashley Bunning Complex fishery bailiff .”
Joe Dietrich fished Anglers Paradise’s Eldorado Catfish Lake to tempt 5 catfish the best scaling 63lb 9oz. The other cats weighed with a 47lb, 32lb, 27lb and 21lb along with 2 mid double carp! All from an overnight session on Eldorado Carp and Cat 2 (bottom lake) Best fish came at dusk and dawn.
I joined a group of friends at Anglers Paradise fishing the Eldorado day Ticket Catfish Lake. We had booked the lake for the weekend ensuring we would have exclusive use throughout our stay.
The weather forecast predicted high temperatures, unbroken sunshine and light winds, perfect for catfish based on Bruce Elston the groups organisers previous experience.
Due to other commitments I could only attend for the first full day of the session which reduced the need for bivvies and associated camping gear.
We met up on the Saturday morning off-loading a mountain of gear and assembling on the lakeside for a discussion on where to set up. This was based around likely location of fish and the focus on enabling a vital social aspect of the fishing.
By the time we had debated where to fish, tackled up and baited swims it was late morning and the sun was beating down from a cloudless sky upon calm waters. Lush summer growth surrounded the lake with many summer flowers in full bloom.
Five anglers two rods each. The wait began with a steady intake of cool water and snacks. Anticipation was high as we soaked up the sun with the England versus India Cricket match results punctuating the day.
The sight of a grass snake crossing the lake was appreciated by all present an indication of the rich diversity of nature provided by the vast complex of lakes nestled deep in the heart of Devon.
Whilst we all shared a deep passion for angling I think we all appreciate the vital role being with nature plays in supporting our mental health during these strange and challenging times.
It was late afternoon when Bruce’s bite indicator sounded the alarm as something moved off with his bait in the far margin. The rod hooped over as Bruce began persuading what was undoubtedly a good sized catfish to the waiting net. Large swirls in the lake raised expectations as Bruce put his tackle to the test. Eventually a large eel like shape emerged from the murky water and was coaxed over the waiting net to a round of congratulations.
The fish was kept in the net for a few moments whilst the unhooking mat and weigh sling were drenched with cool lake water. The scales were checked and zeroed and cameras switched on in readiness with some thought given to where the sun was and its likely impact with shadows etc.
This first cat of the weekend scaled 30lb 12oz and was one of five catfish to be landed by Bruce over the weekend.
Anticipation grew with the capture of this specimen catfish and it was a happy bunch of anglers who wound in their rods to savour a delicious pizza delivered by Bruce’s wife from the local Inn at Halwill Junction. https://www.thejunctioninnhalwill.co.uk/pizzamenu/
As the sun slowly sank below the horizon it was time for me to leave and head for home. The rest of the party remained and I was sure more catfish would grace their nets over the remainder of the weekend.
The following morning, I was delighted to check my phone and find an array of images showing catfish caught by Bruce and John Hughes. The total catch for the weekend was eight catfish. Bruce landing cats of 38lb 10oz, 37lb 10oz, 30lb 12oz, 22lb 5oz and 21lb 12oz. John Hughes banking three cats the best scaling 20lb 8oz and 15lb 4oz.
John Huges with 20lb 8oz catfish
Bruce with a 30lb plus catfish
Bruce with a fine catfish of 38lb 10oz
Despite Mitch, Ben and myself blanking it had been a pleasure to relax in Paradise with good company beneath a cloudless summer sky. Plans are already being made for a return next year or maybe sooner.
Paul Brennan who caught a PB 46lb 5oz Wels Catfish from Nirvana’s Specimen Cat Lake.
Paul shared –
“We came here last year where I caught my first ever 16lb catfish and knew we wanted to come back again with the intention of getting a new personal best. On the second night of fishing we went into the speci cat lake where I ended up catching 17lb trust me to catch 1lb more than last years…I wanted bigger as that was just a tease so for the third night stayed there again and at around 7 o’clock in the morning i had a nice wake up call of getting into the freezing cold water to bring in my catfish, after 20-30 mins it was worth it as it was finally in my net and Weighed 46.5lb. Thanks anglers paradise be back soon to get another big one.”
George West caught a 33lb Mirror from Nirvana’s Kracking Carp Lake.
George shared –
“So far the campaign is going ok, I’ve done about 8 trips and been lucky enough to net 4 carp, all be it 2 and 3 were the same fish a week apart! The pic attached is from last weekend, I managed to hook this one after an early morning swim move onto showing fish.
I fished a washing line set up to the far margin, placing the rig on a small flat area on the marginal shelf using the baiting pole. End tackle was a heavy drop off inline to a simple bottom bait hooklink with a 12mm krill active as a hookbait.
The fight was quite tense as by the time I lifted into the fish it had gone through a load of pads, however a slight change of line angle and steady pressure on the 20lb fluorocarbon got it moving again.
Bait was crushed krill active, 2mm krill pellet, sweet corn and pure calanus liquid.”
Well done to Karl Cartwright for catching a 42lb 8oz Mirror from Nirvana’s Day Ticket Kracking Carp Lake.
