Longleat Top Lake
One of the most experienced carpers, Rob Hughes gives you the low down on one of his favourite local waters
I’m pretty lucky in that I live just down the road from one of the best winter day ticket waters in the South West, Longleat Top Lake. It’s a brilliant place to get a few bites and whilst it can get quite busy at the weekends, particularly through the warmer months, it’s an absolutely stunning looking place with some beautiful looking fish.
I must say that I only fish the odd session there when I want to get a bend in the rod and it’s a brilliant autumn and winter water for just that. As with any winter water you’ve got to get your tactics right and I've seen quite a few getting them very wrong - straight boilies are not productive!
Roughly seven acres in size it is shallow at one end and deeper at the dam end. There’s an island towards the shallows and it’s a great area in the warmer months. As the cold gets hold the fish migrate down towards the dam end, but don’t be fooled into thinking they are only there. The bottom three pegs on each side are the usually the most productive when it’s really cold, but the bigger fish are often caught a little further up the lake.
When it’s dry you can drive to the swims but once it gets wet it’s a no-no and you have to walk down the field, which can be a fair trek. There’s a stye to get over if you want to fish the far bank and the mud is really bad making pushing a barrow tricky when it’s wet. It’s up hill on the way back as well, so my advice is to travel light.
Gates open to the park at 7am and you can’t get in before then. You can get out after dark, but to be honest my fish all came in the daylight and darkness in the winter is less productive. Tickets are paid for on the bank - so have your cash ready.
There’s also a gentlemen’s agreement that if there is a queue at the gate, whoever is there first gets first choice - so please respect the rules and the regulars, speak to the others in the queue and don’t charge off and peg jump!
The vital information you need...
Biggest resident: There is a common that hovers around the 30lb mark called Shadow
Average fish size: Mid-double
Rough fish stock: Loads! Not sure of the numbers but a few hundred for sure and most of them are like new pins
Going bait: PVA bags, Sticks and bright baits work best in the cold.
Local tackle shop: Steve's Tackle, Warminster High Street. 10 mins away from the venue (limited stock as a general shop) The Tackle Company in Melksham is the best local carp shop (20 mins away)
Takeaways: There are a few snack bars on-site and a brilliant pub a short walk away
Rod limit: Three rods
Location: Just outside Warminster well signposted off the A36 Warminster by-pass. Sat Nav BA12 7NW
Contact: Nico on 07889 625999 – between the hours of 8am and 6pm only
Website: www.longleat.co.uk/about/fishing
Prices: £10 for a day, £20 for a 24 hour ticket
Facilities: Toilets and snack bar
Known autumn areas/swims: The island is a great surface/stalking area and the middle stretch is good for both bottom baits and Zigs. The dam end on both sides is productive but can get very muddy in winter.
Rob's top tip: “Regular re-casting to find the fish is a must and once you know where they are, put a bag on them."