Hot Hauling Holiday Contest At Cretelakes
Angler's Mail|November 19, 2019
Billy reports on how he and Jamie caught a stack of big carp during a week-long contest.
Billy & Jamie
Hot Hauling Holiday Contest At Cretelakes

THIS time last year we were delighted to be one of 23 pairs competing in a week-long holiday match at the famous Cretelakes.

In case you’re thinking that this venue must be situated on a Greek island, let me tell you that it’s not. Cretelakes is just over 50 miles north east of Paris, in France.

Having watched plenty of live feeds about the match on Facebook, we were buzzing to be a part of it.

The complex consists of five former gravel pits that were dug in the 1970s and stocked with a variety of species. After fully maturing, it was crafted into a carp fishing holiday complex, boasting stacks of big fish and excellent facilities.

Some of the lakes contain bigger carp than the others, so to make it a fair competition, the organiser, Martin Brown, and the on-site bailiffs mark the pegs on a map. Some of them are double swims, a lot are single swims next to each other, and then there are single swims on different lakes, splitting pairs apart.

Everyone knows the score before the match, and so the decision-making is based on the luck of the draw. One name from each pair gets pulled out of a hat, and then that person pulls out a ball with a peg number on it, which will either be a shared swim or separate swims, in which they must fish for the full duration of the event.

Anglers who know the complex will have a favourite place where they would like to fish, but last year Jamie and I had only seen online videos and read articles on Cretelakes. We weren’t sure which lake would produce the best action. We tackled swims 38 and 39 on Lake 5, which is the biggest one on the complex and holds the most carp. We exhausted ourselves, catching plenty of amazing carp, 51 in all, to a best of nearly 65 lb, for a 2,656 lb 11 oz total. It was enough for second place, winning us a trophy each and some prizemoney.

Esta historia es de la edición November 19, 2019 de Angler's Mail.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición November 19, 2019 de Angler's Mail.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE ANGLER'S MAILVer todo
Angler's Mail

Making Short Work Of Specimen Chub

It takes angling guide Kenny Parsons a few hours to drive from his home, near Bath, to his favourite Wessex rivers, but it doesn’t seem to bother him, as he just loves to catch big chub on feeder and fl oat tactics, his personal best standing at 7 lb 12 oz. One of his favourite methods for this cunning species is a maggot feeder with a short hook link.

time-read
8 minutos  |
January 14, 2020
Venues on the menu
Angler's Mail

Venues on the menu

Dave regularly switches between different types of venue, as he is convinced that it helps him become a better and far more versatile angler. Here is his guide on what to expect and how to tackle them.

time-read
4 minutos  |
January 14, 2020
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”
Angler's Mail

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”

In our new mini series, the physiotherapist will put you in the right frame of mind to help you achieve your angling dreams.

time-read
4 minutos  |
January 14, 2020
Angler's Mail

Search for a super stripy

They’ve done it! Robbie Northman and John Bailey have been on a long mission to catch a 4 lb perch. Robbie got there first, landing this specimen recently.

time-read
7 minutos  |
January 14, 2020
Angler's Mail

Pole position carping

The thinking carp angler offers his opinion, insight and advice every week exclusively here in Angler’s Mail. Col will help you become a wiser angler.

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 14, 2020
My best catch!
Angler's Mail

My best catch!

This week: Billy puts his newborn daughter on the scales after a productive winter carp session.

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 14, 2020
Huge zed after run of disasters
Angler's Mail

Huge zed after run of disasters

19 lb 4 oz monster zanderRiver boat fishing sessionSeries of calamities

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 14, 2020
Christmas stocking
Angler's Mail

Christmas stocking

The future of fishery management is a bright one, these BTEC Fish Husbandry students keen to help stock an Essex lake with carp over the Christmas holiday, including this 21 lb mirror.

time-read
5 minutos  |
January 14, 2020
Alien aquatic plants
Angler's Mail

Alien aquatic plants

In this final part of my special look at alien species, I have highlighted some invasive aquatic plants that have had an impact on waters, with an evaluation on the degree of threat that they pose, on a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest.

time-read
5 minutos  |
January 14, 2020
Angler's Mail

A guide's guide to guides

Canadian Jeff is a great guide, helping anglers to catch the fish of their dreams.

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 14, 2020