Current Issue

If it hasn’t been wet and windy it’s been freezing cold and that’s made any sort of fishing on any venue very difficult so far in 2024. On this month’s front cover we feature Nick Speed and inside you can read his top advice and tips for catching on snake lakes when conditions are very much against you. There’s an art to getting the most out of your peg at this time of year and Speedy is a master at it so there are sure to be plenty of tips you can take away from this one to help you win matches at this time of year.

Also in this issue, we have Alex Dockerty fishing a live match at Lindholme Lakes in early January on a bitterly cold and wet day, to see how he approaches a feeder and bomb only match. This format of match is very popular in the north and Alex has an enviable record on the feeder and bomb as well as at Lindholme Lakes, so seeing how he approaches it, his timings and his overall thinking as the match progresses is one not to be missed.

Also in this issue we have features with Matt Parsons who is fishing Todber Manor, there’s part one of David Haynes in conversation with Matt Godfrey, Grant Albutt is fishing the maggot feeder at Moorlands Farm, Phil Canning is pole fishing at Meadowlands, Richard Chave is tackling a tricky Kennet & Avon Canal, Dave Coster is roach fishing in the Fens and Graham West is fishing with bread for carp, but not in a way you’d expect. We’ve also got more from regular contributors Andy Power, Tom Pickering, John Brooks, Kye Jerrom and Matt Godfrey.

We also have all the details you need for our 2024 events so if you’re interested in entering the Shimano Aero Leger Cup, any of the Sonubaits veterans matches, the Match Fishing Subscriber Classic or the Garbolino Club Angler of the Year here’s all the info you need.

On the tackle front Alex Bones gets to fish with Garbolino’s new 10ft and 11ft Essential Legend Method feeder rods, we take a close look at some excellent luggage from Preston Innovations, there’s the New Gear section of course and finally you could win £262.45 worth of smart Milo luggage in our latest competition.

EDITOR’S PICKS

THE SAFE ZONEAs the effects of winter take hold, Nick Speed ventures to an old haunt to show how to tempt a few bites from a freezing cold snake lake.

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AGAINST THE CLOCKWe recently joined Alex Dockerty at Lindholme Lakes on a cold, wet and miserable January day, where he was fishing a midweek bomb and feeder only open match.

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DON’T IGNORE MAGGOT FEEDERSIn January and February when the water is practically liquid ice, the use of more traditional blockend feeders and maggots can see you catch loads more compared to using micros and Methods. Drennan’s Grant Albutt is your guide to this great but forgotten tactic.

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USE YOUR LOAFWhen the water temperatures are near freezing, getting a bite is always difficult! We caught up with Graham West to find out about the bait trick that has been catching him plenty in the cold.

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WINTER SILVER FISH BONANZAVeteran match angler Dave Coster demonstrates how fishing short in winter can boost your silver fish catches.

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BE PREPARED, OR PREPARE TO FAIL!With an upcoming winter series around the corner, Matt Parsons needs to get back in tune with the rigs and baits he’ll need to catch quickly at Dorset’s prolific Todber Manor.

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