Wintles World of Commercials

Wolfman Woody · May 20, 2004

Well hopefully not so controversial. I like these little waters, commercial or otherwise, that an bring a bit of fun into your lives. That's the best way to look at them.

You can try out a different approach to see if it works, a new bait, or new method. It doesn't say it will work on the regular fishery, but you might have more confidence in it and that's 99% of the hurdle.

Wait a minute - Mark Wintle, and angler of 35 years? Isn't that what the banner said of him one year ago or am I forgetting. Does this man not age at all? Who does he think he is? Peter Pan!

Baz · May 20, 2004

I don't fish comercials but do know of some in my area.
Good places for the matchmen to get 80lb bags of fish but not much else.
So doesn't that say something to you? namely in that they are overstocked puddles
where you can't fail to catch.
The ones that I know of, the anglers can be sat shoulder to shoulder around a square hole in the ground. I may have the wrong idea of what this thread is about but I couldn't for the life of me go to one of these places. But then I'm lucky/unlucky, in having no closed season in my area, so I can find much more pleasent surroundings if I want to.

Wolfman Woody · May 20, 2004

If they are carefully done Baz, they can be nice places to fish as well and you can blank. I've done it on one or two occasions.

It's a myth that they are all overstocked mud holes. That a picture that many elitist-tradionalists like to portray, but one that I visit (not a commercial, but every bit a good little lake) is a smashing little spot as you might find out.

Some people just don't like small lakes full stop and that's their choice.

Bit puzzled by your comment on the close season.

Newfie's Drool · May 21, 2004

I love the short spell I have on this type of venue. You can go down for a day and try various methods to see what happens with particular setups/baits and at the same time have lots of fun.
Some say you learn nothing when fishing these small lakes but how wrong can they be. Just one example is you can use a centrepin easily on most of them and with the sport that is nearly always guaranteed you can learn the basics from casting to playing. This will help you get the feel of the reels and gain confidence in their use so when you fish the rivers with a centrepin you feel more confident.
Another good point is the wildlife they attract. I look forward to feeding the ducks and the resident robins that willingly feed off the scraps you give them.

Mark Wintle · May 21, 2004

Baz,

The article was aimed at those anglers that are looking for easy fishing rather than specialist/experienced/expert anglers. For many new anglers nowadays, these are excellent starting waters.

I've fished these waters this spring with a similar attitude to Jeff and Stuart; for fun and to try out new gear. From now on though I'll be on much more challenging waters for the most part.

For Jeff's benefit, I'll try to get Graham to change my pre-amble to "for over 35 years", in case he thinks that I can't count!

Deck Monkey · May 21, 2004

I'm an experienced and, dare I say it, even an expert in some areas of angling yet I like commercials. Noy all commercials, of course, but then there are enough that you can pick carefully. I always pick out of the way places with a bit of peace and quiet and probably only catch 50% of the time as they are not always easy.

I agree that some places are, undoubtedly, over-stocked and unpleasantly crowded but we have a choice - if we don't like it we find somewhere else.

Lets remember that angling, like so much else, is a "horses for courses" kind of sport. And the point about commercials being good for novices is true to a point, but it is surely worth pointing out to novices that over-stocked puddles aren't good for the fish or their learning curve and therefore we should, as responsible consumers who have a choice, make a conscious decision to take our business elsewhere so that the owners of these places are forced to perhaps limit the numbers allowed on any given venue at once and perhaps even thin out the stocking density a little (althoug I guess thats not likely to happen!).

Wolfman Woody · May 21, 2004

It's alright Mark, you're forgiven for getting the years mixed up as you get older. I've now been fishing for fifty .... let's see now .... when was I born? ... Winter, long, long ago....... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Another point to bear in mind is that fish will only grow to a size to fit the space they are given. That's why aquarium fish and goldfish in bowls rarely grow to anything more than a few inches. I've got a Koi that must now be 24 years old as we've had him 22 years.

At first he grew until he reached about 1lb in weight and he stopped there for about 5 years. Then I re-dug the pond creating a new one four times the size and after a while he started to grow again until he reached the 6 pound mark. He has stopped growing again.

So, it's very difficult to have an "overstocked" lake or pond because fish have this ability to control their size. The puzzle is; how come the barbel in the tiny Ouze get so enormous?

Deck Monkey · May 21, 2004

True, but with too high a stocking density, although the fish will only grow to a sustainable size, the population as a whole becomes more susceptible to disease because there are so many more individuals to apss it between. There is an optimum density for all fish, although I don't have the figures to hand right now. Sorry. I'll go punsih myself for not having them here at work ;-)

Newfie's Drool · May 21, 2004

Disease is a problem with such high numbers of fish within some of these lakes and it can be brought on by various ways but that?s a risk the owners must accept unfortunately. You must keep a close eye on the fish so any early signs are picked up.
You should really have a mixture of fish within the fishery. You need to put predatory fish like perch, pike and maybe chub in to help cultivate the population.

Jeff is spot on, the fish population/size will control its self in the long run.

Deck you can?t force the owners into removing fish, some may not be able to remove them. If you have had a disease in the past then moving/selling or even given them to the EA is not an option.
What is the optimum density for all fish? I would think many equations are involved in that one. I will agree that some are heavily fished but they run them as a business and do very well. If you could purchase a fishery and make say ?60000 a year would you not do it?

Good Old Boy · May 21, 2004

I fish commerical waters during the close season mainly and find them great fun espically to test out new bait idea's etc.
Some waters are overstocked i feel but none the less its great for the yonger generation to learn and catch the bug of fishing, The added advantage of commericals is there is always someone around if the kids do run into trouble with bigger fish, i have helped a few in my time and to see ther faces is magnificant, sadly rivers can be a dangerous place for youngsters but then i suppose it is down to common sense really.

jason fisher · May 21, 2004

there is one good commercial that i now of it's called lymington lakes and it's in the cotswolds, there are quite a few lakes there and some of them don't have any carp in them at all.
some good rudd there too.

Graham Whatmore · May 22, 2004

Jason, its Lemington lakes and very good they are too as is Chad which I fish quite often.

Baz, I think you're being a bit over-critical of commercial lakes. To call them puddles is a bit over the top as well as incorrect. Do you ever wonder where most youngsters learn to fish these days? Also these 'puddles' go out of their way to provide conveniences for elderly and disabled anglers.

Come on mate think again eh!

jason fisher · May 22, 2004

i wasn't far off graham.

Wintles World of Commercials

Wolfman Woody

Guest

Baz

Banned

Wolfman Woody

Guest

Newfie's Drool

Member

Mark Wintle

Well-known member

Deck Monkey

Guest

Wolfman Woody

Guest

Deck Monkey

Guest

Newfie's Drool

Member

Good Old Boy

Guest

jason fisher

Guest

Graham Whatmore

Senior Member

jason fisher

Guest