PB zander

[gleni]

New to this forum so thought I'd start off by putting on my PB zander also caught from a kayak - from the River Severn - 13lb 4oz - couple of years ago now. Caught on a trotted roach deadbait below an inline float. Not managed a zed on the kayak since!

[esoxuk]

That's a belter, I've been trying around 5 years for a double off the Trent almost there a couple of times but as yet no coconut.

[Izzetafox]

Cracking fish Glen.

I have been wanting to get on the Severn with the yak for years but I don't know the area or clubs well enough to find a place where I could fish.

Well done though.

Terry

[gleni]

Terry,

Access to the river is very limited - if you PM me I can let you know where I put mine in for free - a lesser know public access spot with parking. Many stretches are controlled by clubs, including the BAA, that don't officially let you fish their stretches from a kayak, but as we know the law is very sketchy and apparently if you drift while fishing then technically this is allowed even if you don't belong to the clubs that fish the banks. I always steer well clear of anglers on the bank and paddle to the other side when I see them - most are fine not had any maggots or leads fired at me yet. Big problem with the Severn is the constant boat traffic, especially rowers who seem to think they own the river - you have to keep an eye out and get out of there way. Other canoeists are fine and quite friendly. For this reason these days I prefer the relative peace of the Warwickshire Avon, where I have had zeds to 8 and half pound on the bank, but only pike on the kayak to about 12lb, but still fun. New approach I intend to try out when I can get back onto the rivers (flooding has been constant this winter) is drifting down river twitching dead-baits with a float - check out Totally Awesome fishing on Youtube - tried it on the bank on lakes and it works, but does need clearish water. Ah, I think I can remember what clear water looks like!  

[Izzetafox]

Glen,

You are dead right about the drifting mate. The whole thing is complex. Fishing rights extend to the mid-point of the river and it makes no difference if you are anchored or drifting you are liable to pay and comply with club rules. Many boaters think they are exempt when they aren't.
The big thing is knowing who controls each bank. The Severn is a difficult one although there have been many videos of Matt Hayes fishing from his boat.

The Warwickshire Avon is a lovely stretch of water although I have only ever fished the stretch just above Stratford. I have often taken my wife and grandson there for an upstream paddle launching from the free carpark just outside of town. The Avon is a river I have been wanting to get to know better it's not too far from me in Leicester. I know Gary Palmer spends a lot of time guiding on there with great success. Again I think it's all down to consent and local knowledge.

I approached the BAA and they said I would have to join up. Then propose a change in their rules at the next AGM. Although he thought it unlikely to go through.

I know a few of us would like to try the Avon for zeds and pike perhaps we should sort something out.

Terry

[gleni]

Terry,
I only know two stretches of the Avon: coincidentally the same stretch fished by Matt Hayes and Mick brown years ago on 'Wet Nets' around Eckington and also around Pershore. The good thing about both stretches is usually at least one bank has no fishing rights and when you are in the middle of nowhere there aren't really any bank anglers, so you are fishing virgin water. There aren't as many zeds in there as when Wet Nets was filmed but you can find them if you spend enough time on the water, which I don't really. I would be up for a session around Eckington when the river sorts itself out and it is mild enough - might be ok in a couple of weeks time.
Cheers
Glen

[Izzetafox]

It may have to wait from my perspective. I have a demo with the PAC on the 28th Feb and I am away for two weeks in the Dominican Republic from the 9th of March.

Mind you with the way the rivers are it may not be till April that they are fit to fish again. Another end of season messed up.

Mind you Glen we are hoping to have a mini meet over at Rudyard April/May time if you fancy a try for the pike.

Terry

[Daz]

lovely fish, well done that man
Daz