A low turn-out at Basildon's Aquatels lake has seen a fall in catches -- but there have been rewards for those who made the effort.

Plenty of small roach and perch can be found on the back straight, duckboards, single willows and the beach, while day ticket anglers have also been getting among the large tench and bream.

There have been reports of a 5lb 10oz tench and bream to 5lb from the beach, while Ray Roberts landed 35lb of bream from the south beach and took tench to 7lb 2oz.

Steve Smith banked a specimen tench of 6lb and 8lb, while Lee Chamberlain had a good bag of skimmers, roach and perch.

Marc Maynard continued his impressive run with the carp, taking fish of 19lb and 20lb 4oz.

Michael Porter, 13, landed a 19lb ghost koi from the beach.

In the Essex Pool, Steve Hudson managed a 19lb 4oz mirror then took a 20lb 10oz mirror from the north beach. Also on the beach Rod Lewsey netted a 19lb 8oz fish, and Tony Prayel took a 15lb 5oz common.

Published Thursday August 19, 2004

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