Basildon's Gloucester Park Lake has received a further fish injection with the introduction of more than 200lb of roach, enhancing the already tremendous winter roach sport.

Although none of the fish in this latest stocking are particularly large specimens their pedigree is first class.

"They came from an Essex carp fishery where the roach grow to over two and a half pounds," said park fishing boss Mick Toomer.

"Previous stockings of roach from the same source have certainly found Gloucester Park to their liking, showing excellent growth rate."

Eric Newman and Phil Carter took full advantage of the excellent sport at Gloucester Park to land a 33lb roach haul between them.

The pair fished the cockle bank, sitting only five yards or so apart. They fed one area between them, and started off taking smaller fish on maggot baits and pole tactics.

As soon as the duo had fish feeding confidently they switched to caster baits, presenting them on the outer edges of the feeding area hoping to locate better quality fish. The tactic proved highly successful, resulting in a steady stream of quality roach.

When they weighed their catches Eric included a specimen of 1lb 1oz in his 17lb 4oz haul. Phil has slightly fewer fish, but numbered individual specimens of 0lb 15oz, 1lb 3oz and 1lb 5oz amongst his 15lb 12oz catch.

Carp angler Tim Noble took a cracking 20lb 12oz mirror carp when he fished the point at Billericay's Lake Meadows.

Published Wednesday, January 22, 2003

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