Manor Farm Lakes situated near Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, just off the A1 is a fantastic Carp fishing day ticket water that we had been meaning to visit for a while as many of our customers in the shop visit there regularly. With five lakes to choose from on the complex I had a quick look at their online booking system and could soon see that Damsel Lake had no one booked on for a Monday night! Perfect I thought, so I booked on there as it was empty and headed over for my first ever visit to Manor Farm Lakes!
On arrival there was a day angler fishing in the corner near the toilets and as I pushed my barrow past he asked for a quick pic of a lovely 28lb Common he had just landed. The fish was immaculate and I couldn't help but think one like that would do tonight! After helping with the pics I quickly barrowed round and set up on a nice grassy point where some fish were showing - plus I'd be able to see lots of water from here.
Despite getting settled in quickly with 2 rods - both baited with Stickybaits Pineapple Pop ups in open water, nothing occurred until 1:30am when I awoke to a drop back, sliding into my wellies and half expecting a Bream or Tench I was pleasantly surprised when something pulled back on the other end! After a scrappy fight a lovely 20lb common rolled into the net and it was only then that I realised how cold it had become.
Everything in sight was completely covered in thick frost and ice making my fingers frozen solid as I took a couple of quick self takes. Unfortunately not much else occurred except a hook pull shortly after the initial take but it was good to have a go and if it hadn't have dropped to minus 2 over night I think the action would have kept coming.
Check out how we got on in the video below:
Happy hunting
Mickey
