Having made a comeback in many areas, rudd are now far more widespread than they were a decade or two ago, and the number of venues producing these stunning fish to specimen sizes continues to grow. Here are some of the best places to go fishing for them...
GRAND WESTERN CANAL, TIVERTON, DEVON
This beautiful, weedy and largely shallow canal holds some cracking rudd, our own Dom Garnett having caught a number of ‘twos’ from there in recent seasons. The more remote sections are especially good for stalking, while the Greenway length has plenty of more accessible swims. Waggler-fished bread, corn or caster all work well, as does a fly fishing approach. Day tickets are £6.
More info: www.tivertonanglingclub.com
BURTON FARM FISHERY, NUNEATON, WARKS
Of the five on-site lakes, Woodpecker is the best bet. Lots of big silvers were removed from the Specimen Lake last winter and placed in here. It’s a 1.5-acre, horseshoe-shaped water, with 24 pegs on the island facing outwards. Try casters on the waggler, feeding over the top with a catty, to pick out the better stamp rudd. Day tickets are £8.
More info: 07795 015303, www.burtonfarmfishery.co.uk
BURWELL AND REACH LODES, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
East Anglia attracts anglers from far and wide every summer in search of 3lb-plus fish. Burwell Lode and Reach Lode, which link up with the River Cam, are perfect for getting off the beaten track and finding unpressured fish. Both are only 6ft-10ft deep throughout, so it’s easy fishing with floatfished bread or corn. Stay mobile until you find the fish. It can’t be fished until June 16, but get your boots on now, grab some loosefeed and start priming a few spots – it’s a highly productive tactic, especially early in the mornings or at dusk. Prices: Day tickets £7 on the bank, £6 in advance.
More info: 01223 234616, www.cambridge-fpas.co.uk
GILLMANS LAKE, SOUTH CERNEY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
A mature 1.5-acre lake that holds many coarse species, including rudd to over 2lb. It’s 4ft-5ft deep all over, with a central island, and recently received a huge stocking of rudd netted out of the adjoining Franklins Lake (a carp water). Float tactics with corn or a ‘wag and mag’ approach will bring plenty of bites. Also has two disabled swims and a toilet block on-site. Day tickets are £10.
More info: www.scac.org.uk
UPPER FARM FISHERY, CHINNOR, OXFORDSHIRE
This secluded and very pretty one-acre lake is split into two parts connected by a narrow channel. Plenty of good rudd are present among other quality silverfish. It only has 20 pegs, so check availability on the website beforehand. Day tickets are £10, with concessions available. Swims must be booked online beforehand.
More info: www.upperfarmhenton.co.uk
TAUNTON TO BRIDGWATER CANAL, SOMERSET
A great water to suit the roving approach, whether you try float tactics, freelined bread or even a fly. There are rudd throughout, including some to 2lb-plus, with the weedier, less disturbed parts of the canal towards Bridgwater especially good. Day tickets are £7, but weekly (£20) and season tickets also available covering all the club’s waters (£27.50). Concessions are available too.
More info: www.tauntonanglingassociation.co.uk
KENNET AND AVON CANAL, DEVIZES, WILTSHIRE
There are some very good rudd in this largely underfished canal. Devizes AA controls 15 miles of fishing, and areas to the east of the town, where the canal averages around 12m wide, are arguably the best bet. Pole or waggler tactics, with light lines and bread, maggots or corn on the hook, will guarantee you plenty of bites. Day tickets are £6, juniors £3.50.
More info: www.devizesaa.org.uk
LLYN-Y-GORS FISHERY, ANGLESEY, WALES
Head for Pine and Pleasure Lakes, targeting the marginal lily pads and reeds. The former match water, Pleasure Lake, holds the best rudd of the three (as well as some fantastic roach and perch). Try shallow pole and waggler tactics with strung-out shotting patterns. Day tickets are £10-£12.
More info: www.llynygors.co.uk
EXETER CANAL, EXETER, DEVON
This relatively wide and deep venue, six miles long, has a record of 2lb-plus rudd from the Lime Kilns and Topsham areas. Go looking for pods of big fish under the surface or, failing that, fish close-in with either a waggler or the feeder until you connect with a shoal. Day tickets are £8 from the website. Annual club books are also available.
More info: www.exteranglingassociation.co.uk
RIVER LARK, LITTLEPORT, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
If a rudd personal best is what you’re after, and you live within striking distance of Cambridgeshire, then joining Cambridge Fish Preservation and Angling Society is a must. Its numerous stretches of the River Cam produce big fish to well over 3lb each season, but the club also runs a stretch of the River Lark at Prickwillow, from where rudd to just under that weight have been reported in the past few years. Day tickets are £6 in advance or £7 on the bank. Concessions £3. Fishing is allowed from June 16.
More info: 01223 234616, www.cambridge-fpas.co.uk
LAKESIDE FISHERY, HORNCASTLE, LINCOLNSHIRE
Among the many species in the two-acre Main Lake are some very big rudd and roach, which in the past have been taken to over 3lb. Just about any of the 12 pegs on this former brick quarry can produce the goods, and the venue also offers a range of accommodation, including a cabin and a static caravan. Day tickets are £8 for two rods, but make sure you call ahead to book.
More info: 01507 578330, www.lakesidefishery.co.uk
FRENSHAM GREAT POND AND FRENSHAM LITTLE POND, SURREY
In terms of sheer numbers of good rudd, you’ll struggle to find a venue that holds more than these two waters, both of which have an estate lake feel. Great Pond is 60 acres and Little Pond half that size, but both have produced rudd to over 3lb, and plenty of bites almost come guaranteed. They hold lots of tench too. These both being shallow lakes with maximum depths of under 6ft, floatfishing with corn, maggots or casters can work well, but if you struggle to get through the smaller fish, try a 10mm pop-up boilie. No day tickets are available, but a club book costing £160 will give you access to the club’s 30 other fisheries too, 10 of which are rivers. OAPs/disabled tickets cost £80, juniors £30, valid for 12 months from date of purchase.
More info: www.farnhamanglingsociety.com
BRANDESBURTON NO3 & NO4 PONDS, EAST YORKSHIRE
There are numerous venues containing good rudd within Hull and District AA’s impressive portfolio, including Brickyard Pond and Motorway Pond, but head to this eight-acre fishery for the chance of a rudd well over 2lb. With features in abundance and no shortage of lilies and reed beds, it’s a lovely place to fish, and the stocks will respond well to a range of tactics on the pole, waggler or feeder. And if the rudd aren’t biting, there are big numbers of perch and other silvers present. Club books are £50 a year, £36 for OAPs and £10 for juniors – these give access to more than 15 stillwaters, four river stretches and two canals.
More info: www.hdaafishing.co.uk
SUMNERS PONDS, W SUSSEX
The venue’s Farm Pond, which is a small but mature lake, holds some decent rudd and roach to well over 2lb, which can be taken on the usual floatfishing tactics with corn, caster or bread hookbaits. There are also perch to over 4lb present. A great venue for disabled anglers, thanks to the purpose-built access platform next to the car park. Day tickets are £12, £8 for juniors and concessions.
More info: www.sumnersponds.co.uk/fishing
RIVER NENE, OUNDLE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Many coarse species seem to be thriving in the Nene, with ceiling weights for barbel, chub and perch all climbing steadily over recent seasons. Rudd fit firmly within that bracket, too, and if you find a pod of fish, there’s every chance there’ll be a few ‘net fish’ present! Wellingborough and District Nene AC controls some good areas, including the stretch between Oundle Marina and Princess Lake. Fire out lumps of crust and keep walking until you see fish taking them off the surface, before introducing a float rig with a chunk of flake on the hook. Annual club books cost £50, £35 for seniors, £10 juniors.
More info: www.wdnac.org.uk
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