Canals across the country have some incredible fish to be caught and it is surprising we don't see more anglers on the bank, as very often, when you venture down onto the canal, you'll be the only angler there. Specimen ace James Champkin proved what monsters are lurking in these under-fished waterways when he landed this cracking pike.
"Having heard rumours about a big pike in the Grand Union Canal, I embarked on a prebaiting campaign through late January and February," he told us.
“Over the course of a few weeks, I baited an area near some moored boats with chopped mackerel and sardines, until excitement finally got the better of me and I had to give it ago."
“I had just a couple of hours to fish one drizzly morning and so I positioned two hookbaits – a smelt and a sardine – in the zone."
“At around 8.30am, I repositioned both rods. Shortly after the recast, the pencil float on my right-hand rod suddenly laid flat on the surface – the sardine had been picked up!"
“I wound down, made contact and struck, and the fish immediately erupted out of the shallow water."
“Having guided it into the net soon after that, I had a true canal monster sitting in front of me."
“At 27lb 15oz, it was quick but satisfying conclusion to my little adventure.”
THERE ARE SOME GREAT STRETCHES OF CANAL TO FISH IN THE UK.
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