News
The Wells Catfish
The Wells catfish is the largest freshwater fish in Europe. The largest caught in the UK was in Essex, a 97lb specimen. There are many specimens in the UK over 50lb.
Pondwood Fisheries netted a 42 pounder in 2007. Since then, several catfish weighing over 40lb have been caught at Pondwood Fisheries. The record for a landed fish can be found on the Forum under Gallery and Catfish.
The largest catfish ever caught on a rod (not a Wells) was taken from the Banude and took 5 hours to land. It weighed in at 202lb. The largest ever caught (not with a rod) was a staggering 660lbs with a body length of 16ft (in Russia of course, the home of the best cats in the world). There are many ideas and thoughts on how and when to catch catfish and I can only relate to the cats at Pondwood Fisheries. These have been caught at all times of year, although better results have been during warmer weather. Some reports state that early morning or late evening is the best time. This is not the case at Pondwood - the smaller cats (between 2 and 30lb) are caught throughout the day. A 37 pounder has been caught at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
The best results so far have been on Mackerel or Luncheon meat but no doubt you will all have your own ideas. Please note that Boilies are not permitted on the complex
Catfish spawn 11th generation
The catfish have now spawned their 8th generation. Weights this year for each generation have been as follows: 1 - 1lb, 2 - 3lb, 3 - 5lb, 4 - 12lb, 5 - 19lb, 6 - 25lb, 7 - 30lb+, 8-35+, 9-40+. 10 & 11 be sure you have adequate tackle. You can be assured of at least one of these weights fishing the Island Lake.
Use appropriate tackle for these casts as many rigs are being snapped causing not only loss of the fish and the rig but also discomfort to the fish.
Catfish Update
The catfish are now being caught in great numbers with the record catch of 76 cats in one day, seven of them being in the 30lb range. They are about to spawn for the 12th year running. As many of you know, hook baits only are allowed on this lake. This method not only ensures that pollution is kept to a minimum but that the fish will choose your bait rather than the mountains of unnecessary bait that is pointlessly thrown in by the brainwashed angler.
Cafe Information
Our cafe is now up and running under new management. As before, it opens at weekends and on Bank Holidays.
For matches etc you can book breakfast by calling the Pondwood Farm office or sending us an email.
All six non-attendees have been banned from the list in accordance with our usual policy. Anyone banned from the list is required to visit Mick in person should they wish to be reinstated. This will be at Mick's discretion.
Pike
Sometime around 1999 an angler from Remenham Angling Club hooked into a large pike on the Snake at Pondwood. He did not land the fish due to its power and size but said he estimated it to be around 20lb in weight. In 2004 the Snake was electro-netted to remove some of the pike as there were now too many and they were causing concern to the match anglers. 21 pike were removed in all, the largest being 16lb with 13 doubles. All these fish were removed from Pondwood and taken to Mid-Kent Fisheries, who did the electro-netting.
The weekend of 17 June saw the return of "Jaws". This is the name given to the pike by Jason King, a bailiff at Pondwood Fisheries. A match angler with Feltham Piscatorials was fishing a single pellet and was astounded when it was taken by a large pike. He was also snapped up by this large fish. Jason was at the swim with the angler as it had attracted some spectators. The pike surfaced for a while and Jason, who is himself a pike angler, said it had a huge mouth and estimated its weight at around 30lb.
2011 saw a large Pike captured and thought dead. It weighed 33lb 4oz and survived her ordeal of a double triple hooked lure wedged in her mouth. Lures are banned at Pondwood for this very reason.
Match Fishing Update
The Snake continues to produce many good weights and is fast becoming a renowned venue. Bookings are constantly being placed so if you want a match on the Pondwood Snake then get in fast to save disappointment. The new Woodland Lake is also becoming popular with many clubs having produced astounding weights in January 2011 being when it was first opened.
Pondwood Forum:
A fun forum that is updated on a regular basis by those who fish at Pondwood. Not only can you keep in touch with catch rates and methods but all you need to know about match fishing, Night fishing including dates can be found here.
When the season for Pike fishing comes around there will be restrictions. You will not be able to fish for Pike without first getting permission. With the Pike at Pondwood reaching such great weights it would be a shame to subject the larger or for that matter any of the pike to something stupid like an unacceptable lure used by someone that does not know or does not care.