Details of your catches:

Zero

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

Tried just about everything. The fish were held up in large beds of lillies far way from the accommodation during the day and came out at night but were not taking bait.

Were the facilities what you expected?

Yes accommodation wise

Were you happy with them?

Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Yes but only if he was prepared. See comments

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Yes but with caution. See comments

General Comments:

This is a lovely venue, the accommodation is great and the owners very friendly and nothing is too much trouble. I felt sorry for Gilles because he tried so hard to help me and others catch and took it badly when we didn't. This is a hard water and it only fishes at night, two things that Angling lines did not warn me about. On the main lake the fish appear to like to hold up at one end far away from the accommodation and in thick beds of lillies and on lotus lake they stay deep in some of the largest and thickest jungles of lillies I have ever seen. Neither lake was fishing well when we got there and there had been no rain for 3 months. Gilles says that when hooked the fish fight hard and strong tackle with large hooks are required. 15lb main line he considered risky. Would I recommend this venue? Yes I would but only to someone who was an experienced angler who understood that this was bivvy up, night fishing on a hard water. Would I recommend Angling Lines Services? Yes but with caution. They are still finding out about some of these waters so you may have to do some research of your own. As a final note I wouldn't rule this place out just for an ordinary none fishing holiday. The lakes, accommodation and the surrounding area are all beautiful and very relaxing. Oh and something else not in the brochure. Gilles can hire you some odds bits of gear like a bed chair or rod pod if you need it.

Details of your catches:

3 carp (2 commons and 1 mirror) 15lb, 22lb & 35lb.

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

Tight to the lillies and margins not to be ignored.

Were the facilities what you expected?

Better

Were you happy with them?

Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Yes

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Yes

General Comments:

Disappointed that we were not informed that bedchairs and other gear available on site.

Details of your catches:

1 carp each for Paul (15 1/2lb Mirror), Philip (18lb Common - New PB) & Steve (32 1/2 lb Linear mirror - New PB). 10 Bream to 5lb, 20 Black Bass up to 2lb, 84 Skimmers to 1lb, 6 Roach to 3/4lb, 5 rudd to 1/2lb, 2 Pumpkinseeds & 2 Water Rats.

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

Having read the recent reports and the log we had great anticipation of getting onto them - But as we all know fishing is never what you expect. The fish had been feeding close in the margins in front of the Lake House all the previous week - Listen intently to Gilles on best rigs (size 1 hooks and long hook lengths) and where to fish. We started fishing intently on the 7th Aug (1000am) all the way through to 1900 on the 12th Aug. We Tried all Baits we had to hand, all different rig types Short long - anti-eject braid, fluro etc.etc... and size of hooks (biggest we had was size 2), nothing came to hand that would wiggle them out from under the lilies in the far end shallows where they were enjoying spawning for the 3rd time this year. We had 14 lines / baits placed strategically close to all the main lily areas to try of entice then out in the hope they would be on the search for food once finished spawning. Both Steve's and Philip's Fish came at night and both had severe Spawning marks. Both caught on 6 Both caught on 6" braid Lengths with size 4 & 6 hooks. Paul got his Mirror at 1000 am from Lotus lake (no one in Lotus Cottage so Gilles & Lesley allowed us to fish both lakes) with a 4" Anti Eject rig on Angling Lines Special 18mm Boilie. It is clear that the carp are wise to beds of bait - not one run on baits with freebies supplied via PVA/Stringer - All Fish & runs came from single baits with 5-6 boilies catapulted / drop from boat in general hook bait area. We all had fun spinning for the Black Bass that lurk in wait under the Willows and Steve managed to 'lure' the 2lb out. Paul fished on the Waggler off of Jim's pontoon for the other lake residents. Could catch Skimmers at will with Sweetcorn / (size 18)We all had a go at hand free lining with size 20 hook and fake bloodworm to trick the Pumpkinseed from the crags in front of the house. No need to take lots of bait they do not respond to it - We used 9kg of trout pellet, 8 Kg Of boilies for the three of use using 14 lines continuously for 130 hours.

Were the facilities what you expected?

Yes

Were you happy with them?

Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Yes

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Yes

General Comments:

A great quiet location where the family can relax and fish as and when they wish alongside each other - the best of both worlds. Emily achieved her aim on getting a nice sun tan.

Steve and Philip achieved their targets. Gilles and Lesley - Great Hosts - Gilles tried his best to put us on the fish - but when they are not having it then they are not - I will be interested in the catch report from the following week.

Details of your catches:

Maurice caught: A 35lb mirror carp and a 40lb mirror carp (both from the main lake). Carl caught: A HUGE 49lb mirror carp that it appears may be the new lake record! (from the Lotus lake).

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

It dawned on us late in the week that the best tactic was to stick to the margins (where all three fish were caught). Don't be afraid to drop a bait under your feet! On the Lotus lake I would recommend having one rod tight to the small patch of lilly pads on the left bank (as you look at the lake from the decking by Lotus cottage - this is where the 49lb was caught from), one rod under the overhanging willow tree on the right bank and then one rod either right under your feet by the decking or at the far end of the lake by the start of the Lotus flowers.On the main lake, Maurice was fishing from the narrow walkway between the 2 lakes. Initial fishing out to the island and lilly pads brought a number of tentative takes that turned out to be Bream. As soon as the rods were brought in to fish close to the overhanging trees and near the tunnel that connects the two lakes under the walkway, the two Carp were caught. A number of runs were also missed on both lakes when fishing from the margins (The Carp seemed to become very crafty very quickly and appeared to be running with the bait on the hair and not taking in the hook...).The carp were caught on either large Scopex boilies or 2 smaller squid and octopus boilies (one bottom bait, one pop-up).Large hooks are also recommended.

Were the facilities what you expected?

Better!

Were you happy with them?

Yes, definitely.

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Yes, definitely.

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Yes, definitely.

General Comments:

As you'll have probably gathered from other comments about Mas Bas, this is not a runs water. However, DO NOT LET THIS PUT YOU OFF! I can honestly say that, once our rods were moved to the margins we both had at least one run each night (although not all were connected with). We both SMASHED our PBs and I would say that Mas Bas is probably your best opportunity of catching a 30 or 40lb fish.
The lakes and cottages are absolutely breath-taking and Giles and Lesley are wonderful hosts. Giles was brilliantly entertaining and his English put our school-boy French to shame! (if you get chatting with Giles, ask him to tell you the story of when a group of English lads first said they wanted to go out and catch a 'whacker'. Just make sure the kids aren't around to hear Giles' mis-interpretation of the word 'whacker'!).
Also look out for Georgina and Thomisina, the resident cats. They have a habit of appearing just as food is put on the table! Thomisina was also particularly fond of wandering into my bivvy in the early hours with a dead mouse as a present!
I would definitely recommend Mas Bas, particularly for families. I also must make a plea for people to consider the Lotus Lake. It's looking wonderful since Giles has done lots of work to clear the Lotus flowers and I can assure you there's BIG fish in there. It's also ideal for people using the Lotus or Willow cottages.