Hello boys and girls.
I've finally taken the dive and gone from a keen reader over the years to a poster. Growth
I was just wondering who has been fishing Menards recently? Last time i fished it was about 10 years ago but i had fished it regularly for several years prior.
I'm gutted to hear Buttons and other big boys are all dead now. Does anyone know what the stock is like now though? Have they netted it in the last 10 years since the big boys died? When i used to fish there, there were loads of 20's in there. Surely the lake should be full of 30's and even 40's again by now? It's been 10 years. Can anyone comment of the stock and the lake in general? Any info would be great as i'm thinking about getting back on it.
Slack lines
I've finally taken the dive and gone from a keen reader over the years to a poster. Growth
I was just wondering who has been fishing Menards recently? Last time i fished it was about 10 years ago but i had fished it regularly for several years prior.
I'm gutted to hear Buttons and other big boys are all dead now. Does anyone know what the stock is like now though? Have they netted it in the last 10 years since the big boys died? When i used to fish there, there were loads of 20's in there. Surely the lake should be full of 30's and even 40's again by now? It's been 10 years. Can anyone comment of the stock and the lake in general? Any info would be great as i'm thinking about getting back on it.
Slack lines
In reply to Post #1
From seeing their facebook posts their are no 40's in their he reckons their 25 plus 30's in their with good back up of 20s
From seeing their facebook posts their are no 40's in their he reckons their 25 plus 30's in their with good back up of 20s
In reply to Post #2
Thanks for your reply mate.
I was just trawling through their catch report as far back as it would go which was to 2015. It looked great. Mostly 20's and 30's and Buttons came out a few times. I just can't understand why there are no 40's in the now. Those high 30's that were coming out in 2015 should all be well over the 40 mark now. I appreciate Buttons and other big fish died of old age but did those 30's also die of old age?? Shouldn't there be a constant flow of younger fish coming up the ranks to replace the older ones?
It used to be about £60 for a 48h when i fished there. It's now £85 if you're not a member but no 40's or 50's. The fish have gone down but the price has gone up? lol. I'm not trying to slag off Menards. It used to be my favourite lake for years! I just can't get my head round why there isn't anything over 40 in there anymore.
Only 1 way to find out i guess! Time to get back out on the bank and go hunting
Slack lines
Thanks for your reply mate.
I was just trawling through their catch report as far back as it would go which was to 2015. It looked great. Mostly 20's and 30's and Buttons came out a few times. I just can't understand why there are no 40's in the now. Those high 30's that were coming out in 2015 should all be well over the 40 mark now. I appreciate Buttons and other big fish died of old age but did those 30's also die of old age?? Shouldn't there be a constant flow of younger fish coming up the ranks to replace the older ones?
It used to be about £60 for a 48h when i fished there. It's now £85 if you're not a member but no 40's or 50's. The fish have gone down but the price has gone up? lol. I'm not trying to slag off Menards. It used to be my favourite lake for years! I just can't get my head round why there isn't anything over 40 in there anymore.
Only 1 way to find out i guess! Time to get back out on the bank and go hunting
Slack lines
In reply to Post #1
I used to fish it when buttons was alive never had the pleasure of catching it or Miller's but did have darks at 37 of which it's now about the 25 mark was a good place to go back then with some big fish.i believe he lost a few fish a couple years back I'm sure Paul will tell you that it will do a 40 soon but I follow his Facebook page and they never really put on weight .i did notice that last year someone caught Casper at a supposed 39lb and then a couple weeks later came out at 31 personally not for me since James left went a bit downhill and Paul has a habit of drinking a bottle of bacardi and smoking a jamaican woodbine and waking you up at 2 in the morning but doesnt take away the fact it's a nice fishery but very expensive
I used to fish it when buttons was alive never had the pleasure of catching it or Miller's but did have darks at 37 of which it's now about the 25 mark was a good place to go back then with some big fish.i believe he lost a few fish a couple years back I'm sure Paul will tell you that it will do a 40 soon but I follow his Facebook page and they never really put on weight .i did notice that last year someone caught Casper at a supposed 39lb and then a couple weeks later came out at 31 personally not for me since James left went a bit downhill and Paul has a habit of drinking a bottle of bacardi and smoking a jamaican woodbine and waking you up at 2 in the morning but doesnt take away the fact it's a nice fishery but very expensive
In reply to Post #4
Nice Fishery
But some ****er drunk singing reggae songs at 02.00 for a chat would hardly make me think it was nice
Nice Fishery
But some ****er drunk singing reggae songs at 02.00 for a chat would hardly make me think it was nice
I don't think I'll ever be heading here.
Checked out the FB page tonight but it seems to have blown up over some rubbish left. Accused the wrong chaps, what a plank.
Gone down hill from what it used to be. My mate had buttons and most of the other bigger residents some time ago now, since they passed away it seems it's gone to pot.
Checked out the FB page tonight but it seems to have blown up over some rubbish left. Accused the wrong chaps, what a plank.
Gone down hill from what it used to be. My mate had buttons and most of the other bigger residents some time ago now, since they passed away it seems it's gone to pot.
In reply to Post #3
He is a money graber my mate paid membership then he said you have to have his unhooking mat or you cannot fish i would not fish that place if it was the last place on earth.
He is a money graber my mate paid membership then he said you have to have his unhooking mat or you cannot fish i would not fish that place if it was the last place on earth.
In reply to Post #5
Was being polite mate the man is a tool I no but like I said take him out of the equation it is a nice fishery
Was being polite mate the man is a tool I no but like I said take him out of the equation it is a nice fishery
In reply to Post #7
He tried that with me when I first went there I bought the nash cradle and he came up and had a look said it had to be the biggest one they done which was a 120cm long ended up hiring one fir a tenner a night then he tried to sell me one £30 more than you could get one.when I used to go there used to be £55 for 24 hours I believe its 75 or more now
He tried that with me when I first went there I bought the nash cradle and he came up and had a look said it had to be the biggest one they done which was a 120cm long ended up hiring one fir a tenner a night then he tried to sell me one £30 more than you could get one.when I used to go there used to be £55 for 24 hours I believe its 75 or more now
In reply to Post #4
Nothing wrong with a Jamaican woodbine
I'll never forget him coming into our swim late one night in his Y fronts! Pissed as a skunk lol. He's not still coming into your swim at 2am is he??!!
Does anyone know if he's netted the lake at all in the last 10 years? This is vital to encourage growth and could explain why big fish are shrinking and the 20's and 30's from 10 years ago are not all 30's and 40's now. Has it been dredged?
Nothing wrong with a Jamaican woodbine
I'll never forget him coming into our swim late one night in his Y fronts! Pissed as a skunk lol. He's not still coming into your swim at 2am is he??!!
Does anyone know if he's netted the lake at all in the last 10 years? This is vital to encourage growth and could explain why big fish are shrinking and the 20's and 30's from 10 years ago are not all 30's and 40's now. Has it been dredged?
In reply to Post #8
Yeah it really is one of the most beautiful lakes i've fished. But the catch report terrifies me. I don't want to get woken up at 2am by a 15lb'er! Or Paul lol
Yeah it really is one of the most beautiful lakes i've fished. But the catch report terrifies me. I don't want to get woken up at 2am by a 15lb'er! Or Paul lol
In reply to Post #10
James netted it for silvers bout 3 or 4 years ago and got rid of a lot of silvers.as for being dreged I dont think so,i dont understand why they dont out weight on like they used to may be because of naturals or maybe because people dont put a lot of bait in I never used to fish a few crushed up boilies over the top. The only other thing he has done over the years is put blue dye in the lake would that be the reason?
I dont go there now mate and haven't for about 5 years if I was looking for something similar in that sort of area wintons all day long
James netted it for silvers bout 3 or 4 years ago and got rid of a lot of silvers.as for being dreged I dont think so,i dont understand why they dont out weight on like they used to may be because of naturals or maybe because people dont put a lot of bait in I never used to fish a few crushed up boilies over the top. The only other thing he has done over the years is put blue dye in the lake would that be the reason?
I dont go there now mate and haven't for about 5 years if I was looking for something similar in that sort of area wintons all day long
In reply to Post #12
Morning mate.
You say they netted it for silvers? You mean like only silvers? I'm not sure how that's possible. Surely when you net the lake you net everything in it? Impossible not to. Unless he used a landing net lol. If they netted it then there should be a recent account of the stock. But i can't find any mention of the current stock or netting on the website. This worries me even more. Why net it and not brag about the amazing stock? Also in this day and age you film or take photos of the netting and release of the fish so punters know what's in there!
I can remember when he asked my mates to put anything under 20lb in a holding net for removal. Which i thought was good. But one time they saw a bloke putting a decent sized fish in there and when they asked him what he was doing he said Paul said to put anything under 25lbs in the net. Why would he want to remove 25lb'ers?? I'm starting to think he was selling them because he needed the money and maybe that's why there's no mention of the stock when it was netted. It's all so bizarre. Trust is a very important thing.
When you ask for £85 for a 48h we have a right to know what's in the lake.
EDIT: Blue dye is to control algae and weed so that's good. As for the fish not putting on weight, the main reason for that is too much competition from other fish or bad oxygen levels etc. Plenty of bait goes in there from anglers. I don't get why he lets people fish the stock pond. He should be heavily feeding that pond himself with no fishing allowed.
Morning mate.
You say they netted it for silvers? You mean like only silvers? I'm not sure how that's possible. Surely when you net the lake you net everything in it? Impossible not to. Unless he used a landing net lol. If they netted it then there should be a recent account of the stock. But i can't find any mention of the current stock or netting on the website. This worries me even more. Why net it and not brag about the amazing stock? Also in this day and age you film or take photos of the netting and release of the fish so punters know what's in there!
I can remember when he asked my mates to put anything under 20lb in a holding net for removal. Which i thought was good. But one time they saw a bloke putting a decent sized fish in there and when they asked him what he was doing he said Paul said to put anything under 25lbs in the net. Why would he want to remove 25lb'ers?? I'm starting to think he was selling them because he needed the money and maybe that's why there's no mention of the stock when it was netted. It's all so bizarre. Trust is a very important thing.
When you ask for £85 for a 48h we have a right to know what's in the lake.
EDIT: Blue dye is to control algae and weed so that's good. As for the fish not putting on weight, the main reason for that is too much competition from other fish or bad oxygen levels etc. Plenty of bait goes in there from anglers. I don't get why he lets people fish the stock pond. He should be heavily feeding that pond himself with no fishing allowed.
In reply to Post #13
Sorry mate should of explained better he took a lot of silvers out of course he would have seen everything when he did it but dont know re size of stock.i think I remember years ago when I was there something along the lines of anything under 20 being put in the stock pool, as regards to fishing the stock pool you know Paul £25 a night money money money
I also remember him banning cell boilies which was quite funny when I asked him why he said because the catch report said after every fish cell it was probably because he couldn't sell them in the shop and had a deal with urban
Sorry mate should of explained better he took a lot of silvers out of course he would have seen everything when he did it but dont know re size of stock.i think I remember years ago when I was there something along the lines of anything under 20 being put in the stock pool, as regards to fishing the stock pool you know Paul £25 a night money money money
I also remember him banning cell boilies which was quite funny when I asked him why he said because the catch report said after every fish cell it was probably because he couldn't sell them in the shop and had a deal with urban
In reply to Post #14
Why would you net the lake and not video of take pics of it and update your customers on the stock and put that info on the website. I just can't understand why. Other than he doesn't want people to know it's just full of pasties with a few nice fish that are struggling to gain weight because of....all the pasties.
Yeah i looked at Wintons. The stock is impressive and it's very private and secluded which is what i love but the lake was a bit too small for my liking. I'm thinking of going down the syndicate route now. Not heard back from anyone though lol.
Why would you net the lake and not video of take pics of it and update your customers on the stock and put that info on the website. I just can't understand why. Other than he doesn't want people to know it's just full of pasties with a few nice fish that are struggling to gain weight because of....all the pasties.
Yeah i looked at Wintons. The stock is impressive and it's very private and secluded which is what i love but the lake was a bit too small for my liking. I'm thinking of going down the syndicate route now. Not heard back from anyone though lol.
I fished around 9 weeks ago maybe longer!
Like the posts say to look at its one of the nicest lakes about but in terms of stock and friendliness it's a shambles!
I think the last 8 months I've seen one 30+ come out which was a 34lb Ghostie.
Although he boasts there's plenty of 30's in there? I think he's talking utter tripe and knows full well if he states the actual lack of 30+ carp he wouldn't have any custom!
He's social media skills are the worst I've seen, as stated he accused a few lads of dumping rubbish even though they never and he didn't have proof just assumed!
He wouldn't back down either or apoligise!
Strikes me as a proper lonely bitter pisshead.
I for one won't be returning after he pushes all the bait he has on you saying it's the approach to take when it's definitely not.
By all means people can make there own judgement but if I had to give advice I'd say AVOID!
Like the posts say to look at its one of the nicest lakes about but in terms of stock and friendliness it's a shambles!
I think the last 8 months I've seen one 30+ come out which was a 34lb Ghostie.
Although he boasts there's plenty of 30's in there? I think he's talking utter tripe and knows full well if he states the actual lack of 30+ carp he wouldn't have any custom!
He's social media skills are the worst I've seen, as stated he accused a few lads of dumping rubbish even though they never and he didn't have proof just assumed!
He wouldn't back down either or apoligise!
Strikes me as a proper lonely bitter pisshead.
I for one won't be returning after he pushes all the bait he has on you saying it's the approach to take when it's definitely not.
By all means people can make there own judgement but if I had to give advice I'd say AVOID!
In reply to Post #16
Nothing changes this has been Paul for years. It's all about the 💴💵💸💰. The bait in his freezer works best , your cradles too small. He used to charge you £5 each way to take your gear to the lake. The water itself although small is lovely and with a change of ownership it could really take off again. As for the rats it doesn't sound like anything has been done to control them .
Nothing changes this has been Paul for years. It's all about the 💴💵💸💰. The bait in his freezer works best , your cradles too small. He used to charge you £5 each way to take your gear to the lake. The water itself although small is lovely and with a change of ownership it could really take off again. As for the rats it doesn't sound like anything has been done to control them .
In reply to Post #17
Agreed mate a change of ownership needed he also used to get his Thai girlfriend to cook breakfast for a tenner and he tried the dinners as well,wont be long he will be charging to use the toilet and shower.
Agreed mate a change of ownership needed he also used to get his Thai girlfriend to cook breakfast for a tenner and he tried the dinners as well,wont be long he will be charging to use the toilet and shower.
I appreciate the feedback guys.
I think I'm going to give it a miss. I've had my doubts about the stock for a long time and you guys are just confirming my suspicions. :(
It amazes me how some people are just so bad at basic business.
Let me know if it ever changes management. I'd love to go back there!!
I think I'm going to give it a miss. I've had my doubts about the stock for a long time and you guys are just confirming my suspicions. :(
It amazes me how some people are just so bad at basic business.
Let me know if it ever changes management. I'd love to go back there!!
In reply to Post #19
Give wintons ago bud they've got 3 lakes over there surely one of them will be to your liking
Give wintons ago bud they've got 3 lakes over there surely one of them will be to your liking
In reply to Post #20
I probably will to be honest. I just wish the stock of Kingfisher lake was in Mallards lake haha.
I'm not sure how big Kingfisher lake is. It doesn't say on their website but looking on google maps it's smaller than Mallard lake and it says Mallard lake is only 4.6 acres. I'm not a huge fan of having hardly any water to fish. Menards was pushing the limit as it was on that respect. He has too many swims on Menards.
I probably will to be honest. I just wish the stock of Kingfisher lake was in Mallards lake haha.
I'm not sure how big Kingfisher lake is. It doesn't say on their website but looking on google maps it's smaller than Mallard lake and it says Mallard lake is only 4.6 acres. I'm not a huge fan of having hardly any water to fish. Menards was pushing the limit as it was on that respect. He has too many swims on Menards.
In reply to Post #21
Nothing wrong with Kingfisher stock, 40 carp give or take. Smaller lake but 6 anglers max.
Walked round menards last spring and he was telling me about all the upper 30s that are soon to be 40s. Not seem anything of the sort on his catch reports. Looks like alot of the bigger fish have lost weight or aren't growing. Not for me.
Nothing wrong with Kingfisher stock, 40 carp give or take. Smaller lake but 6 anglers max.
Walked round menards last spring and he was telling me about all the upper 30s that are soon to be 40s. Not seem anything of the sort on his catch reports. Looks like alot of the bigger fish have lost weight or aren't growing. Not for me.
In reply to Post #21
Yeah, as Ryan has said, I wouldn't worry about the size of Kingfisher, it's the hardest on the complex though.
Fished it last season, done a few long sessions, only managed 2 carp out, but have heard some have fished it longer than that and caught nothing, then others turn up for a couple of short stays and have it right off.
The larger fish in the lake are absolutely stunning, the two bigger commons, the big mirror and a decent back up of big commons too. Plenty to have a go at, and all the more rewarding if able to get among them, as it is not easy.
It is only 6 anglers on at one time, and that is split 4 on the larger side and 2 on the smaller side, with gaps between each swim, so to not disturb the nearest angler in the process. I actually really like it there, and any reputation I thought it did have has been eradicated from my mind. Haven't been able to join this season, but looking to get on a winter ticket in October
Also, going back to Menards, the guy has now made a full public apology, so thought this may be worth noting.
Yeah, as Ryan has said, I wouldn't worry about the size of Kingfisher, it's the hardest on the complex though.
Fished it last season, done a few long sessions, only managed 2 carp out, but have heard some have fished it longer than that and caught nothing, then others turn up for a couple of short stays and have it right off.
The larger fish in the lake are absolutely stunning, the two bigger commons, the big mirror and a decent back up of big commons too. Plenty to have a go at, and all the more rewarding if able to get among them, as it is not easy.
It is only 6 anglers on at one time, and that is split 4 on the larger side and 2 on the smaller side, with gaps between each swim, so to not disturb the nearest angler in the process. I actually really like it there, and any reputation I thought it did have has been eradicated from my mind. Haven't been able to join this season, but looking to get on a winter ticket in October
Also, going back to Menards, the guy has now made a full public apology, so thought this may be worth noting.
In reply to Post #23
Had a similar thing re rubbish happen to me at copse lake yatley on farnham ticket myself and my 13 year old son was accused of leaving rubbish behind by one of the bailiffs on social media wasnt happy and went back the next week to see him, he wasnt therecbut a guy that was fishing next to me that same week told me it wasnt me so I contacted the committee and they were adamant it was me and got a warning my point is after being on the receiving end of this even after Paul has apologised I would be fuming not the first time hes done something like this will never learn unfortunately
Had a similar thing re rubbish happen to me at copse lake yatley on farnham ticket myself and my 13 year old son was accused of leaving rubbish behind by one of the bailiffs on social media wasnt happy and went back the next week to see him, he wasnt therecbut a guy that was fishing next to me that same week told me it wasnt me so I contacted the committee and they were adamant it was me and got a warning my point is after being on the receiving end of this even after Paul has apologised I would be fuming not the first time hes done something like this will never learn unfortunately
In reply to Post #23
Hello mate.
What "reputation" was that then? Did it used to have a band name?
How busy does it get at Wintons? Is it a nightmare trying to book a swim or?
Hello mate.
What "reputation" was that then? Did it used to have a band name?
How busy does it get at Wintons? Is it a nightmare trying to book a swim or?
In reply to Post #25
I've never had an issue getting on but normally book 48hr sessions a few weeks in advance. Overnighters mid week usually space with just a few days notice.
I've never had an issue getting on but normally book 48hr sessions a few weeks in advance. Overnighters mid week usually space with just a few days notice.
In reply to Post #25
Mostly about the catfish being imported to beat records (some years ago now), but tbh, I'm not sure how much of it was actually true, now that I've actually fished there.
Just heard it a couple of times, probably through anglers who couldn't catch a cold there and were bitter about it, as I really like the place and couldn't fault it
It doesn't get overly busy as you book swims, so they always have set number of anglers on each lake at one time I believe. And no, booking is a doddle, just phone up and get on, simple and easy, depending on which lake you fish you may need a bit of notice to get on say Kingfisher, which is the out and out carp water, but never had issue getting on Mallard or Heron myself
Mostly about the catfish being imported to beat records (some years ago now), but tbh, I'm not sure how much of it was actually true, now that I've actually fished there.
Just heard it a couple of times, probably through anglers who couldn't catch a cold there and were bitter about it, as I really like the place and couldn't fault it
It doesn't get overly busy as you book swims, so they always have set number of anglers on each lake at one time I believe. And no, booking is a doddle, just phone up and get on, simple and easy, depending on which lake you fish you may need a bit of notice to get on say Kingfisher, which is the out and out carp water, but never had issue getting on Mallard or Heron myself
Thanks for all the replies guys.
Slack lines
Slack lines
I've seen that Menards has now joined the stock pool to the main lake and added yet more swims! Time will tell how that goes for them.
In reply to Post #27
cats in menards?
cats in menards?
In reply to Post #30
Think he's referring to Wintons, as Menards doesnt have any
Think he's referring to Wintons, as Menards doesnt have any
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