NIRVANA’S SPECIMEN CAT LAKE PRODUCING THE CATFISH
Well done to Martin Cox and Noel Hyland who both caught their personal best Catfish from our day ticket Specimen Cat Lake!
Martin caught a personal best 63lb 10oz Cat caught on peg 3 on Mainline spicy crab 20mm bollie over 10kg of Baittech pellets and Noel caught a personal best 40lb Catfish.
FISH OF THE WEEK WINNER 2ND AUGUST IS…
Dan Maher who caught an amazing personal best 68lb 12oz Wels Catfish from the Main Carp Lake!
Dan’s story –
“My name is Dan, I’m 33 years old and I’m from Liverpool. I’ve been coming to Anglers Paradise for over ten years and this is the first year I have come with my girlfriend, Nicola. I decided to fish Nev’s Point on the Main Carp Lake and after catching a couple of nice carp up to 21lb I decided to cast out a catfish rod I brought specifically to try and beat my previous PB of 54lb from the Specimen Cat Lake.
Nicola and I had just sat down in our chairs after a nice bbq and a glass of Zyg’s wine, when the rod ripped off towards the 5C’s island. The fish decided to go on a long run to a snag against the island opposite and then over towards Zyg’s boat house. I was using strong tackle to deal with the biggest catfish in the lake and managed to pull it back through the weed and into open water.
This catch was extra special because it is a new PB and weighed in at a massive 68lb 12oz. It was also amazing to have my girlfriend present to help me net the fish. Nicola is new to fishing and this is the first fishing holiday we have taken together. I would have struggled to net the fish on my own and with little fishing experience, Nicola did an amazing job. I smashed my PB by 14lb and the fish was caught on pellet. I was also lucky enough to catch another cat a couple of hours later at 55lb.”
WELL DONE DANNY BOY – THAT’S A BIG FISH TO CATCH!! CONGRATULATIONS!
Here he is with his winning Fish and being presented his prizes by Zyggy and Zenia with special thanks to JRC Fishing.
ANGLERS PARADISE 
FISH OF THE WEEK WINNER 7TH JUNE IS…
Emma Tanner AND Damian Armes – A JOINT WIN! Both were worthy of winning this week that we couldn’t not choose them both, Emma caught a personal best 22lb 5oz Grass Carp from the Main Carp Lake and Damian caught a personal best 55lb Catfish from the Specimen Cat Lake.
Emma’s story –
“Here we are, another year at AP and although we predominantly target the ornamental fish while we are here, we thought we’d have a go on the Main Lake after a couple of good days on Easy Access. We set up on the Tuesday and it lashed it down all day. Cold and a bit miserable at the June weather, there was nothing but a small pasty for hubby and a big fat blank for me (my first blank day I’ve had here which is probably why I enjoy a few hours on float, koi or magic on the way back to the villa if the other lakes haven’t producing!).
Not to be put off by my day of no action though, we visited Main again on the Wednesday. The lake was much quieter this time and we picked a better swim with lots of features – the weather was looking spot on too! I fished just off the island with a cell wafter and a PVA bag of particle and sweetcorn mix and sat back…at lunchtime my bite alarm went off, nothing much, just a couple of bleeps and the bobbin dropped back, I was out of my chair and poised ready for action but no screaming peel of line, just a couple more half hearted bleeps! Ever hopeful (and a little despondent!) I struck into it anyway and realised I was in. I remember saying to Mark ‘it’s only a pasty but a fish is still a fish’. Swimming towards me with still no fight, I suddenly saw the shoulders and length of what I had called ‘the pasty’. Turns out it was a 22lb 5oz grass carp! I was made up! After lots of thrashing on the mat, I was allowed a couple of photos. I haven’t stopped smiling since as this is my first ever grassy (and a pretty big one at that) so I’m guessing this can be classed as a new PB for me and what better place to set a new record than in Paradise!”
Damian’s story –
‘’I never thought in my wildest dreams I would catch Catfish of 55lbs and 33lbs! I never tried for Catfish until I came to Anglers Paradise in Devon and I got 2 in 24 hours, this 1 being the biggest. I’ve caught that many different species, over 30 Carp biggest being 20lbs, but I’ve seen some monsters that were much bigger and also Koi, Gold fish, Golden Tench, Orfe, too many to name them all!
What a place, the name really does fit as an Anglers Paradise! Zyggy and Zenia are so welcoming and funny, I’ve never laughed so hard, they are a delight to be around. The tackle shop has everything you need and give you helpful tips when trying new lakes. Food is excellent, Zyggy’s wine is lovely fruity and packs a punch, picturesque surroundings and the wildlife is something else, I’ve seen Kingfishers, Barn Owls and a Kestrel. The Lakes are well kept, the fish are spotless and all I can say is I’m already looking forward to my next trip WHAT A WEEK it has been best fishing holiday ever!’’
WELL DONE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH – GREAT FISH AND BOTH WELL DESERVED!
Here they are with their winning Fish and being presented their prizes by Zyggy and Zenia with special thanks to JRC Fishing.
**FISH OF THE WEEK IS SPONSORED BY JRC FISHING – THE MAKERS OF GREAT CARP TACKLE**
The latest catches from Anglers Paradise. Warm weather has Brought out the cats and carp!
53lb Wels Catfish from the Main Carp Lake!
Well Done to Paul Fullman
FISH OF THE WEEK WINNER 24TH MAY IS…🐟
Jonny Kitson who caught 8 Twenty Pound plus Carp during his week’s stay with us at Anglers Paradise which is pretty amazing angling!! Jonny caught 7 20’s from the Main Carp Lake of 22lb 2oz, 20lb, 22lb 13oz, 24lb 7oz, 24lb 10oz, 26lb 6oz, 23lb 10oz AND a 22lb 13oz Mirror from the Kracking Carp Lake making his catches in weight over 163lbs of Carpy action!!
Jonny’s story –
“I arrived on the Main Carp Lake on the Tuesday morning and after a couple of laps opted for a swim near Zyggy’s roped off area as it was clear there was a lot of fish patrolling the Lilly’s opposite. I then started spreading 18ml of Cell in and around the Lilly’s. I fished Ronnie rigs with Cell wafters just off the Lilly’s and over 2 nights I caught 7 20lb+ carp followed by a 22lb 13oz Mirror from the Kracking Carp Lake. Unbelievable session on an unbelievable lake!!!!”
MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE JONNY – YOUR ARMS MUST BE ACHING FROM ALL THAT HAULING!!!
Here he is with his winning Fish and being presented his prizes by Zyggy and Zenia with special thanks to JRC Fishing.
**FISH OF THE WEEK IS SPONSORED BY JRC FISHING – THE MAKERS OF GREAT CARP TACKLE**
CATS AND CARP ARE ON THE FEED!
Michael Pearson from Notttingham did very well on his annual holiday trip to Anglers Paradise. Not only did he catch Catfish of 53lbs 1oz and 52lbs 4oz from our day ticket Specimen Cat Lake but he also caught a lovely 24lb 9oz Leather Carp from the Main Carp Lake.
The fish are well on the feed after spawning, I’ve got fish pictures coming out of my ears!! Lots more amazing catches to share with you all so watch this space!
GREAT ANGLING MICHAEL – WELL DONE!
PB CATFISH FROM THE MAIN CARP LAKE
Ben McDonnell, 27 from Kent caught a personal best 67lb 13oz Catfish from the Main Carp Lake.
Ben caught the catfish on a casual carpers 15mm spiced krill boillie topped with a 12mm spiced krill pop up, it smashed his old PB of 19lb 1oz by 48lb 12oz!!
(below) Alan George, 49 from Wales caught his 1st ever ‘30’ from the Main Carp Lake, a stunning 30lb 8oz Mirror winning him our Fish Of The Week competition.
Alan shared –
“After arriving at Anglers Paradise on the Saturday afternoon, we enjoyed a few drinks with our friends before venturing down to the Main Lake to take advantage of the peace and quiet as a 5c’s member. I decided to do a bit of stalking on the surface free lining bread. It wasn’t long before I spotted a few in one of the back bays, soaking up the sun. I flicked out a single piece of bread and it wasn’t long before a carp slipped up and took the bait!
After a short hard battle through the pads, my good friend Mick Pearson did the honours of netting the fish and couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw what was in there.
The mirror carp weighed in at 30lb 8oz and was a new PB and my first 30lb plus carp. Not bad for the 1st cast of the holiday!”
(Below)Ben Gregory caught a personal best 5lb 8oz Golden Tench from the Specimen Tench and Orfe Lake. Ben shared – “I’d already had quite a good day on the lake having had 13 Tench and 1 Barbel. However despite my friend Mitchell’s pleads to leave because it was pretty cold, we persisted for another 30mins and I had one final bend in the rod from the lily pads. The biggest was saved to last on a robin red pellet. My new personal best at 5lbs 8oz! It’s been a great week, we hope to get back soon!”
(Below)Steve Self caught a beautiful 8lb 6oz Koi and a rare two tone Koi from our famous Koi Lake off the top with bread crust stalking them for hours. Steve also tried a new tactic and fished with a daisy off the top to see if he could catch one on a flower and he did it!!!
Matthew caught the Wels Catfish on a A2 baits 16mm fruity fish wafter topped with a bit of pink fake corn, attached a small pva bag of boilie crumb and another small bag of boilie halves and cast it into where Ashley said the bowl was.
Matthew shared –
“20 minutes in I had a savage liner which I almost hit but didn’t, then another 20 minutes past and the rod rattled off! And what can only be described as a tense 20 minutes I finally got her in the net, which was a struggle by myself. Zeroed the sling etc and she tipped the scales round to 60lb 8oz, beating my original UK PB by 15lb 8oz! I’ve been lucky enough to have cats to almost 120lb in France but to get one that big in England and even better at anglers paradise is ace! Can safely say I won’t catch a cat that big for a long time! and it just goes to show, if the bailiffs are willing to give you advice then make the most of it!”
WELL DONE MATTHEW AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW PB!
**For future big Cats all, we’re trying to encourage Anglers to lie beside/have the tail between your legs on an unhooking mat with the head at the fore front of the camera better for the fish, makes it look bigger.
Congratulations to Charlie Grant, 12, who whilst on his annual Family holiday with us at Anglers Paradise caught his biggest ever fish, a personal best 29lb Wels Catfish!!
Charlie caught the Catfish on Luncheon Meat soaked in spotted fin smokey jack over spray from the Easy Access Lake.
**Take note ‘all’ on how he is presenting the Catfish – Superb pictures Charlie, showing us how not to hold Catfish!!**
Congratulations to Richard Mason who caught a 58lb 5oz Catfish and also 4 Carp from Day Ticket Nirvana’s Specimen Cat Lake!
Richard shared –
“Caught in peg 3 next to the drain, using pallatrax jungle squabs and glugs and stonze free running rig
Took be round the drain and snagged me solid!! The original run was at 5.30 am but after over 2 hours of being snagged she was still on so had to go for a wade/swim to free the line –
Epic battle!!”
PERSONAL BEST CAT FROM ELDORADO!
Well done to Josh Bartley, 27 from Plymouth who joined us for a session on the popular Day Ticket Venue Anglers Eldorado and caught a personal best 18lb 5oz Catfish and then caught another smashing that with a 36lb 5oz Cat both from the Bottom Cat and Carp Lake 2!
Josh shared –
“I arrived on the Carp/Cat Lake 2 at Anglers Eldorado early Friday morning, at about 9am, I caught a new pb cat of 18lb 5oz but unfortunately my camera decided to not work!
But fortunately later that day around 7pm I caught another new pb of 36lb 5oz, also followed up with one around 10lb early Saturday morning, they were all caught using simple hair rigs, fished with 2-3 21mm halibut pellets.
Thank you!”
CONGRATULATIONS JOSH – ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE AND HEAR OF OUR DAY TICKET CATCHES AND TO SEE ANGLERS GETTING IN THE WATER – GOOD ON YOU!!
(Above) Jacob Johnson with a 36lb Mirror Carp from Nirvana’s Day Ticket Lake – The Kracking Carp
Congratulations to Tony Trenerry who caught a 55lb 3oz Catfish from Day Ticket Nirvana’s Specimen Cat Lake. The fish was tempted using good old luncheon meat.
Zenia at Anglers Paradise advises anglers that they should avoid holding the fish off the ground. “There’s no need to hold Cats but much better to position them like this or lying beside them on a unhooking mat.”
Above) Paul Baker recently took his son to Anglers Eldorado to show him what a real Catfish looked like up close and they caught this 30lb Wels Catfish from the Bottom Cat and Carp Lake 2 caught on double halibut pellets.
Lovely to see Families on the bank sharing their passion of fishing with siblings – what it’s all about!
(Above)
*PB CATFISH FROM NIRVANA**
David Poolman fished Nirvana’s Day Ticket Specimen Cat Lake and managed to catch a personal best 56lb 8oz Catfish in the early hours.
David caught his PB on a soaked halibut pellet/squid pop up combination.
(Above)Angling Guide Julian Chidgey organised a Cat and Carp Camp weekend at Nirvana. The conditions were tough to say the least, they lost a few but Morgan Lloyd from Oxfordshire saved the weekend by catching his 1st ever Catfish at a whopping 60lbs 3oz and a 15lb Common both from the Specimen Cat Lake.
Julian shared –
‘Well what a weekend that was! Winds that threatened to launch bivvies into the lake, and rain that had me contemplating building an ark! The anglers who attended the Carp and Cat Camp stuck at it despite the weather, knowing that it would only take 1 bite to make the session a success. Morgan Lloyd had the first breakthrough after we spotted a 30-40lb carp top between the waves and a single hookbait cast close by soon gave a bite. Unfortunately the fish dropped off before we got to see it.
Richard and Tony also both had big fish top in front of them and the tension was clear as it felt a bite was on the cards. Morgan was the lucky one again as a single hookbait (Tor baits Squido pop up) produced a bite as darkness fell. A modest mid double common was the result but with the temperature falling and the wind having turned to a bitter North-Easterly it was good to see a fish on the bank. As first light came this morning the keen anglers stood over the rods counting down the final minutes of the session. An alarm sounded and Morgan was again the lucky angler, from the outset it was clear this was a special fish and I soon paddling out with my landing net to scoop up a very long catfish.
It was great to see the teamwork and camaraderie as we weighed and photographed the 60lb 3oz monster. As we packed away our wet gear and headed our separate ways it was great to think of the new friendships formed through a great weekend. I will definitely be organising another event for next Spring so please get in touch to reserve your place for a shot at the fish of a lifetime.’