Rd - 8 - Summer League - 19th July - Messingham Sands Island Lake

[Leo Martin]

Big Bash Summer league round 8 Messingham Sands Island Lake 19.7.2025

A generous 28 pegs awarded by George to our club, and Island lake was shared with 2 other clubs so a full house and pressure on the lake. We had a 80% take up of our 20 pegs however due to 2 late drop outs 14 names went onto Japser's wheel of fortune. It is also worth noting that due to the heat we were once again treated to a topless ( I think and hope that was all) Jasper for the live draw.  We had pegs 17 to 45, half way on back bank around to the spit where we had approx. 3 / 4 of its pegs which is facing the later numbers bank.

Peg 24 was to be my home, very happy with that one, thank you draw gods.

The recent very dry heatwave spell was ending and forecasts were for torrential rain, thunderstorms and generally a very wet one. Bashers not allergic to weather extremes were to unleash their wet weather gear for the first time this summer. I suppose we have been very lucky.

First time at the fishery since the road has been fully tarmacked and I must say that it is a great job that will be appreciated by all anglers and visitors.  Flat as a pancake (except for much needed speed humps) and absolutely no pot holes, the county council and highways must be envious.
Sunshine greeted us on arrival at the fishery, our own chuckle brothers first on the lake closely followed by myself, Jasper and Mr Utting.

We were allowed to unload our cars as more bashers and the other match arrived before the first short heavy downpour to give us a sample of what  was to come.  All anglers absolutely hate setting up and packing up in the rain.

The modifications to the island lake middle bar have vastly improved the peg access with lowering the bank height and removal of lots of trees and vegetation. It has left the sand exposed which when you combine with heavy rain does wonders for all your clothing and tackle. Some pegs could do with access steps installing as the sand is washing down a sloping bank which is not good underfoot.

Peg 24 on arrival offered lots of options, too many if I am honest. Corner to my left, lily pad to left bank at 10 oclock, island direct in front with end facing me. Side of island also available. Another island with stick ups on end at 2 oclock and gap between these two islands. Margins each side with overhanging trees each side also.  Margin swims were 18 inch deep approx. 1m from bank. I also set up a line on 2+1 in front which was 4 feet deep.

My plan was bomb rod method rod and I also set up a waggler rod if required and fish started rising to pellets fired across. I set up margin lines and a 2+1 line if things got desperate.   Lots of options and after looking at peg I made a conscious decision to limit and manage myself to concentrate on only a few methods to try prevent lots of swapping and changing.

Our whistle blower Gino Lanelly gave us our 3 toots and it was all in whilst the heavens opened for more rain. My decision was made to go 8mm pellet on bomb to lilies at 10 oclock, also end of island directly in front of me. Loose feeding by catapult I fed both swims and started towards the lily pads fishing 2 m away to try prevent the fish going back into them.

First fish at my end of lake I could see went to john Utting, followed by Mr Lanelly and Mr Utting had a second.
My rod wrapped around on second chuck 5 mins on timer and a 6lb carp graced my net after about 10 minutes fight. Next cast it went around again however first snapped hook length for Leo trying to prevent the fish hitting its sanctuary of the trees in the corner. Try as I might I could not stop the dam thing. This was to be rinse and repeat numerous times in the match.   I spent half an hour on this line, switched to end of island then back to original swim. At 11 am the catch rate wasn't very good with 3 in the net although large fish, I made some changes. Reduced length of tail and a lighter bomb and this made a big change in number of bites and also fish coming towards waiting landing net, not that they wanted to. Several fish found freedom with more breakages and hook pulls. The fish in this lake are on steroids and any line wound in on the reel has to be fought for, my trusty XK55 rod being pulled into some right shapes. The stamp of fish very good and it made a nice change at times to catch a 4lber.
Between 11:30 and 1:30 was very productive with 3 minutes a bite and sometimes 10 minutes to land a fish if they didn't break me. I fished under my brolley and due to difficulties with landing net handle , height of nets etc I ended up having to break down my net handle each fish in order to get them in my nets. The 2 lengths of pole were  also dismantled and chucked up bank as not in use and it also give my more access under the brolly.

The later stage of the match was also slow from both swims and I almost set up to feed and chuck to the stick ups on island to my right however bites returned again.
In last half an hour 3 fish graced my net 2 smaller ones at 4lb and another 6lber to give me 96 on clicker

In summary, a very enjoyable and busy session. Although I set up lots of options I only used the bomb rod. I suppose in hindsight I should have chucked method out in the quiet spells but I stuck to two swims and one method all match. 8mm fishery pellets for loose feeding and some also tried on the band. Main hook bait was 8mm fishery pellets soaked overnight in the "in-fashion" red liquid. It seemed to work better than standard uncoated pellets.

The rain did reduce and stop after we packed in and during the weigh in.  Typical, I think I had ¾ an inch in an open bait tub

Peg 17 Jasper 127-2           Section win
Peg 20 John Lanelly 59-15      including a lively eel about 20 inch in length
Peg 21 John Utting 58-6
Peg 24 Leo 103-12          Second in section
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Peg 27 Indian 86- 11
Peg 29 Smiler 39-9
Peg 31 Andy Waite 128-2             Second in section
Peg 34 Steve Curtis 237-3             Match win
Peg 35 Joe Martin 165-1               Section win
XXXX
Peg 37 Keith Smith  101-5          Section win
Peg 39 Mick Roche 45-6            All silvers
Peg 41 Paul Whitehouse 79-4
Peg 43 Steve Guy 78-0
Peg 45 Scott Barker 85-13      Second in section
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Many thanks to the professional weigh in lads, the poor youngster on the bag was wet through every time he raised the net to the scales. Also a nice rest for Steve who did take it upon himself to assist in holding the scales hook for the lad to hang the bag upon.

Well done to match winner Steve and all other packet pickers. Also to each and everyone on the match who stuck it out in the all day heavy downpour. Lots of tackle to rinse off the sand and dry out. No doubt many will also require their Gortex gear rinsing and resealing again, especially those on the sand bank pegs. I think everyone enjoyed the match, maybe not the rain but the hard fighting carp although I guess lots of tackle was lost. Steve Curtis lost his rod but Mr Waite to the rescue got it him back with his bomb rod.
Smiler was up to his old tricks, helping an old guy on next club with his tackle 2 x rod bags but decided to take them to his peg and not leave them for the old guy on his.

Many thanks to Jasper for his organisation skills and timely pay out   as usual. Also to our timekeeper John Lanelly.
Next match 2 weeks time, 2nd August with a welcome return to a Bash favourite Grange park and the inform Curlew lake.

Venues are also being asked for 2027 bookings, please post on forum park being lake suggestions. We have a much smaller club attendance now and I will be booking 15 pegs so this opens up Torne bank, Oak tree etc.

[fishfinder]

Another in depth report leo and well done,my match from peg 34 which is very hit and miss with 40lb coming off it the day before.Chucked my feeder towards some stick ups to my left hand side and caught a few but kept getting smashed up,fed in front where there was no stick ups but when i hooked the fish they still managed to find some,spent more time rigging up then anything else,5 feeders 3 bombs and at one time a rod,picked most up on feeder but did have a run on 8mm pellet on the bomb.Last hour caught on paste in the edge and my last hour net was about 80lb,as did the rest of us got absolutly soaked,spent several hours this morning mopping and cleaning gear.Luckily i did nanage to get my rod back after half an hour of trying on the bomb andy spotted the tip sticking up and i got it first chuck,well spotted andy