The Lake:

Hogtrough lake is the youngster at Priory Farm, just over 5 years old. Despite this, the lake is maturing nicely with the island and bank side vegetation growing rapidly.

Although the fishing can sometimes be a little harder than the other two lakes, the rewards are well worth putting in the extra effort.

Give some thought to exploring the features and seeking out likely fish holding spots and you will not be disappointed. Explore the shallow bays in summer and the deeper areas of the lake in winter.

• carp to 30lb
• crucian carp, roach, perch, skimmers, bream to 12lb and tench to 7lb+
• many fish holding features - small bays, heavily planted margins and 3 islands
• 4.2 acres in size
• depths vary from 2ft to almost 15ft
• well spaced hard core swims
• night fishing available

Crucian carp and silver fish tactics:
Corn or soft pellets, float fished as close as possible to the island is a great tactic and often pays rich dividends. Loose feed little and often with pellets and maggots or a small amount of corn. Loose fed hemp often works really well too.

Bream and Tench tactics:
Groundbait at the start of the session and continue throughout, varying the amount you feed depending on how fast the bites are coming. If the fish are feeding well and bites are coming think and fast, step up the feed to ensure you retain fish in your swim.

A feeder approach is always a good idea, or a small method feeder with sweet corn, hemp, pellet, groundbait and even small 10-12mm boilies. Plastic corn works well too, especially when popped up 2-4 inches over a bed of groundbait

Carp tactics:
The carp in Hogtrough Lake are crafty old devils and a well camouflaged rig and rig placement are essential. Boilies are always a good bet but it is also worth considering using artificial baits. Fake sweetcorn, maize and tares have all worked well in the past. Also, double red maggot can be a killer bait on Hogtrough.

There are loads of underwater features in Hogtrough Lake and it is worth taking some time to explore the lake bed using a marker rod.

Also don't ignore the obvious, like the margins and the islands, both great fish holding areas. In winter do what the fish do and search out the deeper areas of the lake, or areas of the lake with cover.