Does anybody have any info on the syndicate lake here, i'v fished the day ticket lakes for years and was thinking of applying this year.
I'v just kitted myself out with some carp gear and want somewhere local i can give it a go.
What fish are in there, to what size?
Is it bigger than it looks from the fence?
Can you do over-nighters?
What are the other members like? (if its anything like the priory park brigade i don't think i'l bother)
How much a year?
I'v looked on the net and cant any info so i'l appreciate any help.
Also Frank the balifs number would be a bonus

Sorry, Can't help with the syndicate, but what are the day ticket lakes like? I leve about 10 mins away from Star Lane but have never fished there!

Mat

Its a bit weedy but i normaly do ok.
The small car park lake is over-looked due to the size, get to the swim with clay steps and wack a troat pellet on a quiver tip to the edge of the rush's, there are some loverly mental tench in there and also some nice carp to around 8lb to be taken on corn with a waggler fished heavy on the bottom.

I used to fish this spot once a week with 2 mates from 12.00am to 7.00pm every tuesday night (a few years ago) and we couldn't get enough of it.
It's also great for a mad whip session bashing out small roach,
The swim next to the car park has a tree overhanging the lake, when the pike season kicks off put a small rubber pike lure past it and hang on to your hat, theres a low double pike in there that acts like its never been hooked, it shoots out at 300mph usually taking the lure from underneath and leaving the water, he jumps from the water, tail walks, the lot, can be a bit of a bugger to unhook though, it BITES, he will swing his head and snap at you, once i put him back in the water he shot back and attacked my landing net. lol

Middle lake is shallow but great for stalking carp, it fish's really well in the winter for roach and carp when it floods, or if you fancey a quick tiddler bash in the summer with the chance of a nice roach or carp of a couple of pound, get under the tree near the plank, theres a hole underneath it and seems to be a holding bay when its not rained for a while.

The bigger lake contains the bigger fish, some loverly carp, big tench, nice bream etc, a lot of people fish the wide bay that backs onto members like its the only place on the lake, also the sunken tree opposit it (bugger to get down when its wet, worse trying to scramble back up)
I walked around this lake hundred's of times in the winter with a lure and found some nice spots i want to try, walking clockwise from the bay, you will come to an opening that is swampy, if you don't mind getting your shoes dirty you can walk across it wight-out much trouble (if i can get across with dry feet in a december rain it shouldn't be much trouble any other time)
There are rushes to your left and right and its quite shallow, but a nice lead will get you out, its also a nice secluded spot when you want to fish that lake on holidays and get away from the kids.

Carrying on clockwise you will go up a hill, take the next set of steps you come to, these swims here have loads of pads and rush's to choose from, hardly anybody fish's and when they do its with a float, i'v seen it when the waters clear and its looks like a goldmine, the weed is not thick but a nice silt layer, there are plenty of channels between pads etc, its a bit snaggy but just small twigs that shouldn't be to much trouble, it looks like a carp playground and i fancey giving this spot some special attention this year.

If you go expecting concreat swims and nice pathways you will be in for a shock, its all natural, the car park is nothing fancey and you will need to buy a key from Frank when you first see him as it now has a gate due to people dumping cars (you know he's comming because his jack russel will come and say hello 5 minutes before he gets there)its about £3, a friend had his car window smashed during the night and his duty free baccy stolen from the dashboard, but they left his radio!!! this was a few years ago and he fish's it every week and has had no trouble since, i'v left my motorbike in there for 12 hours on a few occasions and had no trouble, but be safe and leave nothing on display and alarm it.

Star Lane is a great place to fish, and due to the natural look of the place is very under fished, i have never had to walk far to find a swim, people who fish there are friendly and nothing like the Priory posse.

Its a great place for an overnight social, we have never had any problem making hotdogs on a barby (although we never did it near anyone else),they even have a purpose built barby on members.

No facilitys are available, but at £3.50 a person you can't grumble.
I'v neglegted star lane for a few of years, but this year i have a feeling it will be my local.

Good luck.
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Sorry, think i got a bit carried away with the typing lol

Mat are you any relation to Matty Hillman who used to live in Rayleigh, with a bird called Emma?

Thanks Dan, very interesting, think I'll have a walk around there on Monday as I'm off work then ;-)

Am I right in thinking that its the trackway next to the brick factory? and where do I park untill I find the baliff?

And no I've never lived in Rayleigh or with any one called Emma!

Maybe I'll bump into you over there sometime, Love the sound of lillypad swims and tench!

Mat

Yep, take the road for the brickworks, keep going straight untill you come to a set of gates.
I think theres room to park infront of the gates without causing to much of an obstruction, but don't quote me on that.
I'm hoping to next fish it on saturday, or it will be the monday or tuesday, maybe all
I'ts killing me having the new tackle indoors and not being able to use it.

I found banded trout pellet best for tench, the bream don't or at least they didn't bother you on it.

When you first walk around you will notice a little bay full of weed opposit the members bit, crouch down and keep an eye in it, theres normaly some juicey carp waving around in there.

Cheers Dan, Went and had a walk around this evening , looks like a nice place to fish, will have to find a spare afternoon at some point

I do like the look of the smaller lake by the carpark, looks perfect for a spot of floatfishing!

Car parking does look a bit dodgy though, theres a burnt out car just outside the gates!

Mat

Went thursday for 8 hours, half asleep after a 10 hour night shift (the last of 7) and had nothing, then as i'm packing up a group of lads cast into the area i'd baited with 10ml scopex and took a nice tench and a snotty within 15 minutes.

Going again tonight.