Snowy0230

Thanks for that, I took a look and browsed the entire site. Seems to answer a few questions for me. Also, it confirms the "winter" theory on the Canal. Having said that, it should be common sense to an angler. It would seem that Sussex has some nice waters and I'm thinking about getting in on the membership. Value for money! £40 membership for Chichester Canal - £77 for Petworth & Bognor Club which covers the Canal and much much more! Thanks, that was very helpful

I usually fish for Pike and nowadays, with deadbait. Never really been a fan of lures although they're less smelly All three species are different yet alike in other ways. In-fact, in my opinion the Zander seems to be the lovechild of a frisky Perch and unsuspecting Pike. I've never caught a Zander but would love to Predatory fish obviously go for fish and as Roach is a favourite snack, anything resembling them is good. I would guess that as long as it would fit in the smaller mouth (Perch) you'll be fine. Pike will go for an easy target so size doesn't always matter and I'd assume it's that way for Zander. It has to be said though, this is my opinion only P-J

I've never plumbed the depth. I've relied on the old boys before now. Saying that, I mainly fish for Pike so it's something I would do. I like your idea and next time I hit the Canal I'm going to try it. I may have to curse you if I tangle lol P-J

I've recently moved to Hilsea in Portsmouth. I have been told of the Hilsea Moat. I've walked around it and I've seen the bleak water and old fishing platforms that have seen better days. The water is looking very light brown like clay colour. I was told that sea water got in there and killed what was there, hence, it's now closed. There's something in there for sure! I've seen it! Whether it's sea or fresh water, something is living in there. Do you know what's going on with it? Will it re-open? Thanks, P-J

As I have posted in other parts of the forum, I have been fishing here recently. I live in Portsmouth and I've been looking for somewhere I can go and relax away from the real world. I've tried Peterfield Pond - very poor lately - and then on to Chichester Canal. Too many people walking dogs and over fished I think. I'm not even sure there's anything in there worth going for. The old boys on the Canal speak of what they USED to catch but not what's coming up now. I even dropped in over the last couple of days to try a bit of Pike fishing. Dangled the old Mackerell and Spratt and still nothing. Has anyone fished here? What's in there? Is it worth paying out and spending the time there? I know in fishing you have to patient and that's half the fun, the unexpected. However, I don't want to keep travelling that far to battle with kids for the best swims Thanks! P-J

Reporting back on last night - Nothing Instead, I thought I'd go back over this morning and give it a shot. I looked for some nice features on the Canal and tried but nothing again. For Pike to refuse Mack tails and Spratt is quite uncommon. I have to think that they are higher up the Canal. The old boys on the Canal have a theory that the fish move up towards Chichester through the Summer (The bit you can't fish). Fibbing? I think I shall wait it out till Winter anyhow and try the Basin. I'll give you a shout in October lol! In short then, Over the last few years of this post we have discovered..... well, nothing there to catch. P-J

I was on the Canal today. It was nasty weather but a good morning for fishing. I spoke with the Bailiff who told me, as Guy says, the Pike in there are up to and above 20lb. Most are landed in the winter from the Basin in Chichester itself. The Basin is closed to fishing until October but you can Fish for Pike along the rest of the Canal throughout the year. I am taking some Spratt and Mack Tails over there this evening to give it a shot. I must admit, I tried a lure this morning after finding out but it wasn't productive either. I will let you know how the deadbait goes.

It was a long time ago that I first set out on a dull day in Lincolnshire heading for a drain to fish. My Dad, brother and I were kitted up with cheap gear that we had nagged Dad to get from pound-stretcher in Boston. We started at a little drain bridge in a Village called New York. It was quite productive producing some nice Perch and the occasional Roach. Over time my brother grew out of it deciding that maggots were not for him and it was Dad and I that braved it through the winter. Dad started to get ill and fishing eventually stopped. Summer passed and winter set in again. I was collecting coal for the fire from the shed one day and I noticed the rods along the roof girders. Any fisherman would tell you that feeling you get when you get the urge. I collected the coal and ran inside. I managed to convince Dad to let me go fishing the next day on my own. I went upstairs and dug out some fishing books I had bought at a car boot and spent the evening reading and getting very excited. I woke early the next morning and cleared my chores quickly. I was out of the house and walking down the cold windy road by 5:30am. The book had told me that first light was a good time to go. I was 14 and on a mission! I caught a few small fish to start with and by small, 5 or 6 inches was big! Then it happened, quite by accident. I caught a small roach, I pulled it in and got a good glance and went for the disgorger. It wasn't where I normally left it. In fact, I had used it the other side of the bridge. In my ignorance, I decided to put the fish (while hooked) back in the water and go get the disgorger. When I got back I lifted the rod to find a hell of pull. I lifted the bail arm allowing line to flow while I loosened the cheapy reels clutch. After 20 - 30 minutes of "playing" I finally landed my first Pike. The Pike had played me, by luck and luck alone, no skill, I had managed to keep this thing on the 3lb line with just a poor little roach as my hook. My heart was pounding as I stood and admired my prize! I had no way of taking the Pike off my line so I cut the line higher up and put the Pike in a Hessian Sack and headed home. My Dad didn't believe me until I showed him! Although the Pike was probably only a few pounds, this was a massive fish to me. It began a new phase of fisherman in me, I became a predator fisherman. I spent the next few years walking the various River Witham drains picking up decent Pike. My closest to "write home about" was almost landed on a night spree just up from the bridge at New York. Another drain met my usual drain making a nice place for the big boys to hang out. I pitched up and sat with a mate using a jack pike tale as bait. When I pulled the line in at about 3am the was an almighty splash and for the next 30 minutes I wrestled the fish to the bank. The line broke and off went what was probably a good one. Anyway, time has passed and life has got hold of me now. I'm married with a baby on the way and I work hard too. Luckily I do a 4 on, 4 off rotation so I get some good fishing time I have moved back to Hampshire and although Hampshire boasts the River Test, I have found the best place is the Chichester Canal for a day trip. I have not yet tried the Test so I cannot comment. I have been on the Canal several times and have bought up a season ticket too. There are some nice fish in there I'm told however, I haven't caught any huge ones yet. There's plenty of Skimmers and Roach and I'm also told the Carp in there are good. Having taken lots of Skimmers and Roach, It would seem that the Canal would be an ideal habitat for Pike. I spoke with the Bailiff today who told me that Piking was allowed on the Canal at this time of year too. I am going to give it a try this evening. If you're new to Piking or thinking about trying, I wouldn't recommend Piking this early in the year but as long as you're careful and aware that care needs to be taken even more so in Summer, you should be alright. I'm sure it'll be on this forum somewhere but I will say it anyway, Pike use everything they have to fight in the Summer months, if you land one, be sure to get it back quickly. I look forward to sharing my days out with you all and finding out how to fish for other species as I have yet to land a decent size fish other than a Pike.