Piking in Kent

[Smudge]

I'm asking for some help! I live in Guernsey and would like to stay with a friend in Tonbridge I came earlier this year and had some great times fishing for carp. I would like to come next year and try for some pike and I would like to know where to go and the best time of the year. I do a lot of salt water fishing but coarse fishing on the island is very limited so this is quite a treat for me

[Dunk Fairley]

Smudge,

 

great to hear from a channel island neighbour.

 

There are quite a few V.good Pike venues in Kent. In the summer, I've found a lot which are excellent for lure fishing. If that's what you want, let me know when you are going to be here and I for one would be very pleased to take you out to some of the places I go to.

 

As far as bait fishing goes, it's hard to predict until nearer the date, but if you give me a couple of weeks or so warning, I'll try and put you onto some fish .I may have to come along, if it involves my own club waters/guest tickets etc._

[Smudge]

Thanks Dunk I don't know when I will be coming over but I appreciate the offer of the company and advice if you come over here I would of course reciprocate and take you sea fishing

[Dunk Fairley]

OK smudge, just let me know (see my profile).

 

I can't guarantee you'll catch, but you'll be fishing on the same terms as me, and I love fishing in Kent (all year round)

[chesters1]

the medway has great pike so on the doorstep at tonbridge ,keston has some (to the north) and the military canal has lots (to the south) mote park had some (maidstone) all were (25 years ago) day ticket waters (except keston which was free),probably changed now

[Dunk Fairley]

I caught my first 20 from Keston. I'm sure it's still free these days, but I did hear you had to get a local "permit" of some sort (which was free anyway)

 

I'd be very interested if anyone knows.

 

Keston also used to be a fantasic carp water, frequented by many of the "names", who are still around. It was a "Leney" stocked water and produced Carp to mid 30s. Sadly, nearly all these fish grew legs and migrated to other waters. One of the original fish remained until a couple of years ago, when it died of old age.

 

Going back to the Pike. It was possible to catch 5-10 fish in a day once. Isn't it strange how waters such as Keston (about 3 acres) can be so productive. Enormous Roach/rudd shoals, huge carp and pike, Tench to 7lbs plus. Amazing, considering it was/is a public water and very heavily fished.

[chesters1]

my earliest overnighters were at keston in 1966 never caught a darn thing at night though , continual pestering by the local peodo (old complete with mac) drove me away i went to horton kirby where things improved (the peodo was more attractive)

[Smiler]

Smudge,

As a firefighter from Guernsey you will know my ex brother in law, Mick Warren

LOL I live at the other end of Kent and we have some good Pike waters down here as well, River Stour at Grove Ferry is good, also CDAA waters are productive but you have to be a member [no day tickets ] Maybe Barden Lake or Heysden would be good

 

[ 23. November 2002, 06:59 PM: Message edited by: Smiler ]