Widnes Angling Centre

15/09/2026

Mark’s Blog is a bit different this week!
Follow WAC to find out more…

14/09/2026

11/09/2026

11/09/2026

Mark’s Blog: An Early Morning Frenzy

My next session was a night on Acton.

I was tempted to set up on fish in the shallows, but I get the feeling they don’t spend the night there. So, rather than fishing for where they were at the time, I decided to set up fairly centrally, hoping to intercept them as they moved through during the night or first thing in the morning.

This peg sits on the border of the w**d. Left – w**dy, right – super clear. I set all three rods in a line just off the edge of the w**d on stiff hinges, with a few spombs of corn and boilies over the top.

I set the alarm for 5am so I could get up and watch the water, but initially there was absolutely nothing showing.

Then, at around 0530, one showed over the rods.

That was enough to get the waders on. 15 minutes later, the first rod rattled off.

The first fish was around 20lb, and while it was having a rest in the net, I quickly looped on a pre-prepared PVA bag, as described in previous blogs, and got the rod back in the area before dealing with the fish.

Before long, another rod was away, and again recast with a bag as soon as the fish was safe in the net.

Next, the first recast rod went.

In total, I had three fish in a crazy 90-minute spell — 20lb, 25lb and 26lb.

The frustrating part was that I had to get off, because I really felt there was another chance to be had if I could have stayed.

Having PVA bags prepared and ready to go made a real difference. When the fish are feeding hard and the opportunities are coming quickly, you don’t want to be wasting time getting a new rig ready. Being able to simply loop a bag on and get the rod straight back out meant I could make the most of what was a relatively short feeding spell. Alternatively,I could have had duplicate stiff hinge rigs ready to go, but I prefer bags for quick bites. If you think a few quick bites might be likely, having two nets set up really helps.

Mark

04/09/2026

Mark’s Blog: Back on the Stalking

My next session was back on the estate lake for a short session, trying to stalk them off the top again.

Would they be up for it?

Not really, as normal! It wasn’t hard to find some fish, especially the grassies, but getting them to take was another matter.

What I’ve found with these fish is that you really want to nail the first cast, dropping the bait into a channel or hole in the w**d where they are hanging around. The closer they are, the more likely you are to get that first cast right.

Sadly, on this occasion they were quite a way out. That meant using a larger controller — a louder splash — and more chance of needing a couple of chucks to get it right.

I didn’t nail it first cast. In fact, it took a few, to be honest. So they were on edge straight away and started to drift off.

After chasing them around for a while, I decided to leave the bread in a channel between the w**d and wait.

Then, from about 30 yards away, I spotted a grassie heading my way, its dorsal sticking out of the water.

I was praying it kept coming and chose the channel where I had the bait.

It did!!

As it approached the bread, I picked up the rod. He stopped, then gulped it down.

So exciting! 🙂

Although it was w**dy, the fish stayed on top, which meant I could land it without having to get the boat out. At over 29lb, I was absolutely delighted to log my third grassie off the top this summer.

They properly did the off after that, so I moved a few swims down where I’d seen a couple cruising along the far bank.

With the largest Korda Developments interceptor — 80g, I think — I could just about reach them. But again, it took a couple of casts, so the fish were on their guard straight away.

At that range I had to use a smaller piece of crust, which made it tricky to see from the bank. Just as I was about to move again, I thought I saw something.

I wasn’t 100% sure.

Then the float started to tow across the surface!

This one buried immediately into the w**d.

It was a boat job.

At 22lb, it rounded off a really nice day.

It was hard work, but that’s what makes stalking them off the top so exciting. When you finally get one to commit, it’s an incredible way to catch them.

Mark

30/08/2026

Congratulations Dan Golding, the Bass Pro Shops hat is yours. Pop in to pick it up.

28/08/2026

Mark’s Blog: Chasing them around

My next session was on Acton. I spent all day chasing the carp around. I forget how many times I moved, but with the sun out they had absolutely sod all interest.

I could find fish, but getting them to pick up a bait was a different matter. Depending on the w**d, I tried putting chods and bags in front of them, but they just weren’t interested.

As the day went on, I decided to settle into the central Conkers swim for the night. Nice view! I found a clear-ish area in the w**d, getting a smooth pull back with a small lead.

I don’t like putting three rods on a spot, as I find a hooked fish will often pick up another line, which then makes it tricky to get everything back out in the dark. So, two rods went on the spot in the w**d, with the third to the left where the w**d ended.

All three rods had stiff hinges on heli set-ups, with the bead 12–18 inches up the leadcore. Two yellow pop ups, one brown. Both spots got a few Spombs of boilie and corn.

At 3am, I had a take from the spot in the w**d and was soon playing a carp in the darkness. A bit later, a lovely 27lb mirror was resting in the net with a yellow pop up hanging out of its mouth.

There was no further action before I had to get off in the morning.

There was plenty of wildlife around to keep me company too. There seem to be loads of mice and voles about at the moment, and the owls were out in force.

Mark

28/08/2026

** BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND OPEN TIMES **

Fri 28th Aug 9-5.30
Sat 29th Aug 9-4
Sun 30th Aug Closed
Mon 31st Aug Closed
Tue 1st Sept Closed
Wed 2nd Sept Closed
Reopen Thur 3rd Sept 9-5.30

Tight lines everyone 🎣😉👍