Hi,
I also fish a deep lake which were originaly Salt mines up here near Blackpool at ten mts out on the pole i am fishing in 15 to 18 ft of water. I normally fish a 2-3 gram float on 5lb main line with a ollivete about 18-24 inch above the hook .I also normally use about a 3lb hooklengh.I find using a big ollivete so close to the hook gets the bait down into the swim quicker when the fish are really having it. Hope this helps.

Fish close in just where it drops off to main depth and fish your peg on an angle like when your margin fishing lay your rig up the inside shelf I have fished a number of Irish venues like this some 15ft deep and bagged up.

If your fishing the pole try placing a couple of no.8s an inch or two from the hook. Also if you are feeding chopped worm and caster, feed it through a sticky groundbait and squeeze it firm (ooh er). You will know when decent fish have moved over it because they will nose it and release bubbles to the surface. Fish a couple of dendras over the top for sailaways.

Get a bait dropper to get some bait on the bottom, I rarely go above a 1.5g float even in that depth, something like a drennan quad. Don’t use really light elastic probably step up a grade so you can set the hook, and if possible get a long landing net handle as the fish surface further out!

Deep shallow def work soon… Probably somethin in the region of 4 feet deep to start with. Even the tench may come shallow in that depth. Other species you mention def would.

Never rule out fishing shallow with very modest amounts of loose feed to bring the fish up.

When fishing on the bottom make sure your pole is up to the task. You will really put pressure on the 3rd, 4th & 5th sections! Black hydro?Preston hollo 15 as a minimum.
Regards Peter.

Les, who told you it’s that deep? Someone’s pulling your pudding mate or they’re using them feather plummets again! You’re talking about Datchet I presume and the Vitalin brigade are emptying it but trying to keep their catches hush hush so no-one else fishes there!
7lbs+ Tench, Double-figure Bream and some very big old Carp have been coming out lately but it will be interesting to see how it reacts to having a match on it on Sunday! If I get time I’ll try and get over for a wander.