If you prefer predator fishing on stillwaters, a little birdie tells me Coombe Abbey in Coventry has been running into some decent pike form, with fish to 22lb banked in the last fortnight.

Coombe is of course also noted for its zander fishing – indeed the Binley day ticket water one of the best venues for specimen ‘zeds’ in the country and I hear that the first double figure fish have been landed as well, with zander falling to small livebaits and sea deadbaits.
It’s one of those stillwaters that shuts for the close season, so you have until March 15th to take advantage, by which time the water’s famed bream shoals should be feeding as well. Day tickets are £4.60 a day (adults) and can be bought on the bank. Call 02476 453 720 for the latest.