BLAZING sunshine bathing lakes, pits and ponds boosted freshwater catches of big fish and match returns.The band of local enthusiasts that have become known as the Caister Carp Clan hit the jackpot once again at the Taswood Fishery where specimens of over 30lb were recorded, writes Roy Webster.

BLAZING sunshine bathing lakes, pits and ponds boosted freshwater catches of big fish and match returns.

The band of local enthusiasts that have become known as the Caister Carp Clan hit the jackpot once again at the Taswood Fishery where specimens of over 30lb were recorded, writes Roy Webster.

Caister brothers Darren and Jason Stamp posted up a dozen beauties, the best of them two commons and one mirror just over the 30lb mark. They also heaved out another nine mirror and ghost carp between 20lb and 25lb.

Two other Caister regulars at Taswood Ray Clarke and Alan Waldron reeled in common carp to 28lb and mirrors to 24lb for their share of some 30 specimen fish over 20lb reported at Taswood last week.

Martham Pits, which re-opened in time for the May Bank Holiday, has also been in great all-round form for quality carp, tench and bream.

Martham club official Mick Bensley reports the that the pits were visited by scores of holiday anglers during the first week of opening when carp to over 20lb and tench to 5lb with quality bream were the order of the day.

“It has gone quieter now, with people back to work, but once the holiday season gets into full swing our fishery is certain to be very busy,” he said.

At Hall Farm, Burgh Castle, the fishery boss Sandie Riches reports some huge carp catches. Great Yarmouth regular John Hubbard heaved out 23 carp during a two-day session, the best a common of 23lb 9oz. Other town rods Dale Patterson and Darren Brown reeled in mirrors and commons to the high teens as did Daniel Tucker of Belton and Nick Lassman of Cobholm.

On the open match circuit the Abbey Waters event was won by Stalham's Dave Dearman with 78lb and Val Burlton of the Pownalls squad was third with 41lb 8oz.

However, top match performance of the week came from Pownalls' Paul Gardiner who won at Colton Lake with a massive carp catch of 120lb 5oz.

On the club scene Sportsmans visited the Willow Lake where the result was: Richard Silverwood 38lb 4oz, Kevin Southey 23lb 8oz, Mick Hannant 21lb 10oz.

The Great Yarmouth Freshwater Angling Club result at Abbey Waters was: Carl Hodgins 70lb 15oz, Kelvan Brown 70lb 14oz and Matt Eckest 49lb 2oz.

Stalham's two recent outings resulted at Holly Farm P Pope 40lb, D Eggerton 39lb 4oz, S Rouse 36lb 4oz. At Willow Lake the winner was Mick Harman 27lb 10oz then Barry Burlton 26lb 9oz and Rodney Patrick 15lb 10oz.

As expected local beaches have produced quality bass on peeler crab in recent days, more especially along the North Norfolk shoreline where specimens nudging double figures have been caught between Waxham and Cromer.

Small codling and bass were the main species caught in the Sam Hook League at Walcot where winner John Carter (Lowestoft) was the winner with 9lb 1oz, then Tony Thomas (Sheringham) 7lb 2oz and Carl Whitlock (Martham) 6lb 12oz.

Open match fixtures

Joe Alden Memorial (Barford Lakes): tomorrow May 17. Book in on 01603 759624.

North Norfolk Spring Open (Great Ouse Estuary, King's Lynn): May 25. 01263 822400.