LATEST ADDITIONS

Shimano produced the original big-pit carp reel many moons ago in the form of ground-breaking Long Cast Baitrunner, which has always been the preferred reel of many specimen anglers. The XT-A is the new modernised version of its predecessor, which is just as reliable and as much of a bombproof workhorse as before, with a few additional features that help to improve on what was an already great product. The slow oscillation helps achieve an even better uninhibited line lay to aid distance and accuracy when casting. Constructed from modern materials and with a more up-to-date design, the XT-A Long Cast has been reworked to improve durability and the internal gears redesigned to increase the cranking power.

Matrix ace takes on top Midland carp venue. One of the country's top anglers, Grant Albutt, has taken on prolific Midlands carp water, Shatterford Lakes. Situated in a valley on the Bridgnorth Road (A442) only 10 minutes from Kidderminster and Stourbridge, Shatterford Lakes was established in 1972, and over the years has developed into a great specimen and match type venue. Grant explained: "When the opportunity arose to take on Shatterford, I knew I had to take it.

Set in the Culm Valley, Diggerlakes offers you access to quality carp fishing and pleasure fishing on a day or night ticket basis, with no booking required. With carp to 36lb 1oz, with three other thirties, as well as many twenties, Diggerlakes will soon become the premier day-ticket fishing complex in the south west. Diggerlakes has two great lakes to choose from – Snails Lake and Persey’s Pool, both of which have been carefully stocked to accommodate the different needs of the everyday angler, from float fishing right through to the out-and-out specimen hunter. The stock in these lakes has been hand-picked from some of the best fish farms in the country by Ben Gratwicke, who has been given access behind the scenes to pick the best not only in size but also looks and variation.

Willesley Lake is a spring-fed lake which was dug about 200 years ago as a boating lake for Willesley Hall, a large 18th Century estate owned by the Hastings family. Although trees go down to the water round much of the lake, anglers can fish from any of the the wooden platform pegs whilst bivvies can be erected either where the trees meet the pathway or just back from the water in the field along the far side of the lake from the car park entrance. As one would expect from a 24-acre lake, depths vary from very shallow to about 15 feet at the deepest point in the centre of the lake. However, for the most part depths average five to six feet until quite well out into the water whilst at the far end of both arms even shallower water can be found, which makes for good fishing in hot weather when the carp can be seen cruising the shallows.