Pike at Decoy?

[JustMark]

It was a sunny, if chilly day so we decided to take the youngest kids and our granddaughter to one of our favourite family places, Decoy Country Park in Newton Abbot.

This is owned and managed by the local council and consists of a large lake surrounded by woodland trails etc. There is also a play park for the kids with zip slides and the like.

Anyway, enough of that.

There are several notice boards around the lake telling visitors that there are Tench and Perch in the lake. The council have spent a lot of money creating fishing pegs around the water's edge and making many of them accessible to wheelchair users etc.

However, while I was there today I noticed a comotion in the water about 150 yards away.

An adult Coot was having an argument with something and was flapping it's wings causing a helluva splash, feathers everywhere. It's attacker was definately underwater. The coot managed to get away from whatever it was and flew about 20 yards. As soon as it landed though the splashing started again and I saw the briefest flash of silver as the bird was pulled under the surface never to be seen again.

I am absolutely gutted not to have got this on camera, but it made me think. What size of Pike, if indeed that's what it was, is big enough to predate on adult birds like this?

I am going to talk to the head ranger tomorrow and get the lowdown of this as a fishing venue and to pick his/her brains about any Pike reports from there.

I'll keep everyone posted.

[BaggieRich]

Bloody hell, if that was a pike it must be a good 'un.

[JustMark]

That's what I was thinking Baggie. Either that or it's a 'released' Terrapin of gargantuan proportions. Haven't heard of any terriers or local children going missing yet, so still assuming a pike.

Or what if was a Perch? That would be something huh?

[pingu]

cool
out with the spinning rod one afternoon

dave

[Banana Steve]

what if it was a huge Cat mmmmm possible???

[JustMark]

I visited the Ranger today and asked about the Angling at Decoy. The lake was formerly a clay quarry and in places is 120 feet deep. Around the edges, particulalrly on the south side a ledge gradually slopes down to about 20-30ft

Among the 400,000 visitors the park welcomes annually, very few of them come for the fishing. This is after all a park that offers angling as one of the many attractions,not a dedicated fishery per se.

Local anglers however know it for it's excellent Perch and Tench, but also Roach, Rudd and eels are regular catches.



There are Pike in the lake, but they are not generally targetted often. I did ask about the possibility of catfish and the ranger gave a chuckle saying once or twice a year rumours go around about a big cat sighting.



Fishing is allowed only from the excellently marked pegs. Because this is also a nature reserve who's boundary extends to 15m from the shore, other restrictions are barbless hooks, lead free weights, no live baiting, no groundbaiting and no baitboats or keep nets. To be honest, there is so much food thrown into the water every day by folks feeding the ducks, gulls, geese and swans it would be pointless to pre feed here anyway.




Some of the pegs have been designed with wheelchair access in mind, while others present a little more of a challenge, probably to casting more than anything if I'm honest




Parking is 60 pence for the whole day. Very reasonable when you compare the normal gouging of motorists Teignbridge indulges in everywhere else.

An adult day fishing ticket is £6.50 and under 16's pay just £2.00

Season Tickets are £30.00 and £7.00 respectively. All tickets can be purchased from the Rangers office, the catering concession,or the council offices which are nearby (Forde House, Forde Road)

A rod licence is required on this water. Times are an hour before sunrise to an hour after sunset.

This would be a perfect venue for a family day out. There is a play park for the kids. Kayaking and sailboarding in the summer and dinghy sailing in the winter. Catering concessions, toilets and woodland walks will keep everyone else busy while the angler enjoys some line dipping time. I also notice from the information leaflet that from time to time free tuition may be available courtesy of Newton Abbot Fishing Association. (www.newtonfishing.com)

More information from the Park Ranger, Simon Cunningham. 01626 215773

[tjnorton]

Mark what have you done LOL decoy was my secret tench venue. There are some crackers there. It's hard fishing tho the best way is to spod a particle base and fish tight over the top.

tj

[devondave]

ahhhhh!

im with you on this one tj

decoy was going to be my big target this year for some large tench

i have been told that there is cats in there but how true that is i dont know

i would be interested to know more about the tench though

pm me if you wish tj

[tjnorton]

I know of tench to 10lb in there. Usual baits I know ur not susposed to ground bait but I've found the secret and expo mixed with hemp and sweet corn work a treat with either worm, corn or meat as bait. A good pair of binoculars is also recomended along with pre baiting. How's. U any way dave?

[devondave]

ok great thanks i was planning on popping out there in the warmer months at silly o'clock and doing some pre baiting

yes im good thanks tj trying to get more into carp and tench fishing this year so if you fancy going at any time give me a shout!