Specimen Roach Fishing - James Champkin

This entry was posted on 3rd November, 2014

Specimen Roach Fishing - James Champkin

Specimen angler and Angling Direct backed James Champkin has recently been on the trail of big Roach, here's his story…

I have just returned from the Scottish Roach fishing mecca that is Lochnaw Castle near Stranraer. If you keep up to date with news within the specimen fish world, you cannot help but have taken notice of the incredible roach that this venue has produced since its opening to anglers in 2012, with countless fish over 3lb. I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to target these special roach on two previous occasions; the first time I managed six or seven fish over the 2lb benchmark, including two crackers of 2lb 13oz, but during the second week-long trip I drew a complete blank. I was keen to return and set the record straight, and more importantly see whether I could finally bank one of the increasingly elusive three-pounders.

I was to be fishing with a guy called Dan from Kent, whom I’d never previously met, but he certainly sounded like he shared my passion for specimen angling. Upon arrival the conditions seemed perfect – incredibly mild for late October and with a strong south-westerly wind blowing into an area they refer to as the ‘BT Bank’, given its close proximity to a BT power station. We immediately headed to this area, and after putting in a few balls of Dynamite Baits Silver X Roach ground bait containing dead maggots and hemp, we sat bank to acquaint ourselves and get to know each other. Fortunately we got on like a house on fire, so it was sure to be a good laugh if nothing else.

Unfortunately, the fishing turned out to be a lot less stimulating than the company; during the first two days we landed only small fish to around a pound on our helicopter cage-feeder rigs and 10mm boilies. However, on the second evening our fortunes appeared to changing when Dan landed a superb fish of 2lb 11oz at around 7pm – a new personal best for him, and after a few quick photos it was smiles all round. I thought my trip was going to once again conclude without catching one of the bigger fish, and while sitting through some of the more horrendous conditions I’ve had the ‘pleasure’ to fish in, with gales and driving rain, my mood became increasingly sour. However, on the final night this all changed when a big fish of 2lb 11oz hit my net; not quite a personal best, but still a fantastic fish by anyone’s standards. To make things even better, Dan landed a further big fish of 2lb 6oz a few minutes later. Happy days!