1. Bridgwater & Taunton Canal

Brief description of fishery:

The Canal has some great fishing throughout its length with specimen Roach, Rudd, Bream and Tench along with good predator fishing for Pike, Perch, and Eels.

The Canal is a wonderful stretch of water with it’s current management style has become a more natural area. The canal has been restored over the years by British Waterways, Canal and River Trust and Somerset County Council.

The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal opened In 1827. Originally the Canal ran from Taunton to Huntworth where it joined the River Parrett. In 1837 a further act was obtained by the engineer James Hollinsworth, authorising the extension from Huntworth to Bridgwater the building of the dock and its entrance lock to the River Parrett.

The Canal has some great Tench fishing, they can be caught all year but generally from April through to September or the end of the warmer weather. A common tactic to target the Tench has become fishing with a bed of chopped worm, caster and corn using a strong pole tight to any reeds.

Traditional methods still work and it great to rove with a single rod looking for fish.

There are several shoals of bream along the Bridgwater Angling Association length of the Canal along with some large nomadic fish that show up each year. The Bream react well to regular baiting so it may be worth finding them then some regular sessions to get amongst the better fish.

There are some specimen Rudd present throughout the canal. The Rudd and Roach fishing can be productive all year round. They fish become more confident when the Canal is holding a little colour. During the colder months with clear water maggots (of all sizes),  liquidised bread and bread punch, do well feeding regularly. 10 to 20lb Bags are quite common.

The Predator fishing can be real fun whether you like to rove with lures or are happy to sit it out behind some baits. The Pike and Perch can be caught by lure all year although fishing with deadbaits is restricted to October to March 15th. Roving with worms can also be very effective for the Perch with specimen fish caught each year.