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Westport Lake
Description
A medium size water situated in the heart of industry and pot banks,
Westport has seen a lot of angling pressure over the years. Even
so it seems to produce fish each season and only a couple of seasons
ago a fish of 30lb was reported. Recently taken over by Middleport
WMC, Westport is now being treated as a proper fishery with sensible
rules to help fish conservation. Water clarity is usually good,
crystal clear for the majority of the time, but during summer it
is usually subject to a heavy algal bloom. Depth wise this is quite
a shallow lake, ranging from 2' to 6' at the deeper southern end.
Throughout most of the year the water is quite weedy and a lot of
pike can be found holing up in these areas. Many carp anglers tell
of being bitten off while retrieving their baits especially near
the weed beds on the east side. Weekend fishing can be very busy
so it pays to arrive early, the only drawback is that the gate doesn't
open until late so you may have to park elsewhere and walk to the
water.
Tactics
With Westport being very clear I like to fish baits in a way in
which they are at their most visible.
During the warmer months lures catch loads of pike, at this time
of year pike can be found all over the lake, but the south end tends
to produce the majority for me. Admittedly most of my lure caught
pike have been on the small side, the largest around 14.5 lb, but
it is not uncommon to have catches into high single or double figures.
When the water colours up then vibrating lures like spinnerbaits
or large in line spinners still catch. Watch out for snags about
12' out as they have claimed many a lure. Westport is most pressured
during autumn and winter so it pays to try and stay one step ahead
of the rest, flavoured and coloured baits have worked well for me
taking a good number of fish including a couple of twenties. Most
of the productive swims tend to be at the south end of the lake,
fishing along this stretch will more often than not turn something
up.Fish are also caught in good numbers along the eastern side.
Note : fishing is not allowed on the small lake!
Tickets
Tickets must be purchased before fishing, from Pickerings tackle
shop at Burslem. Price: £3 for adults (2 rods) and £1.50
for juniors/oaps. Season tickets cost £20 adult, £5
Junior/oaps including night fishing.
Location
From Newcastle, take the A500 until the Burslem exit. Take the fourth
exit off the roundabout, drive for half a mile until reaching next.
Follow road to the left passing CDC and Matrix keep fit gym, Westport
is the next left right after Matrix Gym/
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