Fenland Zander

[green lurchers 16,607]

anyone spend time fishing for these awesome predators on the fen drains ? can be an unrewarding task at times and never easy but when it clicks it makes up for the lack fish over previous sessions , I done 10 years plus on the fens from the late 70s onwards, in them days their was little info on them and a few very secretive anglers . was also on the kennet, ouse and avon after barbel ,took 3 yrs to get doubles off them rivers and 10yrs to get doubles off the delph, ouse and middle level for zander, they was a serious challenge for me and my loyal fishing partner

Edited November 15, 2015 by green lurchers

[green lurchers 16,607]

got these 2 off different rivers same day/night started on the 40ft had over a dozen small zander so upped and went to the cut off and bagged 8 fish to 9lb bottom pic knowing they were on the chew I upped again and headed to the middle level and got the elusive mid level zander to a shade over 10lb pic above, over 30 flood warning that weekend Edited November 15, 2015 by green lurchers

[ratbuster 807]

The big ones have " all " gone in this country, partly by taking too many big ones by greedy persons, partly because the quality of the water they're in has improved vastly (great thing for pike, perch, chub and barbel less for bream and zander)

 

Still impressive fish to catch, can be a hit or miss affair, which makes it a real challenge to get a double figure one

[green lurchers 16,607]

The big ones have " all " gone, partly to taking too much by greedy persons, partly because the quality of the water they're in has improved vastly (great thing for pike, perch, chub and barbel less for bream and zander)

 

Still impressive fish to catch, can be a hit or miss affair, which makes it a real challenge to get a double figure one

had a real biggie at the net on the level one night hook pulled was a kick in the ribs after many blanks on that river had to wait another 5 years before I got that low double

[Bo Duke 420]

As a boy I used to read about the fen drains, the Pike and the Zander I caught my fair share of Pike on the somerset drains but have never made it to the fens or caught a Zander either they look like some crackers mate, well done.

[green lurchers 16,607]

As a boy I used to read about the fen drains, the Pike and the Zander I caught my fair share of Pike on the somerset drains but have never made it to the fens or caught a Zander either they look like some crackers mate, well done.

was a strange place had no info to go on , relied on trail and error, after a few years the picture started to build and the catches followed tbut still not easy but was a great time and caught a few pike along the way

[northern lad 2,292]

Would have loved a crack at Zander when I was younger,but theres none for miles around here I remember the fuss kicked up when they first appeared/spread ,youd have thought they were sharks FFS,"theyll empty any water they enter!!" The matchmen hated them...Fair play to you for sticking it out for them Any more pics etc??ATB Dave

[green lurchers 16,607]

Would have loved a crack at Zander when I was younger,but theres none for miles around here I remember the fuss kicked up when they first appeared/spread ,youd have thought they were sharks FFS,"theyll empty any water they enter!!" The matchmen hated them...Fair play to you for sticking it out for them Any more pics etc??ATB Dave

not many pics NL they wernt easy , spent the first few seasons dropping in swims and not catchin much then we got on the method of fishing the winning peg after a match and that worked out for smaller zander , after a few years my biggest was only 5lb but the conditions played the biggest part rain and coloured water things picked up and a few better fish came along , blanks were the norm ,, all in all a whole heap of effort for scant reward, last few seasons we only went in bad weather and the better fish came along and 6 7 8lb fish then a few doubles , takin pics on them drains was a hazard in itself so tended to slip a lot back ,well a few

[Daniel cain 45,146]

Nice fish,only species I'm yet to catch in the UK, come close a few times but they came off at net.atb dc

[green lurchers 16,607]

Excellent that's what I call being keeeeeen lol some cracking photos once again I need a Zander now lol atb AT

good luck if you go after them some of them if you need any tips il help

[Lenmcharristar 9,732]

What are they like to eat and is it true you only catch them on freshwater baits?

[green lurchers 16,607]

What are they like to eat and is it true you only catch them on freshwater baits?

not sure about the eating part but I,m sure their ok maybe boney, , I heard a few got hook on seabaits but only odd fish

[ratbuster 807]

Great fish to eat, rather expensive

 

Lovely texture and taste

 

 

 

Have look at Filet de Sandre....

 

Price for fresh filet € 22 a kilo .....

[green lurchers 16,607]

Great fish to eat, rather expensive

 

Lovely texture and taste

 

 

 

Have look at Filet de Sandre....

 

Price for fresh filet € 22 a kilo .....

lol bet their easier to cook than they are to catch on a fen drain

[mackem 26,262]

I used to read about zander as a kid,always wanted to catch one,but there were none up north.Now i live a few minutes from the thames on a stretch with a very good population of predatory fish,still havent caught a zander as the place is thick with pike,one day..............