NEW TIPS COLUMN from Lee Kerry
Lee Kerry explains why in this new series
THIS week we welcome one of Britain’s finest match anglers to Angling Times. Lee Kerry, England International and current Match Angler of the Year, will be revealing his secrets every fortnight, and to start off explains why worms are so important at this time of year bream.
The Preston Innovations star reckons worms are vital both as feed and on the hook, following a couple of matches at bream water Southfield Reservoir that produced very different results…
“With June just days away, there has never been a better
time to start introducing some worms to your side tray. Water temperatures should now be well into double figures, and this seems to go hand in hand with the fish switching on to worms.
“I’m sure there is some science behind this, but as an angler I can tell you this is definitely the case. And all the shallow venues that warm up first – including Southfield Reservoir – seem the first to want worms.”
worms to the fore
“With that in mind, a bag of worms has played a key role in my recent trips to Southfield Reservoir, a venue dominated by feeder fishing.
“Both the NuFish Feeder King and Sonubaits Feeder Masters Super League have taken place there in recent weeks.
“For me, these important matches on the venue were definitely a mixed bag on the results front, but I started well, winning the NuFish match with 28lb of bream on the first qualifier – I was absolutely delighted to make it back to the final to defend last year’s title.
“However, the following week I was greeted with much calmer conditions for the Super League. This event has qualifying rounds and attracts huge interest. More than 60 teams applied to be part of it, and the league itself is made up of 15 teams.
“Following Ringer Baits’ two-year dominance, many of the teams, including my own Preston Innovations side who came second last year, were keen to get off to a good start.
“With some great bream fishing and catches dominated by the use of worms, the match was close. Mainline DGG took the honours with 15 points, Ringer Baits were close behind on 18
and my team were back in sixth with 28, but with three rounds left it’s still all to play for.
“As for me, calm conditions meant my worm tactics brought the fish into my swim, but catching them proved difficult.
“A few late changes got me up to 18lb, still some way short of the 42lb winner of my England Feeder teammate Phil Ringer.
“So that’s the first round over and I’m sure worms will be just as important in the next one.”