Avalon Fisheries

A Junior-Friendly Coarse Fishery in the Heart of Somerset

Avalon Fisheries is one of Somerset’s most well-known and respected coarse fisheries, offering a peaceful countryside setting combined with excellent fishing. Located near Shapwick, this venue is perfectly suited to junior anglers, families, and coaching sessions, with safe, well-maintained banks and a strong emphasis on good fish welfare.

For young anglers learning the ropes, Avalon provides a brilliant mix of species, consistent sport, and a calm environment that helps build confidence, skills, and enjoyment from the very first cast.

🌿 The Lakes at Avalon Fisheries

Avalon Fisheries is made up of several well-stocked lakes, each offering something slightly different, making it ideal for both beginners and developing junior anglers.

Match & Pleasure Lakes

The main lakes are designed for match and pleasure fishing, with comfortable pegs, good access, and reliable fishing throughout the year. These lakes are particularly suitable for juniors as they allow coaches to adapt sessions based on ability level, from simple float fishing to more advanced methods as confidence grows.

Species & Stock

Junior anglers can expect to encounter a wide variety of coarse fish, including:

• Carp
• Bream
• Roach
• Rudd
• Perch
• Tench

This variety keeps sessions exciting and educational, allowing children to learn how different species behave and how tackle and techniques can be adapted.

🧒 Perfect for Junior Anglers & Coaching Sessions

Avalon Fisheries is an excellent venue for junior coaching days thanks to:

• Flat, safe pegs with good visibility
• Calm waters ideal for learning float control
• Plenty of bites to keep young anglers engaged
• A peaceful, well-managed environment

Our coaching sessions at Avalon focus on more than just catching fish. Juniors are taught water safety, fish care, tackle setup, and responsible angling, helping them grow into confident and respectful anglers.

Parents are encouraged to stay involved, making sessions both educational and enjoyable for the whole family.

🎯 What Juniors Will Learn Here

During sessions at Avalon Fisheries, junior anglers can expect to learn:

• Setting up float and feeder tackle
• Casting safely and accurately
• Playing and landing fish correctly
• Unhooking and fish care techniques
• Understanding swims, depths, and features
• Basic angling etiquette and safety

Avalon’s consistent fishing makes it a fantastic place for children to see progress quickly, boosting confidence and enthusiasm.

When fishing Avalon Fisheries, simple and reliable tackle works best, especially for junior anglers. Sessions are designed to build confidence and good technique, so balanced setups that are easy to control are ideal.

A 4–6 metre pole is perfect for beginners, allowing juniors to fish accurately at close range while learning bite detection and fish handling. For those using a rod and reel, a light float rod (around 10–11ft) paired with a small reel and light line provides excellent control without being overwhelming.

Simple float rigs are ideal for learning depth control and presentation, while light feeder or bomb setups can be introduced as confidence grows. Hooks should be kept sensible in size, matched to bait and fish size, and always barbless or micro-barbed where required.

All tackle should be set up with fish care in mind, including the use of unhooking mats, disgorgers, and landing nets suitable for carp and silver fish.

Avalon Fisheries offers a wide range of species, making it a great venue for teaching juniors how different baits attract different fish.

Sweetcorn is a firm favourite and works well for carp, bream, and tench, while also being easy for younger anglers to use. Maggots are excellent for catching roach, rudd, and perch, keeping bites coming and helping maintain focus during sessions.

Soft pellets and expanders are ideal for introducing juniors to modern coarse fishing techniques, particularly when targeting carp at close range. Worms are also a brilliant all-round bait, especially when mixed species are present.

Groundbait, if used, should be kept simple and introduced sparingly to avoid overfeeding. Coaches focus on teaching juniors when and how to feed correctly rather than using large amounts.