Summerhayes Fisheries
Summerhayes Fisheries is one of those places that just feels like fishing the moment you arrive – mist on the water, reeds rustling, and the exciting thought of “what might I catch today?” For junior anglers, it’s pretty much the perfect classroom… except this classroom has lakes instead of desks and fish instead of textbooks.Set in the heart of Somerset, Summerhayes offers a wide range of well-stocked lakes that suit everyone from absolute beginners to confident young anglers looking to improve their skills. That means whether it’s your very first time holding a rod or you’re already talking about rigs,…
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- Summerhayes Fisheries
Summerhayes Fisheries is one of those places that just feels like fishing the moment you arrive – mist on the water, reeds rustling, and the exciting thought of “what might I catch today?” For junior anglers, it’s pretty much the perfect classroom… except this classroom has lakes instead of desks and fish instead of textbooks.
Set in the heart of Somerset, Summerhayes offers a wide range of well-stocked lakes that suit everyone from absolute beginners to confident young anglers looking to improve their skills. That means whether it’s your very first time holding a rod or you’re already talking about rigs, floats, and feeding lines, there’s always a lake that matches your level. No pressure, no rushing – just proper fishing at your own pace.
For coaching, Summerhayes really shines. The pegs are safe, spacious, and easy to access, which makes learning stress-free and enjoyable. Coaches can focus on the important stuff: casting safely, setting up tackle correctly, understanding where fish like to feed, and most importantly, how to look after them once they’re caught. It’s not just about catching fish – it’s about learning good habits that will last a lifetime.
One of the best things for juniors is the variety of species. You might catch carp, bream, roach, perch, or even the odd surprise that gets your heart racing and your hands shaking (in a good way!). This variety makes every session exciting and helps young anglers learn how different fish behave and how tactics change throughout the day.
Summerhayes is also a brilliant place for building confidence. There’s something special about watching a float dip under or feeling your first proper bite – and when that happens in a supportive, friendly environment, it sticks with you. Add in a few laughs, a bit of friendly competition, and the odd fishing pun, and you’ve got sessions that juniors talk about long after the nets are dry.
In short, Summerhayes Fisheries isn’t just somewhere to fish – it’s somewhere to learn, grow, and fall in love with angling. And if you ask most juniors at the end of a session, the hardest part isn’t the fishing… it’s packing up and going home 🎣
When fishing at Summerhayes, keeping things simple, safe, and effective is the name of the game – especially for juniors. You don’t need a van full of gear to enjoy a great day’s fishing; the right basics will do the job perfectly.
A float fishing rod around 10–12ft paired with a small, reliable reel is ideal for most sessions. It’s easy to handle, forgiving for beginners, and versatile enough to catch a wide range of species. For younger or newer anglers, a short pole can also be a brilliant option, helping improve bite detection and control without worrying about casting.
Use a light to medium mainline (around 3–5lb) with a simple float setup. This makes it easier to see bites and keeps everything balanced, reducing tangles and breakages. A few ready-made rigs, small floats, and a selection of size 16–20 hooks will cover most situations and help juniors spend more time fishing and less time re-tying.
Every junior angler should also have a landing net, disgorger, and ideally an unhooking mat. These aren’t just extras – they’re essential for looking after the fish properly and learning good angling manners from day one. A small seat box or stool can also make sessions more comfortable, especially during longer coaching days.
When it comes to bait at Summerhayes, simple usually works best – and it keeps things fun and easy for juniors too.
Maggots are a top choice for coaching sessions. They’re easy to use, attract lots of bites, and catch a wide range of fish. Sweetcorn is another favourite, especially for carp, and it’s bright enough for juniors to see clearly on the hook.
Pellets (4–6mm) are great once confidence starts to build, helping juniors learn about feeding little and often. Bread is also well worth having in the bait box – brilliant for shallow water and perfect for teaching bite timing and float control.
A small selection of baits is far better than too many options. Learning when and how to use a bait is just as important as the bait itself – and that’s something our coaches will always help with.
*All bait should be fishery-approved and used in line with on-site rules. Coaches will always advise on what’s best for the lake, the fish, and the conditions on the day.
About
Summerhayes Fisheries is one of those places that just feels like fishing the moment you arrive – mist on the water, reeds rustling, and the exciting thought of “what might I catch today?” For junior anglers, it’s pretty much the perfect classroom… except this classroom has lakes instead of desks and fish instead of textbooks.
Set in the heart of Somerset, Summerhayes offers a wide range of well-stocked lakes that suit everyone from absolute beginners to confident young anglers looking to improve their skills. That means whether it’s your very first time holding a rod or you’re already talking about rigs, floats, and feeding lines, there’s always a lake that matches your level. No pressure, no rushing – just proper fishing at your own pace.
For coaching, Summerhayes really shines. The pegs are safe, spacious, and easy to access, which makes learning stress-free and enjoyable. Coaches can focus on the important stuff: casting safely, setting up tackle correctly, understanding where fish like to feed, and most importantly, how to look after them once they’re caught. It’s not just about catching fish – it’s about learning good habits that will last a lifetime.
One of the best things for juniors is the variety of species. You might catch carp, bream, roach, perch, or even the odd surprise that gets your heart racing and your hands shaking (in a good way!). This variety makes every session exciting and helps young anglers learn how different fish behave and how tactics change throughout the day.
Summerhayes is also a brilliant place for building confidence. There’s something special about watching a float dip under or feeling your first proper bite – and when that happens in a supportive, friendly environment, it sticks with you. Add in a few laughs, a bit of friendly competition, and the odd fishing pun, and you’ve got sessions that juniors talk about long after the nets are dry.
In short, Summerhayes Fisheries isn’t just somewhere to fish – it’s somewhere to learn, grow, and fall in love with angling. And if you ask most juniors at the end of a session, the hardest part isn’t the fishing… it’s packing up and going home 🎣
Tackle
When fishing at Summerhayes, keeping things simple, safe, and effective is the name of the game – especially for juniors. You don’t need a van full of gear to enjoy a great day’s fishing; the right basics will do the job perfectly.
A float fishing rod around 10–12ft paired with a small, reliable reel is ideal for most sessions. It’s easy to handle, forgiving for beginners, and versatile enough to catch a wide range of species. For younger or newer anglers, a short pole can also be a brilliant option, helping improve bite detection and control without worrying about casting.
Use a light to medium mainline (around 3–5lb) with a simple float setup. This makes it easier to see bites and keeps everything balanced, reducing tangles and breakages. A few ready-made rigs, small floats, and a selection of size 16–20 hooks will cover most situations and help juniors spend more time fishing and less time re-tying.
Every junior angler should also have a landing net, disgorger, and ideally an unhooking mat. These aren’t just extras – they’re essential for looking after the fish properly and learning good angling manners from day one. A small seat box or stool can also make sessions more comfortable, especially during longer coaching days.
Bait
When it comes to bait at Summerhayes, simple usually works best – and it keeps things fun and easy for juniors too.
Maggots are a top choice for coaching sessions. They’re easy to use, attract lots of bites, and catch a wide range of fish. Sweetcorn is another favourite, especially for carp, and it’s bright enough for juniors to see clearly on the hook.
Pellets (4–6mm) are great once confidence starts to build, helping juniors learn about feeding little and often. Bread is also well worth having in the bait box – brilliant for shallow water and perfect for teaching bite timing and float control.
A small selection of baits is far better than too many options. Learning when and how to use a bait is just as important as the bait itself – and that’s something our coaches will always help with.
*All bait should be fishery-approved and used in line with on-site rules. Coaches will always advise on what’s best for the lake, the fish, and the conditions on the day.