The Sedges Fishery

The Sedges Fishery is one of Somerset’s most popular and accessible coarse fishing venues, making it an excellent location for junior angling coaching and family-friendly fishing sessions in the Bridgwater area. With a choice of well-maintained lakes and a canal-style water, The Sedges offers young anglers the chance to learn a wide range of fishing skills in a safe, welcoming environment.

For juniors just starting out, Tile Lake is a fantastic introduction to stillwater fishing. Stocked with carp, F1s, and a variety of silver fish, it provides regular bites and steady action, helping young anglers build confidence quickly while learning basic techniques such as pole fishing, feeding accuracy, and fish care.

Brick Lake offers a step up for developing juniors who are ready to refine their skills. With slightly deeper water and a mixed stock including carp, tench, skimmers, and roach, it’s ideal for practising improved pole control, float fishing, and understanding how fish behave in different conditions. Brick Lake is often used to help juniors progress from beginner methods to more advanced coarse fishing techniques.

Running alongside the lakes is the Sedges Canal, a classic canal-style venue that’s perfect for teaching traditional angling skills. Slower-paced and more technical, the canal helps juniors learn patience, precision, and watercraft. It’s an excellent setting for whip fishing, light pole work, and developing an understanding of features such as margins, far banks, and natural holding areas.

Across all areas of The Sedges Fishery, pegs are well laid out, access is straightforward, and the venue has a strong reputation for being friendly and supportive of junior and family anglers. This makes it an ideal setting for structured coaching sessions, school-holiday activities, and regular junior angling development in Bridgwater.

Whether a young angler is catching their very first fish, learning to fish responsibly, or progressing towards more advanced techniques, The Sedges provides the variety, safety, and fish stocks needed to support every stage of their angling journey.

Choosing the right tackle for the time of year helps young anglers fish comfortably, learn faster, and develop good habits on the bank. At The Sedges Fishery in Bridgwater, our recommendations focus on simple, versatile setups that suit junior anglers while matching the venue’s lakes and canal-style waters.

🌱 Spring – Light, Simple & Confidence Building

Spring is ideal for introducing juniors to angling as fish begin to feed more consistently. Shorter setups work best at this time of year, with a 4–6 metre pole or whip allowing young anglers to fish close in with good control. Light floats and balanced rigs help develop bite detection and accuracy, while sensible elastic and line choices ensure fish can be landed safely. A lightweight waterproof layer is recommended, as spring conditions can change quickly.

☀️ Summer – Comfort, Control & Progression

Summer provides the most consistent fishing and is often when juniors gain confidence quickly. A 5–7 metre pole gives flexibility across Tile Lake, Brick Lake, and the canal, allowing young anglers to fish both margins and open water comfortably. Stronger elastics and slightly more robust rigs help manage larger carp while maintaining control and reducing tangles. Sun protection, hydration, and comfortable seating become just as important as tackle during warmer months.

🍂 Autumn – Accuracy & Watercraft

As temperatures cool, fishing becomes more about accuracy and understanding fish movement. Shorter poles or whips come back into regular use, helping juniors focus on precise feeding areas and improved float control. Lighter rigs and more controlled fishing styles suit species such as roach, rudd, perch, crucian carp, and tench. Warm layers and waterproof clothing help keep young anglers comfortable as conditions change.

❄️ Winter – Sensitive & Manageable Setups

Winter fishing at The Sedges is slower-paced and perfect for teaching patience and good angling discipline. A 3–5 metre whip or short pole keeps things simple and manageable, helping juniors maintain accuracy without fatigue. Fine, sensitive rigs and careful presentation are key when targeting silver fish, perch, and crucian carp in colder water. Thermal clothing, gloves, and waterproof footwear are strongly recommended to keep juniors warm and focused.

🎯 Coaching Guidance for Parents

At our junior coaching sessions, all essential tackle is provided and carefully selected to suit the season, venue, and ability of each child. For families buying tackle for independent fishing at The Sedges, we always recommend starting with simple, versatile equipment rather than specialist setups, allowing young anglers to build confidence before progressing.

Using the right bait for the time of year helps young anglers catch more fish, stay engaged, and learn how fish behaviour changes through the seasons. At The Sedges, our recommendations focus on reliable, easy-to-use baits that suit juniors fishing Tile Lake, Brick Lake, and the canal.

🌱 Spring – Light Feeding & Regular Bites

As water temperatures begin to rise, fish at The Sedges become more active but can still be cautious. In spring, smaller, natural baits work best for junior anglers, helping encourage steady bites without overfeeding the swim. Maggots and pinkies are excellent choices for targeting roach, rudd, perch, and skimmers, while small pellets can begin to attract carp and crucian carp as the water warms. Feeding little and often helps juniors learn control and accuracy while keeping fish interested.

☀️ Summer – Confidence & Variety

Summer is when fishing at The Sedges is at its most consistent, making it an ideal time for juniors to experiment with a wider range of baits. Sweetcorn, pellets, meat, and maggots all work well across the lakes, with carp, tench, bream, and crucian carp feeding confidently. Juniors learn valuable lessons about matching bait size to fish size and understanding when to switch baits if bites slow down. On warmer days, regular feeding helps keep fish active in the swim.

🍂 Autumn – Natural & Selective Baits

As temperatures cool, fish begin to feed more selectively. Autumn is a great time for juniors to learn restraint and watercraft. Maggots, casters, worms, and smaller pellets are ideal for tempting roach, perch, rudd, and crucian carp, while still offering chances of carp and tench. Reducing feed quantities and focusing on accuracy helps young anglers understand how fish respond to changing conditions.

❄️ Winter – Minimal Feed & Small Baits

Winter fishing at The Sedges is slower-paced and perfectly suited to teaching patience and observation. Smaller baits such as single maggots, pinkies, chopped worms, or tiny pellets are most effective, especially when fishing the canal or targeting silver fish. Feeding is kept to an absolute minimum, helping juniors learn that subtlety often produces the best results in colder water.

🎯 Coaching Guidance for Parents

At our junior coaching sessions, bait is always chosen to match the season, venue, and ability of each child. When fishing independently at The Sedges, parents are encouraged to keep bait choices simple and manageable, allowing juniors to focus on learning good technique rather than constantly changing options.