Norfolk Fishing Network 2004 - 2024 - East Sussex Fisheries

Fishery Name: Frant Lakes

Address: Hawkenbury Road, Bells Yew Green, Frant, East Sussex, TN3 9AN

Grid Reference: TQ 61182 37158 Car Park Grid Ref: TQ 60719 37078

Sat Nav: TN3 9AN

Phone Numbers: 01892 616424

Email Address: [email protected]

Description: Frant Lakes consist of eight quality coarse fishing lakes which are set on the Kent/Sussex border in 200 acres of parkland. Each of the eight lakes are surrounded by mature trees. Frant Lakes offer both day and night fishing all year round featuring mature English carp 30lb+, perch to 5lb+ as well as bream, roach, chub, dace and barbel. This fishery also features a stretch of the River Teise running through the complex. The largest of the six lakes (Lakes 3 and 4) on the main part of the site, these are actually one lake divided by a causeway and wooden bridge. They are classed as two lakes, although they share the same water and the fish can swim freely under the bridge, they don't. Anglers that fish here on regular basis confirm that fish keep to their own side of the bridge and do not venture to the other side. Lake 5 Waterfall is favourite to many of the regulars and it is one of the smallest lakes, but it's high stocking density makes it the easiest to fish. If you are new to fishing, you need a confidence boost or, like one or two of our Baliffs, you just fancy a relaxing, easy day's fishing-choose Lake 5. Lake 2 Stumps is pretty shallow (1 metre in places) and is sotcked with the most of the pretty fish. All the 'ghosties', the golden orfe, and the koi derivatives are stocked. Lending itself to surface fishing during the summer it can also accommodate larger bivies on it's wide grass bank. Lakes 1 and 6 (Skirmish and Horseshoe) are two match lakes which are situated on the quiet side of the complex. As well as a good head of silver fish, they also contain common carp to 20lb, and in the case of Lake 1, a beautiful jet black 18lb example the most unusual fish you'll ever see. Lake 7 and 8 (The Specimens) holds the biggest carp. Set on their own away from the main lakes, you have to be over 18 to fish these waters. The River Teise runs down beside both the lakes and can offer some exciting 'real' fishing for those who like the wild fish, as well as some sport when fish on the lakes are not feeding. Both the specimen lakes feature heavily snagged spines through their centres, this offers protection for the fish from Cormorants but poses a challenge to anglers. Fish too close to the snags and be too slow on your rods and your quarry will turn and snag you up in a second. New anglers to this part of the complex should stick to the margins or only halfway between the banks and the snags. In the summer surface fishing is the safer way to go. But if you like a challenge, these are the lakes to fish. If, on the other hand you want to sleep in your bivvie and rely on your optics, you might be better off elsewhere on the complex.

Fish Species: Barbel Bitterling Bleak Bream Common Bream Silver Bullhead Carp Common Carp Crucian Carp F1 Carp Carp Ghost Carp Grass Carp Leather Carp Koi Carp Mirror Catfish Wels Chub Crayfish Dace Eel Goldfish Goldfish Brown Grayling Gudgeon Minnow Orfe/Ide Blue Orfe/Ide Golden Orfe/Ide Silver Perch Pike Pumpkin seed Roach Rudd Rudd Golden Ruffe Schelly Stickle back Stone Loach Sturgeon Tench Tench Golden Walleye Zander

Rules: Right, our rules fall into three categories, those that relate to the fish, those that relate to you the angler, and those that apply to the property. The Fish: Firstly to fish at Frant you have to be over 18 or have someone over 18 with you at all times and have with you the following basic equipment other than obviously your rod. A landing net - depending on whether you are fishing the main lakes or the specimen lakes you will need either a 24" or a 36" landing net. A landing mat - to protect the scales of the fish when unhooking them on the bank, not sharing one with your mate, one of your own. Barbless hooks - If you get snagged up, the fish cannot shake off the hook and will die, therefore if we find you using barbed hooks, even microbarbs, you will be asked to leave the lakes. Braid - We don't allow braid as main line, but hook links are permitted. Coated only and maximum length of 12 inches coupled with a barbless hook please. When handling fish, we expect nothing less than considerate landing and handling. On the bank we want them speedily unhooked, if you want a photo, hold the fish below your knees so that when you drop them, (it's easy to do even if you feel you have a good hold on the fish - they're slippery...) they stand a chance of surviving the fall. The Angler: We want you to enjoy your fishing at Frant, we also want those fishing near you to enjoy themselves too. Anglers are reminded that stalking is not permitted at Frant. We ask that the lakes are as quiet as possible at all times, but particularly so at night. When setting up we realise that bivvie pegs have to be hammered in, and we also know you want to exchange bit of banter with those fishing with you, but spare a thought for those who arrived before you and have been coaxing the fish to their swim only to have someone turn up, make a racket and then want peace and quiet for their own fishing. Anglers are reminded that they need to be prepared when camping out beside the lakes, particularly at night. It is a condition of entry that we will assume you have a weatherproof shelter, warm clothing a torch and a working mobile phone as the minimum equipment for spending a night here at Frant Lakes. Although alcohol is not prohibited on site, excessive consumption will result in your expulsion from the fishery as will the use of any illegal substances, and we also reserve the right to notify the Police and other agencies of your vehicle registration number. We operate a secure site here at Frant. Outside opening hours the gates are locked and entry and exit are forbidden. Perimeter alarms trigger if you try to climb over the gates, friends who want to visit you at night whilst the site is closed should be informed that they will be asked to leave, as will you. Dogs - We don't allow them here under any circumstances. Children - We don't allow under 18s on site without an accompanying adult. If you are bringing a youngster with you, please ensure that they are well behaved. Bait boats - Best to assume we don't allow them. We have no objection to them in principle but our customers don't like them and to be fair you don't need one at Frant. Spectators - We allow one spectator per angler during the day. At night our insurance company will not accept that there is a reason to watch someone fish in the dark, so we don't allow it. We may, at our discretion, allow partners and family members to stay with you subject to a £8.50 charge. Please check with the office before arrival. The Property: Rubbish - Please ensure that all rubbish is placed in one of the many bins situated around the site. Barbeques - We allow them, please be careful. The fire risk is acute during the summer months, we prefer the disposable type which we ask you to douse with water after use. Open Fires - These are strictly forbidden. Anyone lighting a fire on the site will be asked to leave. Access - In the summer months the lakes are open from 7am to 7pm every day. We like you to be off the water by 4.45pm and off the site by 5pm. When you Arrive. When you first arrive at Frant, we have a long downhill approach road to the security office, please approach this barrier slowly, we have a 10mph speed limit on the site At the barrier all those in the vehicle need to get out and report to the office to purchase your ticket. The tackle shop, cafe and toilets are all in the main building and we can point those out to you whilst you are waiting. It helps our bailiffs if you know what you want, obviously we are pleased to give advice but on a busy weekend, a phone call beforehand will mean less waiting time for you and those waiting behind you. When you are issued your ticket it will be stapled to a green information card , this has a map of the site, the location of the lifebelts, toilets and car parks. For those of you staying overnight it also has important information regarding our security company, and what to do and who to call in an emergency. When you have passed though the security barrier you should then drive to one of the two car parks, stopping by the lakes is not permitted. Cars and people don't mix and we want you to be safe. If you have a ticket for the main lakes you may fish on any swim on lakes 1 to 6 subject to match bookings on the day. If you have a specimen lake ticket, please park in the main car park. The Frant Lakes Jeep has signs on both doors, please load your gear and you will be taken down to your swim. Finally, we can only put fish in the lakes we can't make them jump on your hook!

Facilities: With the opening of the new fishing lodge building, Frant Lakes now boasts some of the best facilities in the South East. We have a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating areas offering a full English breakfast menu and tasty light meals during the summer months and at weekends by arrangement in the winter months. Our newly refurbished tackle shop offers a wide range of bait and tackle for use both here at Frant and, if you're on your way elsewhere or a simply trying to find somewhere to park while you buy your supplies, drop in and have a look round. The new lodge features the latest disabled toilet facilities and shower suite for overnight and long stay anglers. As well as our new building, Frant has tarmac roadways, outside toilet facilities for use at night and standpipes for drinking water in strategic locations around the site. Our policy of locked gates at night and use of CCTV on all parts of the site should reassure all our visitors.