Weybread Dan Turton Pit (Bottle Pit)

The Dan Turton pit or more commonly called the Bottle pit is the second members only lake reserved for Harleston club members only. It is a very deep lake with depths of nearly 6m and covers about 10 acres. This lake has steep banks all around and has no disabled access to any of the 44 permanent pegs. The pegs are all flat and comfortable and a track runs along two sides with parking behind many pegs and no long walks. The clear water promotes prolific weed growth, with reeds, lilies and weed found close in on every peg providing some very good fish holding features. The abundance of weed can make fishing awkward in the summer months and a weed rake is a worthwhile investment if you plan to fish the lake on a regular basis.

Species and Tactics

The Bottle Pit contains a good head of Carp with fish to just over 30lb, the boilie is the top bait but early in the season floaters also account for plenty of fish. Roving is another good tactic baiting a few likely looking spots in the margins then moving around trying each swim until you find the fish. There are large shoals of big Bream with the biggest fish breaking the 10lb mark and an average of 6lb. Groundbait feeder with corn is the favorite method for the bream, presented on the shallower gravel bars in the pit. Slider fished over groundbait and caster or corn feed is also worth a try for a change and some of the bigger specimens are taken by carp anglers fishing surface baits during the summer when the bream can be clearly seen basking in the sun. For the float angler there are loads of small tench up to 2lb with a few bigger fish also showing occasionally, and plenty of Roach some specimens touching 3lb, Rudd and Perch to add variety to the pleasure anglers catch. Raking a swim and fishing close in near the lilies and reeds is the best bet for a mixed catch, with worm and caster or maggot top baits.