Three categories of membership are available at Sumners Ponds which
enable anglers to night fish the waters and give a discount on day-ticket prices.
For details please ring 01403 732539 or 07970 648715 (mobile).
Big Pond
Created by damming the stream in the bottom of a natural valley, Big Pond is more a lake than a pond and holds a large number of common and mirror carp in double figures and the mid 20s with the current lake record being held by a 34lb 7oz common carp.
In addition, there are good heads of tench to 7lbs, chub and bream to 8lbs, perch to a healthy 3lbs, roach to 2lbs and pike to over over 15lbs, making Big Pond an ideal all-round water where pleasure anglers can catch good sized fish throughout the year.
At three-and-a-half acres in size and with 30 pegs, the majority of the lake is about five feet deep, making it an easy to float fish.
However, along the dam side of the lake depths go down to the natural valley floor, giving up to 12 feet in places and making the segment of Big Pond from the dam wall to the island good for fishing the feeder, especially for the silver fish in winter.
Most anglers fishing Big Pond tend either to fish the pole or waggler in the margins or open water, although those who want to reach the island use feeder or ledger tackle. The swims around the island are good not only in summer but also in winter because this is where the bigger chub often tend to hold up.
As one would expect with a water holding carp, fishing floating baits is also effective. Indeed, Sumners Ponds has a reputation for being a good water for taking fish off the surface with good sized specimens falling regularly to dog biscuits, bread crust and floating pellets.
Fishing floating baits in the margins is particularly effective whilst anglers who like fishing for good sized perch should try float fishing lob worms.
Popular baits for those fishing the float or ledger include luncheon meat, sweetcorn, expander pellets, boilies and maggots which are all productive, particularly when fished over coarse fish pellets.
Small Pond
The original farm pond at Sumners Ponds, Small Pond was enlarged about 10 years ago and now provides angling in a delightful setting. The pond typifies everything one would expect from a good old fashioned farm pool and is renowned locally as one of the most prolific waters in the district.
Although just under an acre in size and smaller than Big Pond, it can hardly be classified as 'small'. Indeed, it is what many pleasure anglers would describe as an ideal size, and with plenty of trees, bushes, shrubs and waterside vegetation there are plenty of pegs where anglers can hide away from the fish - and each other!
Whilst the carp in Small Pond may not run as large as those in Big Pond, there are still some big fish to be had with good quality commons and mirrors to 24lbs and an abundance of tench, roach, rudd, chub and perch. Although there are no bream in Small Pond, the roach go to 2lbs - a good size for the species irrespective of the size of water.
The majority of Small Pond is four feet deep with pockets up to eight feet, although the water shallows at the far end from the entrance in the areas where the reeds are encroaching into the water. Because it is reasonably shallow, most anglers fish the pole or waggler,
Whilst many anglers fish in open water, fishing the margins and to reeds at the far end of the pool also provide a good number of fish, particularly on summer evenings and when there are few anglers on the pool.
Again, best baits include luncheon meat, expander pellets, maggots and worm with boilies being a favoured bait for the bigger carp and sweetcorn for general fishing in Spring and early summer.
Again the use of groundbait is limited to one kilo per session, although groundbait is not usually requried as baits are best fished over a tight bed of 2mm coarse fish pellets.
Sumners Ponds on the Net
 Sumners Ponds has its own website where postings keep anglers up to date with what's happening on a regular basis - pay them a visit at www.sumnersponds.co.uk. |
How to get there...
From the North and Horsham: Follow the A264 to Billingshurst and Bognor and pass the Toyota garage on the right. Immediately after the hump back bridge turn left, signposted Barns Green and Christ's Hospital. Follow this road for two miles and you will pass through the village, cross a small bridge over a stream. The turn into Slaughterford Farm is on the right. Follow the track and the fishery will be found behind the farm buildings.
From the South and Coolham: Head north to Barns Green from Coolham crossroads on the B2139. After one-and-a-half miles take the first left at the small crossroads and follow this road for a mile. Pass over the railway crossing, round the sharp right hand bend and turn left into Slaughterford Farm. Follow the track and the fishery will be found behind the farm buildings.
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Sumners Ponds Fishery and Campsite
Since starting to develop the fishery about 12 years ago, owner Simon Smith has created a delightful venue which offers eight acres of fishing on three spring-fed waters; camping and caravaning facilities on a dedicated area as well as on the field which overlooks Big Pond; and an anglers' shop and cafe next to Big Pond.
In the shop bait and fishing tackle plus a small range of groceries and essential items are available for anglers and campers whilst TV connection cables which provide five channels can be hired from the warden or Reception.
There are two camping areas, a main site and one by the lakeside which offer a total of 56 pitches, all with electric hook-up. Thirty four of these are hard standing pitches, 13 are grass and nine are premium angling pitches, each of which has it's own dedicated swim suitable for two anglers. In peak times it is often possible to accommodate tents in the overflow camping field although this does not have electric hook-ups.
The new three-and-a-half acre landscaped match lake provides prolific fishing for barbel, chub, carp, crucians, tench and roach. Primarily designed for match anglers, this water is already providing great sport for day ticket visitors. Anglers wishing to fish the new lake should check availability with the bailiff before starting to fish.
In addition to day-ticket angling, a range of membership options are available for anglers who want to night fish the waters.