Once used to breed many species of decorative and exotic aquarium fish, the ponds were turned into a sport fishery about 7 years ago. The owners tried to remove the original inhabitants but, as we all know, this is never 100% successful and that’s why there are a total of 33 species remaining, many more than any other Welsh fishery. They pop up here and there all the time, giving a great deal of interest to their captors as they try to identify what they’ve netted.

All sorts are here, some having grown much to big to put in any glass bowl, but the mainstay is carp in all of its variety. To accommodate the pleas of the growing number of keen, single-minded carp enthusiasts, one of the four original spring-fed ponds was turned into a “specimen” water of three-quarter acres. Heavily stocked with large fish, all mirror carp, it regularly yields hefty catches of 20lb-plus residents - enough to satisfy the most burned-out carpist. Top weights reach over 28lbs.

If you prefer ghosties then the half-acre adjacent pond nearest to the lodge can provide plenty up to 25lbs or more. The ever-popular 1.5 acre pleasure lake holds large populations of many species including bream of 3lbs, tench to 8lb 8oz, green tench to 6lbs with golden tench and roach and rudd to a very respectable size. Orfe to over 5lbs are regularly recorded, too. Chub and hybrids can pop up nearly anywhere and even a few experimental small barbel have been introduced.

The former match lake has been up-graded with the introduction of large catfish, topping-out at over 36lbs and still growing fast! It is an interesting water with islands, with plenty of carp over 20lbs to provide a worthy alternative. Most of the match silvers were transferred to a new pond (another is being dug). A small koi pond especially for very young anglers has just been opened right next to the lodge where an eye can be kept on their safety.

Access to all water is good with open grassy banks - quite suitable for the disabled and enough room for the longest pole. All ponds are up to 6ft deep with silt bottoms.

TO GET THERE

At Pentre Meyrick on the A48 between Cowbridge and Bridgend, turn south on the B4268. Hazel Court ponds are 1 mile on the right

TICKET PRICES 2009
All Ponds (except Catfish Lake, see below)
If night fishing you must be at the fishery by 7.30pm.
All ponds are available for night fishing.

2 Rods only
Day Ticket Juniors/Seniors £7.00
3 Rods £10.00
24 Hour Ticket £20.00 (for up to 3 rods)

Catfish Lake
Day Ticket £10.00 (£13.00 for 3 rods)
24 Hour Ticket £20.00 (for up to 3 rods)

The Catfish Lake can be reserved at £90.00 for 24 hours. Please ring for details and availability

USEFUL INFORMATION

DISABLED ACCESS Very good.

CONTACT Cliff Wall or Tony, Hazel Court Ponds, Llysworney, nr Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan. CF71 7NQ. Tel 01446 771893.

NEAREST TACKLE SHOP Ewenny Angling Supplies, 11b Ewenny Rd, Bridgend. 01656 662691.

BANS Barbless hooks only. No keepnets except during matches.

FACILITIES Car park. Toilets. Tea. Snacks. Bait (except live).

EXPECT TO CATCH Carp, Tench and almost anything else you can think of.

BASIC BAITS Boilies. Sweetcorn. Luncheon Meat. Maggot.

TACTICAL TIP Very hard to specify with so many willing species, though the corner by the lodge on the specimen pond produces consistently and the far end of the pleasure lake is much sought after.

For more information visit www.hazelcourtponds.co.uk