Frensham Small Pond
Frensham, Surrey
OS Map Reference: SU 858 418
Postcode: GU10 3DW
Water Type: Dammed Estate Lake
Designation: Specialist Carp Water
Size: 30 acres
Maximum Depth: 4 feet
Facilities:
Contacts:
Head Bailiff: Mr. N. Brown
Deputy Bailiff: Mr. F. Price
Local Police 0845 1252222
Stock:
Carp to 40lb
Roach and Rudd to 3lb +
Tench to 8lb
Pike - Perch to 3lb
Once shrouded in secrecy, Frensham Small Pond or Little Frensham (AKA Burton on Sea) played a significant part in the history of modern carp fishing. Although the potential of the water is no longer a mystery known only to a few, the big carp remain the prize for any member willing to put in the effort needed to capture them. Like its larger neighbour, the thirty acre Small Pond also contains a good head of Tench with specimen Roach and Rudd very much on the cards.
Tench (to 8lb+) and Rudd (to 3lb+) are the most common species, but Perch are now making a welcome return after some poor years. The water is also noted for specimen Carp (to 37lb+). Pike are present, some very large ones, but sport is unpredictable. Like Frensham Great Pond, this water is under a great deal of public pressure. Morning, evening and mid-week sessions are recommended.
Members are advised to avoid the beach and swimming areas on Summer weekends and Bank Holidays.
The fantastic Leney Carp on this venue respond to specialist tactics and have seen most presentations over the years and have learnt to avoid them!
Location has to be the key and care in disguising your presentation should result in some memorable captures.
The Rudd are rarely fished for, yet respond well to the usual surface tactics of spraying maggots and a shallow presentation.
Go after Tench with the feeder or waggler and maggots or worms for best results, especially early in the season.
Winter fishing for the Pike can be very rewarding with dead baits presented near the reeds a killer method.
January 2010 to March 2010 – Nigel Brown: Head Bailiff
What a winter, I have never known one as bad, with the lake locked in ice for a good month and with temperatures plummeting and with wind chills down to –13: all of which does little to aid the capture of fish.
That said, a few ‘die hards’ came out in February, but caught no Carp or Pike, but maintained their application until the end of the season. As temperatures sought to climb, the wind-chill knocked it back, until the dying hours of the final day when a Delkim burst into life ! A single solitary tone, the Carp angler just stood there for a split second before realisation dawned and he struck the rod that bent double as the fish surfaced about 140 yards out. After a great fight, all eyes seemed to be on this one angler, the first Carp since the end of October. It pulled the scales around to 26lb, still in its winter colours and covered in leeches, so that’s where they have all been then laid up !
Until next season . . . . . . Nigel Brown – Head Bailiff
November 2009 to mid-January 2010:
November got off to a good start with lots of Jack pike coming to spinners around the reed margins, best weight was just over 18lbs. Not as many Pike bank anglers around this year which is surprising as the quality and size of fish that hit the bank last season was awesome, this included a 33lb monster which has yet to grace the bank this season but has been spotted by a Rudd angler, who vowed never to wade in the pond again after it swam past in front of him.
The Carp seem to have ‘shut up shop’ by late November with the last fish of the year being a 22lb Common, the pictures that were seen of this fish are stunning, ‘a chestnut brown woodcarving’, would be an apt description of this perfect ‘Burton’.
December was wet, cold and misty with very few anglers gracing the bank with just the odd ‘die hard’ who had a good nights sleep.
As we moved into January the weather changed to cold and then very cold, as I write there is probably have about 5 inches of solid ice all across the pond. On the plus side one fish was caught, an 8lb pike to an angler who broke an ice hole in the reed margins, now that’s dedication for you. The ice should have completely thawed by the end of January so lets hope for some better weather for February.
June 2009 to October 2009:
The season started as usual very slowly on the Carp front with just one fish being caught in the first week, but gradually picked up as the anglers located them.
The best Carp to date was one of the ‘old warriors’ of 37lb 2oz Mirror caught by a 14-year old Tench angler. The elusive 40-pounder has yet to be seen this season, although unconfirmed rumours circulate.
Tench & Rudd were getting bagged from just about every swim with Tench weights averaging 4-5lb and Rudd 1-2lb, with the best witnessed at just over 3lb, taken on mini strawberry boilies. Perch started to show in numbers in August to worm and maggot feeder.
September kicked off with a few good Carp, coming out at range, mainly upper 25lb + fish and a few 30lb + fish. Pike started to show in numbers to spinners with very little caught on deadbaits as yet, with the best fish at 26lb to date.
Carp fishing is ‘rock hard’, but if you can sit it out, then you could land a good fish.
Farnham Angling Society Record
| Species | lbs:ozs:drms | kilo.grms | Date | Captor |
| No Records Caught From This Venue Yet! | ||||
- Members can fish all banks with the exception of the Bird Sanctuary and amongst the lilies behind the boathouse.
- Swims within the reed-beds are clearly marked, do not encroach upon the reed beds outside these swims.
- Umbrellas and Stormsides may be used all season, bivouacs are permitted from 1st October until the end of the season.
- No open fires - see Bye-law 4.o page 10 or BBQ's of any kind at this fishery.
- Only barbless hooks are permitted on this water.
- Night Fishing, from 10:30pm until 5:00am, is restricted to ten members at any one time. The first night of the season is to be drawn, 10 tickets per night. Each Member must obtain an authorisation code prior to fishing by calling the ‘System Operator’ on 07903 250905 between 2:30pm and 6:30pm daily.
- Members may only book one night at a time and can not book another until after 3:30pm on the afternoon following that night.
- Non night fishing members must restrict their fishing to the period of 5:00am until 10:30pm.
- The use of lead shot is banned on this water in accordance with the National Trust Bye-laws.
As for Frensham Great Pond, take the A287 travelling south from Farnham. Follow this road to Millbridge and take the first left after the river bridge. After 1.5 miles you will arrive at the northern end of the lake.
There is an FAS car park adjacent to the Warden’s cottage. Please ensure that the car park gate is locked at all times. Use the warden’s cottage entrance for access and park only in the designated area without causing inconvenience to the warden, especially at night.
There are many footpaths to the water.