Oakview Lake Reviews

All of these 5 stars are for real - you'll find the exact same hand-written versions on the bookshelf in the lodge.

Freak April Heatwave Brings on Spawning
By Duncan de Gruchy on 22 April 2018

A freak April heatwave brought on pre-spawning behaviour, which slowed down feeding activity. 6th visit here and will keep coming back. Fantastic accommodation, surroundings and of course the hosts Martin and Shirley.

Managed to land a 40lb mirror on Complex T pop up before the fish switched off.
Lovely Being Back
By Jamie, Amy and Jake Stitt on 19 November 2017

Wow, time flies too quick at Oakview Lake. It was lovely being back after 3 years. Although the weather has been very cold, we are very pleased to be leaving with 10 fish in the bag up to 43lb. Our little boy Jake has had a fabulous time and we have made some fantastic family memories. Already planning our next visit. Shirley and Martin have been outstanding as always, couldn't want for nicer hosts. Love Amy, Jamie and Jake xxx

Fishing tactics: Fished various bottom baits, pop ups and zig rigs to areas of fish activity and movement.

Catch: 1 x 40, 6 x 30s and 2 x 20s.
Always a Brilliant Week
By Simon Watson and Barry Plummer on 4 November 2017

As always a brilliant week spent in this lovely location. We have been coming here for many years on and off and have now been for the last 3 consecutive years. 2 anglers caught 11 carp between 26lb 12oz and 43lb 4oz. 2 non anglers spent a week of relaxation in this very comfortable and well-equipped lodge. When needed the heater kept the whole lodge warm and cosy. The kitchen has everything you need, we were even able to cook a full roast for 7 people. The hosts Martin and Shirley are so helpful and kind, our friends for life. Looking forward to returning next year. Si, Baz, Julie and Dawn.

Fishing tactics: Variety of baits used with pop ups fished to both sides of the island from the home swims.

Catch: 2 x 40s, 6 x 30s and 3 x 20s.
Another Perfect Week
By Callow Family on 28 October 2017

Another perfect week at Oakview Lake. Thanks again Shirley and Martin, you have got it just right - perfect hosts. Worth every penny (Book Early!).

Fishing and tactics: Jessie equalled her PB of 42lb 4oz this time. Hopefully she will catch another PB here in 2019. Caught fish on both sides of the island. Cell and artificial yellow corn plus Krill.

Carp caught: 44lb 2oz, 42lb 2oz (Jessie's 3rd Oakview 40 pounder), 38lb 4oz and 33lb 2oz.
Absolutely Brilliant Lake
By Martin Cochrane on 22 October 2017

Absolutely brilliant lake, nice fish and the best hospitality you could ask for. Food amazing - will definitely be back.

Fishing tactics: Mix of baits used, including Cell, Nutcracker and LDM. Fish caught left and back margin, island and hard spots found in mid water.

Catch: 1 x 40, 3 x 30s and 7 x 20s.
Can't Wait For Our Next Visit
By Daniel Harris and Naomi Dawson on 14 October 2017

Thank you for a lovely stay at Oakview Lake. The accommodation was 5 star and was nice to lie out in the sun. Shirley and Martin are very helpful and are lovely hosts. A lovely relaxing holiday for a couple and will definitely be returning in the future. Will thoroughly recommend to anyone who loves carp fishing and a peaceful time away. Can't wait for our next visit!!!

Fishing and tactics: A good week of carp fishing catching 9 carp in total (4 commons, 4 mirrors and 1 grass carp), even a 44lb 6oz PB! Bait used was Pro Seed, fished to left margin, mid water and bowl.

Catch sizes: 2 x 40s, 3 x 30s, 2 x 20s, 1 x 17lb 8oz common and 1 x 12lb 4 oz grass carp.
Always Have a Great Week
By Andrew and Luke Faith on 8 October 2017

What can I say - 4th year here and we always have a great week. Fishing good - we both caught personal best carp, Shirley and Martin are great and we would recommend Oakview to anyone (BIG FISH NICE FISH). If you are looking for a great fishing lake this is the place. Great for the family as well.

Fishing Tactics: Fished from the left and far banks (no bait boats used). Caught well from the near margins and then switched to open water when the fish started moving out.

Total catch 17 carp: 2 x 40s, 11 x 30s and 4 x 20s.
Excellent
By Derek Morris on 1 October 2017

Food and lodge - excellent. Fishing not good this week - water level very low. Only 4 fish caught. What fun we had though, thanks. Keith, James, Phil and Derek.

Tactics and fishing: Fish mix boilies and very small amounts of bait.
5 Star Holiday Lake
By Duncan de Gruchy on 24 September 2017

I had a great week as usual. My 5th visit to Oakview and unfortunately the carp were not playing the game, with very few signs of feeding and movement all week. That's carp fishing though and I will be back again in April for another try. Thoroughly enjoyed it - superb food/accommodation etc. 5 star holiday lake. D de G.

Fishing and conditions: High pressure brought clear blue skies and cold nights. Duncan fished days only from the home swim and spent a few hours fishing from the far bank. Baits were boilie over pellet.

Catch: 37lb 4oz mirror, 34lb mirror and a 14lb common.
Wonderful Weeks' Fishing
By Phil English and Brian Latheron on 16 September 2017

Wonderful weeks' fishing at Oakview. Accommodation first class. Shirley and Martin are great hosts and go the extra mile to ensure the holiday meets expectations.

Fishing Tactics: Both fished from the home swims to spots either side of the island and lake margins. Nut Crunch boilies caught the most fish.

Catch: 3 x 40s, 9 x 30s, 2 x 20s and a grass carp (11lb 12oz).
Home From Home
By Billy, Kayleigh and Jimmy Berridge on 9 September 2017

We come here often. No need to say more.

Fishing Conditions and Tactics: Warm days and cool nights with some rain - perfect! Only fished 2 days and nights. Krill hard hook baits snowman style over boilie-only beds.

Catch: 1 x 40, 5 x 30s and 4 x 20s.
An Oakview Lake Classic
By Paul and Janice on 2 September 2017

This trip to Oakview was a classic. Had a great time with family and my catch included two new personal best carp. The weather went from extremely hot to cool and then to warm sunny days with the odd thunderstorm.

Fishing Tactics: Fished both sides of the lake from the home swim and both sides produced results. One surprise was that most of the bigger carp came from the right, where the water is quite shallow and very warm after the drought this year. I found out early on that a boilie-only approach to baiting produced the best results.

18 carp caught: 3 x 40s, 5 x 30s and 10 x 20s.
A Wonderful Fortnight
By Bob & Viv Osborne-Carey on 20 August 2017

Really don't know what to say this time as we've said it all before (20th week at Oakview Lake). We have had a wonderful fortnight. Shirley and Martin are perfect hosts and are really good friends of ours now. We look forward to our return next June. Love Viv & Bob xx.

Fishing tactics: Manilla boilies popped up over coconut boilies, pellet, hemp and garlic surprise parti-mix.

Catch: 23 carp - 2 x 40s, 8 x 30s, 9 x 20s and 4 grass carp (12 to 15lb 12oz).
Lovely Lake & Good Fish
By Trevor and Mags with Gary and Sue on 5 August 2017

Lovely lake, good fish, very good hosts and successful fishing too!

Fishing tactics: Fished left and right of island from home swims. Caught on Manilla and Coconut Crunch.

catches: 1 x 40, 8 x 30s,1 x 29 and 2 pike.
Two Year Wait Worth Every Day
By The Lang Clan on 30 July 2017

Peter and Sharon Lang with grand daughter Ellie (photographer) and Megan the cockapoo puppy

The two year wait was worth every day. What a fantastic 'Birthday Boy' week's vacation. Shirley and Martin -you are are a class act. The lodge was better than our memories recall. No 'blue moon' this time, but plenty of stunning carp and the years of waiting for a 30lb common are over (new PB common at 31lb 8oz). Wonderful hosts and a great place. The peaceful terror continues lol.

Ellie's comments: We all loved staying here and it's been an action packed holiday! Thank you so much for helping us with the dentist and vet. Can't wait for next year!

Fishing tactics: Snowman presentation with over-balancing to give mini pop up effect 2 inches off the bottom. Scopex Squid and Cell boilies over favourite baiting mixes. Most came from the bowl with 2 surprise catches from the front of the island.
Catch: 1 x 40lb, 3 x 30s, 3 x 20s and a 14lb grass carp. The 40lb 4oz mirror got away before the water photo could be taken.
Great Week
By Clarkes and Taylors on 23 July 2017

This was our third trip to Oakview Lake and after a mixed bag of weather, a great week was had by all. For me, I had 3 personal best carp out of 6 fish - 38lb 15oz, 41lb 12oz and 42lb 9oz (other three anglers blanked). We will return.

Fishing tactics: Caught on Nutcracker tipped with plastic maize and a trio of 2 x maize and 1 x plastic maize. All caught on left hand side of the lake.

Catch report: 2 x 40s, 2 x 30s and 2 x 20s (3 x PBs).
Another Brilliant Trip at Oakview
By Philip and James Anderson on 16 July 2017

Another brilliant trip here at Oakview. The lake, accommodation and hosts have been excellent as always.

Fishing conditions: A storm on Sunday night and sporadic rain showers resulted in low pressure and cooler temperatures, the fishing has been great as a result.

Tactics: Activ 8 as bottom baits fished over boilies. Hot spots were the left margin (before the bowl) and the far right margin (close in).

Catch: 25 carp - 1 x 40, 10 x 30s, 12 x 20s and 2 x grass carp
Excellent Week
By The Mansfields on 10 July 2017

An excellent week. Fishing very slow due to weather (35 degrees in the shade every day) but still had a wonderful peaceful family holiday. Big thanks to the owners for all their help and care. Hope to be back soon.

Fishing and tactics: The carp just weren't taking baits in the heat. Caught a 28lb 7oz carp and a 38lb 4oz mirror stalking on the right bank.
Lovely Week Once Again
By Bob Carey and Ray Green on 2 July 2017

Once again we have had a lovely week. Ray and Bob are satisfied with their catches and Mum and I are happy with our restful week. Martin and Shirley - you are very helpful and kind and we always look forward to seeing you both. Thanks X

Fishing tactics: Coconut and manila boilies popped up over beds of boilies, mixed particle and hemp. Ray fished the bowl and back of the island. Bob fished left and right between the island and the home swim. Resulting in 10 fish each.

20 carp caught: 1 x 40, 5 x 30s, 11 x 20s and 3 teens (including 2 grass carp).
Daytime Temperatures top 100 Degrees Fahrenheit
By Adam Smith on 25 June 2017

We arrived very excited but unfortunately we had a heat wave 40 degrees C (104 Fahrenheit in the shade) from day one. The carp were not interested in feeding at all, but we have enjoyed our stay. Sun and beer - what else do you need to relax? (apart from carp LOL). Martin and Shirley are a great couple, always on hand to help and I enjoy their company very much. Lovely location and lake - I will be back!

Fishing conditions and catches: Adam and his party suffered unbearably hot conditions all week. After catching grass carp and pike, the guys retreated to the relative cool of the stock pond, where they caught carp, tench and rudd.

Unlike the big carp, the summer wildlife came out in abundance and the guys snapped some stunning photos during the week. The heat wave ended suddenly with a drop of 15 degrees C on the final night of Adam's stay. Too late for Adam but at least he has the biggest carp caught so far from the Oakview stock pond.