Hatchet Pond is the New Forest's largest body of fresh water and home to rare wetland plants and wildlife lost from many other parts of the UK.  It’s a 12 acre lake set historically known for its huge Bream (well into double figures), but more recently large and feisty carp and tench.  It seems the favoured spots are in the upper part of the lake where it’s slightly shallower.  

Most of the anglers are after the large carp that are here in numbers but are notoriously difficult to catch.  One of the preferred baits are 20mm boilies of fishmeal and based on Shoreline’s Black Spice.  If you are after bream they can be caught on float gear and bottom fishing rigs with baits.

The best bait is ragworm tipped with squid, and the best lures are those which have small enough hooks to fit in their mouths, with the strength to hold up in the serious fight these fish give.