This Review was submitted by Liam Turner
Gigantica
Domaine Saint Christophe
Saint Christophe Dodinicourt
10500
France
Website
Facilities 4/5
As this my first trip to France I didn't really know what to expect but I have to say I was very pleased with the facilities at Gigantica.
There are showers, clean toilets and the food package was spot on with breakfast and dinner available big enough you didn't really need a lunch. There was also a fridge packed with beer, coke and water. There are freezers on site for bait, also boat and bike hire.
Quality of fishing/Fish stocks 4/5
The fish in here are massive and there are so many of them it won’t be long before a 100 hits the net. The fishing here is not easy and it is in no way a run's water. If you are after size and not run's then this is the place for you. They see a lot of bait and rigs so you will need to work for the fish. Take the time to find your spots bait and wait. While we were there we met a few celebs who were fishing and their approach was somewhat different to ours. Towards the end of our week one had used around 40 kg of bait (Boilies) and had a lot more fish than us. We had used around 10 kg each for the week but as they get their bait for free it makes sense to use it, so bring as much as you can because you will need it. 10 kg was nowhere near enough and this slowed our fishing down I'm sure. At the right time of year 10 kg would be enough but check the reports or ask . It’s better to have too much and take some home then need more and not have it. They do stock bait on site and it comes in 10 kg sacks, ask bailiffs for the price.
Pricing 4/5
Please see their website for pricing .
Staff 5/5
The Bailiffs here were very friendly and well in the know. Listen to them because they really know what they’re talking about, they live there and see it every day.
Disabled 4/5
Pretty flat site. Some swims have steps but most are accessible. There is road around the whole lake and a truck to move stuff about. Toilet and shower are accessible.
RULES 5/5
Respect the Venue
Overall 5/5
I really enjoyed the week I spent on this lake and I learnt a lot from the bailiffs and other anglers on the lake but for my first time in France I was a little out of my depth. The size of the fish is amazing and we had fish to 39 lb but on the last morning one of the guys on the other side of the lake had a 65 lb mirror. I could only watch in awe because it was massive, scale perfect and nowhere near as big as some of the others. I would recommend this lake but not for a first time trip, fish the road lake to get a feel then move over to the main lake on another trip. I would like to try my hand at this lake again and hope to in the near future. I feel I should of done better but wasn't prepared for the task at hand.
Gigantica
Domaine Saint Christophe
Saint Christophe Dodinicourt
10500
France
Website
Facilities 4/5
As this my first trip to France I didn't really know what to expect but I have to say I was very pleased with the facilities at Gigantica.
There are showers, clean toilets and the food package was spot on with breakfast and dinner available big enough you didn't really need a lunch. There was also a fridge packed with beer, coke and water. There are freezers on site for bait, also boat and bike hire.
Quality of fishing/Fish stocks 4/5
The fish in here are massive and there are so many of them it won’t be long before a 100 hits the net. The fishing here is not easy and it is in no way a run's water. If you are after size and not run's then this is the place for you. They see a lot of bait and rigs so you will need to work for the fish. Take the time to find your spots bait and wait. While we were there we met a few celebs who were fishing and their approach was somewhat different to ours. Towards the end of our week one had used around 40 kg of bait (Boilies) and had a lot more fish than us. We had used around 10 kg each for the week but as they get their bait for free it makes sense to use it, so bring as much as you can because you will need it. 10 kg was nowhere near enough and this slowed our fishing down I'm sure. At the right time of year 10 kg would be enough but check the reports or ask . It’s better to have too much and take some home then need more and not have it. They do stock bait on site and it comes in 10 kg sacks, ask bailiffs for the price.
Pricing 4/5
Please see their website for pricing .
Staff 5/5
The Bailiffs here were very friendly and well in the know. Listen to them because they really know what they’re talking about, they live there and see it every day.
Disabled 4/5
Pretty flat site. Some swims have steps but most are accessible. There is road around the whole lake and a truck to move stuff about. Toilet and shower are accessible.
RULES 5/5
Respect the Venue
- No fish are to be taken off site or even out of your swim under any circumstances.
- Drug and Alcohol abuse will not be tolerated, those found intoxicated will be asked to leave and will be placed on a collective fishery ‘black list’, preventing them from visiting numerous waters all over France.
- We wish to record the growth of every carp so please photograph both sides of every fish and record the capture on the catch report forms provided.
- All species of fish other than carp and pike are being removed to maximize growth rates. If you catch a bream or roach for example, place it in the keep nets provided, alert the bailiff and he will transfer it to the stock pond. Please do not transfer any fish yourself, we keep accurate records to maintain the optimum biomass of carp.
- 3 rods are allowed per angler, all 3 rods must be in the same swim. More rods does not equal more runs on this venue.
- There should be no reason to cut back any vegetation, if something is in your way call the bailiff and he will prune it for you.
- Car Parks have been created close to each set of swims to hide your cars from view thus creating the most ‘natural’ landscape possible. Please keep your cars in the car parks once your gear has been dropped off at your swim.
- Anglers must leave by 10 am on Saturday morning and new customers must not arrive before 12 noon, gates will be locked. The draw will be at 1 pm after everyone has a chance to look around.
- The draw will be hosted by the bailiff, you each pick a number, this decides your order in the draw, number 1 gets first choice, number 2 second and so on. Your name will be written on the map when you choose your swim. Friends may pick one number between them and must fish swims next door when their ‘turn’ comes up, this means they may both come out first or last, that is the chance they take.
- The gates will be locked all night and most of the day, please make shopping trips out between 2 and 4 pm only. Please bear in mind French law has a zero tolerance to alcohol in the blood; one drink will put you over the limit and could cost you your licence.
- Toilets and showers are available for use 24 hours a day, shampoo, soap, and toothpaste are complimentary. There is constant hot water and complimentary tea and coffee. Please leave these areas in a condition suitable for your own mum to use! Please aim true, flush your cares away and leave as you find, thank you!
- To stop disease Unhooking Matt's, Landing Nets, Weight Slings, Buckets, Carp Care Kits and Scales are provided, yours will be tagged and stored if you bring them with you.
- Make sure all fins are flat against body before lifting fish and always carry fish back to the water in our weigh sling. If a fish is damaged use the carp care kits on body or mouth as shown, split fins must be referred to the bailiff before releasing the fish, please retain in your net in margins until he arrives.
- No carp sacks are allowed on site, if you are found with one you may be asked to leave! Our bailiff will make pictures if your neighbor will not do it. The bailiff wants to see all fish over 50 pounds, day or night.
- Barbless hooks only, this is to reduce mouth damage and allows a snagged fish to escape, various patterns are available to buy on site. If a hook snags in your clothing it is not barbless!
- No Long Curved Shank hooks, Fox series 5, Long Shank Nailer etc, they cause too much mouth damage in the wrong hands.
- Use any lead system you like providing the fish can free itself from the lead if the line breaks. .
- Braided reel line is NOT allowed nor is shock leaders of any material, braided, Flouro or Mono. We do allow tapered Mainline but its minimum diameter must be NO LESS than 0.33.
- Leadcore is not allowed because it can easily be misused.
- If you draw the ‘tree line’ swim you must not leave your rods under any circumstances and you must fish locked up with no bait runner if you fish near the trees. If you lose too many fish you may be asked to move.
- Shelf life or preserved boilies (hookbaits excluded) are not allowed because of poor nutritional content and excessive break down times. Secure freezers are available for fresh boilies at no charge. Boilies will be tagged and released from the freezer as you wish via the bailiff.
- Mainline Baits fresh frozen boilies are available at subsidized rates. Pop ups are also available to compliment the base mixes along with high attract versions.
- All particles are allowed but they must be prepared by us on site in advance of your arrival. All particles are soaked and boiled in lake water for maximum attraction; the mix of particles is as follows, Hemp, Party/Pigeon Mix, Maize, and Tiger Nuts. Refills of particles should be ordered 24 hours before required time of use to allow for soaking and preparation. Our price is £12 or 15 euro for a full 10 liter bucket weighing approx. 10 kg.
- Pellets must be ordered from us in advance, own pellets are not allowed to ensure the most attractive and nutritional diet for the carp. You will see that prices for both particles and pellets match those of bulk prices from UK grain/pellet merchants. Profit margins are kept low to reduce your cost of using top quality loose feed. If you like our pellets and exclusive boilies you are welcome to stock up for your fishing back home.
- You must cast your rigs from the bank, no boating rigs out.
- Remote controlled boats are not allowed because they cause too many boundary disputes.
- We have numerous rowing boats on site for baiting up at modest hire rates, please do not bring your own boat, this is only to stop any risk of disease. Electric motors and echo sounders are not allowed to reduce the risk of spooking carp in neighboring swims. You must wear a life jacket which is fitted correctly before leaving the bank, along with a bailing scoop and a whistle or horn for attracting attention, all these are provided.
- If anyone appears intoxicated they will not be allowed to use their boat until they have sobered up!
- The boat is strictly for baiting up only, please do so intelligently. By this we mean if you are getting lots of action, you can use lots of bait. In contrast if you are not getting action stop baiting up!
- Permanent markers are an eyesore so they are not allowed; cast your marker from the bank.
- Boats may not be used for landing fish without a bailiff present. There are virtually no snags in the lake so you should not need to play anything from a boat.
- Boats may not be used at night under any circumstances; this is for your safety. Please agree times of usage with your neighbor to minimize disturbance and so maximize action for everyone.
- We want everyone to have a great holiday so please keep music to a very low level and be aware your voices travel in this quiet part of the countryside. Complaints will be dealt with swiftly.
Overall 5/5
I really enjoyed the week I spent on this lake and I learnt a lot from the bailiffs and other anglers on the lake but for my first time in France I was a little out of my depth. The size of the fish is amazing and we had fish to 39 lb but on the last morning one of the guys on the other side of the lake had a 65 lb mirror. I could only watch in awe because it was massive, scale perfect and nowhere near as big as some of the others. I would recommend this lake but not for a first time trip, fish the road lake to get a feel then move over to the main lake on another trip. I would like to try my hand at this lake again and hope to in the near future. I feel I should of done better but wasn't prepared for the task at hand.