Oxfordshire
Brasenose One Carp Fishing Lake,
Linear Fisheries, Oxfordshire
Brasenose One, Linear Fisheries: Our Rating
Here’s the Carp Tax rating of Brasenose One at Linear Fisheries. These scores are based on our team’s experience with the lake and facilities. Scores are subjective and are meant solely as a guide to help fellow anglers plan their visit.
Cleanliness
9/10
Facilities
9/10
Peg Spacing
9/10
Ticket Price
8/10
A Quick Look at Brasenose One, Linear Fisheries
Set within the Linear Fisheries complex near Witney in Oxfordshire, Brasenose One is one of the real headline waters on the venue. It has built a serious reputation as a day ticket lake where multiple catches are always possible if you get things right, but it still demands proper angling rather than just turning up and expecting it to happen.
The main appeal is the sheer amount of carp in front of you. Brasenose One holds a huge stock, with lots of fish now well into the 20lb bracket and plenty of bigger ones mixed in. It’s a busy, pressured Linear water, but if you find them, fish accurately, and keep them interested, it’s a lake that can properly kick off.
54lb
lake record
32
acres
40
pegs
12ft
average depth
About Brasenose One
Brasenose One is a long, open lake of around 32 acres, making it the second largest carp lake on the Linear Fisheries complex. It’s a big bit of water with plenty of room to fish, and its reed-lined banks, open-water areas, and bankside features all help shape how the lake fishes from one session to the next.
Depths run from around 5ft in the shallower areas down to 16ft in the deeper water, with an average depth of roughly 12ft. Compared with some of the more intimate Linear lakes, Brasenose One has a more open-water feel, so wind direction, fish movement, and angling pressure can all make a real difference to where the carp end up.
How to Approach Brasenose One
Brasenose One is a lake where things can happen quickly, but only if you’re on fish. With such a big head of carp in the water, it’s tempting to think it will be easy, but the lake still sees a lot of pressure and the fish can move around in big groups. If they’re not in front of you, you can sit there for a long time waiting for something that might never happen.
Location is the first job. Because Brasenose One is big, open, and exposed, wind direction can make a real difference. A warm wind pushing into an area can be well worth watching, especially if fish are showing or anglers are getting bites nearby. Don’t be afraid to hold back before setting up if you’re unsure — getting the swim right matters more than getting the rods out quickly.
Once you’re on them, accuracy becomes massive. Brasenose One is well known for producing multiple catches when fish move in, so it often pays to fish a tight area properly rather than spreading everything around and hoping. If you’re fishing on the deck, take the time to find a clean, presentable spot and keep your casting and baiting tight.
Baiting can be a real edge on Brasenose One, but only when it’s done with purpose. If you’ve found fish and they’re clearly feeding, a good bed of bait can help hold them and turn one bite into several. Hemp, corn, pellet and boilie-style mixes are all popular approaches, but the key is not just piling it in blindly. Start sensibly, read the response, and top up if the bites come.
Zigs are also well worth having in mind, especially when the fish are sitting mid-water or showing without getting their heads down. On slower days, or when pressure pushes fish off the bottom, a single zig in the right zone can be a better option than waiting over a baited spot that isn’t happening.
In terms of who it suits, Brasenose One is a great choice if you want action and the chance of a proper hit of carp, but it still rewards anglers who think about what they’re doing. Beginners can catch here, especially if they keep things simple and get on fish, but the anglers who do best are usually the ones who watch the water, fish accurately, and adapt when the lake tells them to.
Stock Levels
Brasenose One is absolutely stacked with carp. Linear estimates the lake holds at least 1,900 carp, with around 70% of them over 20lb, which tells you everything you need to know about why the lake has such a big-hit reputation.
It’s not just numbers either. There are at least 150 different carp over 30lb, with 20 or more fish now having gone over 40lb. That means you’re not fishing for one or two known bigguns — you’re fishing a lake where serious carp are spread right through the stock.
The lake records back that up nicely, with mirrors to 54lb, commons to 44lb 14oz, and ghost carp to 41lb 6oz. For a busy day ticket water, that’s a serious stock profile: loads of bites possible, plenty of twenties and thirties, and a very real chance of something properly special.
Tickets & Booking Information
Linear doesn’t run an online booking system for Brasenose One — like the main day ticket lakes on the complex, it’s done on a first come, first served basis when you arrive. That means if you’ve got your heart set on Brasenose One, it’s worth getting there early, especially at weekends, during warmer weather, or when conditions look bang on.
On arrival, you’ll check in at the on-site tackle shop, where the bailiffs can let you know what’s available and point you in the right direction. It’s a simple system, but it does mean you need to stay flexible. Brasenose One is a popular water, and because it can produce big hits of fish, the better-looking areas can get taken quickly.
Tickets are typically issued for day and night sessions, with prices, rules, and any current guidance explained when you arrive. As with all busy day ticket waters, it pays to be organised, respectful of other anglers, and ready to adapt if your first-choice swim or lake isn’t available.
Tip: If Brasenose One is full, don’t write the trip off. Brasenose Two, St Johns, Hardwick & Smiths, and Oxlease Lake all offer strong alternatives, and being willing to switch lakes can sometimes put you in a better position than forcing it on a busy water.
Fishing Rules at Brasenose One
Brasenose One follows the main Linear Fisheries rules, so it’s worth knowing the basics before you get set up. The rules are mainly there to protect the fish, keep the lakes safe, and make sure everyone on the complex gets a fair session.
The main rules to know before fishing Brasenose One:
- Parking: Use the proper car parks only. Don’t park on grass, block gates, or stop on the B4449 or entrance to Manor Farm Lake and St Johns.
- Swims: You cannot reserve swims, apart from specific exceptions. You can place a bucket in a swim when you first arrive, but you must return quickly with your tackle.
- Rods: Up to three rods are allowed, provided you have the correct Environment Agency rod licence.
- Hooks: Barbed or barbless hooks may be used.
- Fish care: Unhooking mats must be used, fish must be kept low to the ground, and carp sacks are not allowed.
- Retention: Floating retention slings may be used for up to 30 minutes while mats, scales, and cameras are prepared.
- Bait: There are no general bait bans, but seeds, nuts, peas, and beans must be properly soaked, cooked, and used in moderation.
- Maggots: Maggots and similar baits can be used as hookbaits, in PVA bags, or in feeders, but not spodded out.
- Rigs: Permanently fixed leads are not allowed, and bailiffs may check rigs.
- Spombs: Spombs must be used with a spomb float attachment.
- Wading: Not allowed for placing baits, except when helping to safely net or release fish in shallow water.
- General conduct: No boats, drones, bait boats, radios, fires, swimming, drugs, heavy drinking, or litter.
Brasenose One is a busy, high-stock Linear water, so it pays to turn up prepared and fish within the rules from the off. Rules can change, so always check the latest Linear guidance or speak to a bailiff if you’re unsure.
Pegs, Access & Facilities
Brasenose One has 40 well-spaced pegs spread around its 32-acre layout, so there’s plenty of room to fish without feeling on top of the next angler. Whether you prefer open-water fishing or targeting the lake’s gravel bars and other features, there’s a good variety of swims to choose from. Like any busy day-ticket water, some pegs are more popular than others, but the size of the lake means there’s usually plenty of water in front of you.
Getting your gear to the swim is generally straightforward. There are tracks around much of the lake, and parking is within comfortable barrowing distance of most pegs, so you won’t usually be faced with a marathon walk before you even wet a line. A decent barrow is still worth its weight in gold though, particularly if you’re staying for a couple of nights.
Facilities across the Linear complex are one of its biggest strengths. You’ll find clean toilets around the fishery, hot showers and drinking water at the main shower block, plus a well-stocked tackle and convenience shop for bait, food, drinks and those little bits of kit you’ve inevitably forgotten. The complex also includes disabled-friendly swims on Brasenose One, complete with nearby accessible toilets, making the lake one of the more accessible waters on the venue.
Overall, Brasenose One is set up to handle a lot of anglers without feeling overcrowded. Get yourself organised, take your time choosing the right swim, and once the rods are out, you can settle in and enjoy one of the UK’s best-known day-ticket carp waters.
Other Carp Lakes at Linear Fisheries
All carp lakes at Linear FisheriesIf Brasenose One is busy or you fancy a change, Linear has several other lakes that can produce just as well on their day — often with less pressure. It’s easy to get fixated on Brasenose One because of its reputation, but lakes like St Johns, Hardwick & Smiths, or Oxlease are all capable of producing proper fish and can sometimes offer a quieter, more manageable session.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brasenose One
Is Brasenose One good for beginners?
Yes. Brasenose One is well stocked and can produce plenty of action, making it a good option for beginners. It’s still a busy, pressured water though, so finding the fish and fishing accurately can make a big difference.
How big is Brasenose One?
Brasenose One covers around 32 acres, making it one of the larger day-ticket waters at Linear Fisheries. It’s a sizeable lake with plenty of open water, so location can play a big part in your session.
How deep is Brasenose One?
Depths on Brasenose One range from around 5ft to 16ft, with an average depth of roughly 12ft. The variation gives anglers plenty of options depending on where the fish are holding and the conditions on the day.
How many pegs are there on Brasenose One?
Brasenose One has 40 pegs spread around the lake. With 32 acres of water to go at, most swims offer a good amount of water, although some areas can be particularly popular when the lake is busy.
Are bait boats allowed at Linear Fisheries?
No. Bait boats are not permitted on Brasenose One or anywhere else on the main Linear Fisheries complex. All baiting and casting must be done by hand in accordance with the fishery rules.
Do you need to book Brasenose One in advance?
No. Brasenose One operates on a first come, first served basis, so there’s no need to book in advance. On arrival, purchase your ticket from the on-site tackle shop before choosing an available swim and beginning to fish.
What’s the best time of year to fish Brasenose One?
Brasenose One can produce throughout the year, but spring, summer and early autumn can be particularly productive when the carp are active and moving around the lake. Finding the fish remains important regardless of the time of year.
