To Coles of King's Lynn, for sardines

I've always been a big fan of Coles of King's Lynn. Tucked away on an industrial estate, on the way to Wisbechistan, it's well worth the trek for one reason. Their bags of sardines appear to have side-stepped the recession and still cost less than £2.50.

For this you get 10 glazed pilchards - as sardines are known in the part of the world where I come from, which have an almost metallic sheen to them when they thaw. I think they're just that bit fresher and oilier than the ones you get from bait companies - probably because they're good enough to eat.

Take them out still frozen and they're a great bait. Hardly anyone else seems to share my fondness for them, so maybe that adds to their appeal to the pike. You can also get a few casts out of one if you're careful, and make sure the top hook goes into their backbone before you sling 'em out.

There are other reasons Coles has a bit of a cult following, mainly among people who are fond of fish. They sell just about everything the sea throws up in this part of the world and beat the pants off the supermarkets when it comes to quality. Well worth a look next time you're passing - especially if you're into fish.