Gipping Angling Preservation Society

Birds Tackle is proud to support Gipping Angling Preservation Society, commonly known as GAPS—one of East Anglia’s friendliest and most progressive fishing clubs.

GAPS helps make angling available to people of different ages, abilities and fishing interests. The society manages an impressive selection of lakes and stretches of the River Gipping around Ipswich and Suffolk.

GAPS Members Receive 10% Off at Birds Tackle

Gipping Angling Preservation Society members can receive 10% off eligible non-sale purchases in-store at Birds Tackle.

To receive your discount:

  • Visit Birds Tackle in Great Blakenham.

  • Have a Birds Tackle customer account.

  • Show your valid GAPS membership through the membership app or membership QR code.

  • Ask a member of our team to apply the discount before payment.

The discount excludes sale items and cannot be applied retrospectively.

Fishing with Gipping Angling Preservation Society

GAPS manages a varied collection of stillwaters and River Gipping stretches. Its waters provide opportunities for coarse, carp, specialist, predator, pleasure and match anglers.

The society’s waters include venues such as:

  • Alderson Lakes

  • Causeway Lakes

  • Elton Water Bank

  • Several additional stillwater venues

  • Six stretches of the River Gipping

Fish species found across GAPS waters include carp, bream, tench, crucians, roach, rudd, perch, chub and pike.

Visit the GAPS waters page for current venue details, access information and fishing guidance.

GAPS Membership

GAPS offers several membership categories, including:

  • Adult membership

  • Senior membership

  • Disabled membership

  • Family membership

  • Intermediate membership

  • Junior membership

  • Rivers-only tickets

  • Rivers night tickets

Membership demand can be very high and some categories may sell out quickly. Check the official GAPS membership page for current availability, application requirements and renewal information.

All anglers must hold the appropriate Environment Agency rod licence when fishing club waters.

Get the Right Tackle for GAPS Waters

Birds Tackle stocks an extensive range of equipment for fishing lakes and rivers, including:

  • Rods, reels, poles and seatboxes

  • Floats, feeders, hooks and terminal tackle

  • Landing nets and unhooking mats

  • Carp and coarse fishing luggage

  • Predator fishing equipment

  • Groundbait, pellets, boilies and other fishing bait

  • Fish-care equipment and accessories

Our experienced team can help you choose suitable tackle and bait for your planned GAPS session.

Support Your Local Fishing Club

Joining a local angling club helps protect fishing waters, improve facilities, support fish welfare and keep angling available for future generations.

GAPS also runs matches, shares club news and provides information about its venues through its website.

Useful links:

Visit Birds Tackle

Birds Tackle is a large, two-floor fishing tackle shop in Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, with convenient parking for more than 30 cars.

Our team is available to help GAPS members and visiting anglers prepare for their next fishing trip.

Birds Tackle
Great Blakenham, Ipswich, Suffolk
Telephone: 01473 830683
Open Monday to Saturday, 8:30am–6:00pm

Shop online at Birds Tackle