WHAT A WEEK FOR BIG RUDD!
Massive 4lb fish heads up string of brilliant catches from lakes and drains
AFAMILY of fishing fans became the envy of the specimen world when they banked a catch of big rudd in the most prolific week of the season for the species so far.
Scunthorpe’s Richard Brocklesby took his seven-year-old son Callum and six-year-old daughter Lucie for a carp fishing session at Daiwa Manton Fishery.
While waiting for the alarms to go off, they rigged up with waggler and maggot to try for a few of the elusive big rudd in the water.
Soon Richard had banked fish of 2lb 4oz and 4lb in quick succession. Callum was next up with a 3lb 6oz lump, before Lucie completed the hat trick with a 3lb 2oz fish.
“I knew the fishery had some huge rudd in it but I never expected us all to smash our personal bests,” said Richard.
“I’ve fished for the rudd before and I never feed a thing, as I find it disperses the shoals. Just a few maggots on the hook helps to single out the bigger rudd.
“We’ll definitely be having another go for them, as I have a feeling the complex is home to a British record,” he added.
Elsewhere, it was the drains and rivers of Fenland that grabbed the rudd fishing headlines. Stephen Prentice cashed in on the purple patch, smashing his personal best four times in a session, topped by a 3lb 11oz fish.
Floating bread accounted for rudd of 2lb 1oz, 2lb 4oz, 2lb 5oz, two at 2lb 8oz and 2lb 13oz before the biggest of the lot capped off an incredible session for the Cambridgeshire angler.
“I fed a few pieces of floating bread and cast towards any topping fish. The big rudd just kept coming and gave me a catch that I’m still staggered by,” explained Stephen.
Keen specimen angler Dave Owen has toured the country in search of big fish, but hit the jackpot close to home with a 2lb 14oz personal-best river rudd.
High and coloured conditions gave the Leicestershire rod little reason for optimism but his mood changed when the fish – which more than doubles his previous best – fell to his trotted breadflake.
Andrew Field also turned to bread on a Fen drain but allowed it to sink in the hope that a big fish would take on the drop. The tactic worked a treat when a 2lb 10oz fish graced his net.
Last but certainly not least, Adam Randall beat his personal best with a 2lb 10oz Fenland rudd. Having finished his spring tench campaign, he switched his attentions to the golden-flanked species, and on only his third attempt of the season he tasted success.