LET’S BE AVENUE...

Five-year quest ends with a mighty 53lb 4oz common

NE of the biggest common carp in the country has been landed at a weight of 53lb 4oz. the previous few days and the lake was fishing slow anyway, with just two fish out over the previous four weeks.

“I fed about half-a-kilo of Retro Baits Essential 5 boilies, and fished a pop-up over the top to keep my hookbait above the debris and fallen leaves on the bottom.”

With no action to speak of in the first half of his session, Billy’s spirits were boosted by two shows over his baited area just before darkness fell on the second night of the trip. Then the following morning, just a few hours before he was due to leave, he received a tentative take.

“The alarm beeped twice and I could see that the line was tight and the bobbin had lifted up to the rod. I wound down into it and sure enough, a fish was hooked.

“I knew it was a decent one too from the slow plodding, but never imagined it was the fish I had been after for the past five or six seasons!” said Billy.

“As the fish got closer I could see it was a big common but I was still none the wiser that it was the one I was after until it rolled over the net cord. I was over the moon, and it was a new UK personal best to boot! It just goes to show that persistence pays off in the end.

“I’d gone through three-quarters of the lake’s stock trying to get to my prize, which was just as awesome as I had imagined!”