139lb HAUL IN AN HOUR
The Wright way to floor the Boxer and get a new ‘best’
ACARP of 50lb 8oz, a 49-pounder and a ‘39’ all showed up in just over an hour for Spencer Wright in an incredible Isle of Wight session.
Amazingly, the two biggest fish had not been caught for a combined five years.
The near-140lb trio from Monks Pool was a welcome return to the sport for Spencer, who had taken a break from the bank.
He said: “I had, to be honest, lost the buzz for carp angling since last summer after pursuing them for the best part of 30 years.
“It was only recently that I noticed that Monks wasn’t being overly pressured and could see an opportunity, so I began baiting a few spots little and often.”
That opportunity saw the islander bank Boxer at 50lb 8oz, the Linear at 49lb 9oz and Lee’s Leather at 39lb 7oz in a mad spell during a 24-hour trip.
The first to arrive was the elusive Linear, which had not been caught for two years and had been tipped to be a new IoW record.
“On weighing, it wasn’t quite the weight we expected, but I was still overjoyed with the 49lb 9oz weight and a new pb,” said Spencer.
“Within five minutes my middle rod, which was fished washing-line style off the far bank, smashed over and once again I was in!
“The fight was similar, with a decent fish using its weight and going wherever it wanted, with me holding on for dear life.”
After 25 minutes, the fish
eventually succumbed. “It was Boxer,” said Spencer, “a carp that had gone uncaught for three years.
“Before we had a chance to do anything, my last rod ripped off and again a fish charged off, making huge 40-yard runs that were unstoppable.
“Another 20-minute fight ensued which resulted in another big fish, Lee’s Leather, resting in the other net alongside Boxer.
“Three huge fish in a little over an hour had completely blown me away and I was struggling to take the events in!”
Spencer still had time to suffer a hook-pull later that evening, but was left to reflect on a stunning session. “Even now, after packing up, it still hasn’t sunk in,” he said.
“To take two fish that haven’t been banked for two and three years respectively, and a 39 for good measure, has been the catch of a lifetime.”