EVENING STARRY’S SHINES AT 48lb 10oz

Targeting the big one well out is a wise move

IGNORING signs of fish close in and launching a bait into open water is a brave decision – but it proved a winner for Dave Magalhaes. Fishing at Kingsmead One on the famous Horton complex, the Nash-backed angler had a gut feeling that led to the capture of the sought-after Starry’s at 48lb 10oz.

“It sounds bizarre, I know, but even though there were plenty of fish showing around me I just felt that the big one would be sitting further out in the lake,” he said.

Dave had initially put a rig in the margins but after an aborted take led to a burred-over hook he rethought his plans.

“I’ve fished the lake a few times over the years, so I had an idea of what was out in front of me,” he said. “I just took aim and let the rig fly.

“It landed down with a hard ‘donk’, so I knew it was fishing and left it where it was. A few hours later it was away.

“At first it felt as though the line was caught on something and there was a horrible grating sensation coming up the line.

“A few minutes later it came free and I was in direct contact with the fish, and able to lead it back towards me without too much fuss. It wasn’t until it was in front of me that it started to get a bit more lively, going back and forth across the front of the swim.”

After bundling the fish into the net in the evening darkness, Dave

quickly realised which one it was.

“When I flicked my head torch on and saw just how wide it was I had a feeling that it was the big girl. When I rolled it over and checked its eye – it has a white mark underneath its left eye – my thoughts were confirmed – it was Starry’s, the lake’s biggest resident.

“It was well spawned out at 48lb 10oz but it really didn’t matter. I was just delighted to have finally caught her!” said Dave.