4lb 8oz STILLWATER PERCH

A plump near-1lb roach livebait accounted for this stunning pair of perch for Luke Maher, the bigger of which tipped the scales at 4lb 8oz.

The angler from Kent decided to make a change from his usual carp fishing exploits and targeted the stripeys on his syndicate at Darenth Lake, near Dartford. Within half-an-hour of casting out two rods with bobber floats and small wire traces with size 8 treble hooks, Luke struck gold with a 2lb 8oz fish before his new pb took off on his other rod just minutes later.

TOP TIP: “Don’t strike too early when livebaiting. Let the float disappear for a few seconds to allow a fish take the bait fully.”