CARP RECORD HEARTBREAK
Weighing could be inaccurate
THE carp known as Captain Jack has NOT beaten the British record carp weight, we can reveal.
The Holme Fen fish was weighed on the bank at 68lb 8oz – 7oz above the current record – but a subsequent calibration of the scales reveals they were weighing heavy by 8oz.
However, captor Nigel Ludbrook is seeking a second opinion from manufacturer Reuben Heaton before giving up his claim for a new record.
His scales indicated the fish had beaten the 68lb 1oz record held by Dean Fletcher with The Parrot from Wasing.
Nigel decided to claim the fish – stocked at a weight of around 39lb in 2011 – but a test by Norfolk Calibration Services found his scales to be weighing 8oz heavy.
Nigel told carpfeed.com: “I just think it’s worth getting a second opinion, just to see what it says. If they were indeed out then so be it.
“I think, being that close to the record, I would kick myself if I didn’t get a second opinion on them.”
The current official record was also weighed on Reuben Heaton scales, which were found to be spot on when tested by Cambs Trading Standards.
British Record Fish Committee chairman Mike Heylin said there is nothing stopping Nigel from seeking a second opinion and submitting a test certificate from another source.
He said: “If Reuben say they want to test the scales we will be happy to accept the results. They have always been up front and honest with us. If they say the scales are 2oz light, then they are 2oz light.”
Mike added that official scales tests are now done in metric, so a calculation error with the conversion to Imperial could have occurred.
He added: “Nigel is a proper fisherman. He’s had a fish of a lifetime, and it’ll always be that.”
Reuben Heaton confirmed to Carpfeed it was expecting the scales on November 20 and would issue a certificate of conformity.
The company said its scales leave the factory with a tolerance of plus or minus one division, which in this case would be 4oz.