DAI-LIGHTED TO GET DRENNAN CUP BACK
...and Gribble celebrates trophy win with 42lb 9oz pb common
THERE were smiles all aound at Drennan International’s UK headquarters last week as Dai Gribble collected the prestigious Drennan Cup for the second time in three years.
The Korum-backed specimen ace fished his way to victory in the 2017/18 season thanks to five Drennan Weekly Awards for tench of 10lb 5oz and 11lb 6oz, a 15lb 13oz bream, a 32lb 4oz pike and a huge 3lb 3oz roach.
Speaking exclusively to Angling Times, Dai explained his joy at netting the greatest trophy in specimen fishing once again.
He said: “It was fantastic to see and collect the cup, not only because of the accolade – it was just great chatting to Peter again.
“I was especially excited and elated on the day I received the phone call to say I’d won the competition again, but collecting the cup last week made it much more real.
“The trophy is now sitting back in the same place it was two years ago – on the window ledge in my living room – but only after a quick snap with it on the bank!”
And bringing the trophy to the bank gave Dai some luck, as it was during that very fishing session that he managed to net this immaculate 42lb 9oz common carp on gear intended for tench.
Targeting a southern gravel pit, Dai cast a helicopter rig, which incorporated a Korum combi feeder loaded with chopped worm and two rubber maggots on the hook, to a clear spot in the weed 35 yards from the bank.
Over this he Spombed out a bed of hemp and mixed 2mm pellets to help draw in the fish.
Dai added: “In the session I bagged five tench over 9lb, with the best going 9lb 12oz, but this carp was very much the icing on the cake.
“At 42lb 9oz it smashes my previous personal best of 34lb 5oz – I think it’s fair to say I’ve had worse weeks!”
Now turn to page 30 to read the next instalment of Dai Gribble’s Specimen Secrets.