SANDMARTIN GIVES UP 42lb 2oz COMMON AND EIGHT TWENTIES
SANDMARTIN is arguably the most overlooked water on the Bluebell Lakes complex, but Simon Barker showed its potential with a nine-carp hit topped by a 42lb 2oz common.
The fish, the biggest common in the lake, was caught at the end of a week-long session that also produced eight carp of 20lb-plus.
Simon told Carpfeed: “I arrived on a Saturday evening and the lake was unusually quiet. A south-westerly wind was pushing into the Road Bank and I saw a few fish showing.”
Having carefully found a spot 50 yards out between two weedbeds, the Lancashire angler baited lightly with boilie crumb and sweetcorn before putting all three rods on the spot.
“The bites all came in the early morning,” said the 48-year-old joiner. “Throughout the week I landed two tench and eight carp between 20lb 8oz and 28lb.”
The lake’s biggest common arrived on Simon’s final day.
“On Sunday morning the alarm screamed off – literally a one-toner – and the fish headed for the shelf and deeper water.
“After playing it back up the shelf it came in through the marginal weed quite slowly. Even when netting it I wasn’t sure it was the big common until I tried to lift it – and then I was sure!
“At 42lb 2oz it was a new personal best.”
Simon used D-rigs topped with yellow AS Baits TNT wafters.