Forty-seven big crucians to one angler!
Marsh Farm comes good with 47-fish haul to a best of 3lb 14oz
AN ANGLER on a 48-hour trip has taken one of the UK’s largest-ever hauls of crucians – 47 fish topped by a 3lb 14oz beauty (above).
The monumental feat was accomplished by Gardner Tacklebacked Mike Lyddon, who spent two days targeting Marsh Farm Fishery’s prolific Johnsons Lake in hope of catching a few of its specimen crucians.
Despite falling short of beating his 4lb 4oz best, Mike had no idea that his session was going to be one of the best he has ever experienced with this species.
Speaking to Angling Times, an elated Mike said: “The catch was exceptional, but surprisingly it was well short of my best haul from Marsh Farm when I had 63 three-pounders in a weekend – but it was still good fun!
“On this occasion I decided to stay for 48 hours and fish at about 30 yards with 25g flatbed Method feeders.
“To these I attached 4ins braided hooklinks to size 16 Target Specimen hooks, each with two fake casters mounted on the hair.
“As for features, to tell the truth there weren’t a lot to fish to, really.
“I had a brief chuck about with a lead to see if I could find any weed or variations in the lakebed but there was virtually nothing to suggest one spot would be any better than another.
“I knew that the fish would be in that general area this time of year, so just opted to fish a spot at 30 yards, mainly because it was within convenient casting range.
“I then decided to make my bait a feature in its own right to draw the crucians into my swim.”
Before casting out his rigs Mike used a Spomb to introduce 3kg of groundbait made up of mainly Sonubaits Green F1, Hemp and Halibut and Krill.
To ensure the crucians came back to his spot time and time again, Mike regularly cast the Spomb over the target zone to top up the swim. “Most of the fish came in daylight, in fact both nights I wound in about midnight to get a decent night’s sleep,” Mike added.
“When the action came it was thick and fast – the final haul was 47 crucians to 3lb 14oz, with 13 over 3lb and the majority of the others being high two-pounders.
“I also caught around 25 tench, four small commons and a handful of roach and rudd – with the best two of those going 1lb 11oz apiece.
“As far as crucians are concerned I’ve now caught 339 fish weighing over 3lb and nine four-pounders – this is an achievement I’m very proud of.”