The late show! Massive crucians
Two for 8lb 2oz top a great week for traditional summer species
AFLURRY of specimen crucian catches topped by an 8lb 2oz brace proves that there’s still time to target a new personal best.
The largest haul fell to Norfolk rod James Howes, who made a 300 mile-round trip to bag fish of 4lb 2oz and 4lb during a day session on a southern stillwater.
He said: “I’d just caught a pb of 4lb 2oz, and while I was sorting the camera out the other rod was away with the four-pounder.
“The bigger crucian beat my previous best by 10oz, a fish caught from the same lake back in July.”
James fished Method feeders with fake caster hook-baits over a bed of groundbait, dead maggots and micro pellets.
Groundbait also proved to be key to Paul Williamson’s session when he banked a 4lb beauty (below left) after a short pre-baiting campaign.
Targeting Devon’s Milton Abbas syndicate lake, the 57-yearold fishmonger could see the crucians cruising just below the surface, but had to change his approach to catch them.
“Milton is crystal-clear, and presenting a rig without spooking the crucians is difficult,” he said.
“I tried floatfishing but the roach became a nuisance so I prebaited with groundbait to try to get them feeding on the bottom instead.
“This paid off as I caught the four-pounder and a 3lb 15oz fish just 10 minutes later, both coming to feeder tactics.
“A ‘four’ has always been my dream but I never thought I’d catch two around that mark.
“I’m positive this lake will do a new British record in the near future.”
Both Paul’s fish fell to 8mm boilies in conjunction with a cage feeder loaded with groundbait.
His presented his rig over a bed of groundbait, micro pellets and hemp.