Full stories behind the week’s best fish, plus top venues and tips
She weighs in at 53lb 8oz from Speedboat Point
TOM Stokes has become just the 12th angler in history to catch the mighty Burghfield Common.
It weighed 53lb 8oz and was caught from the 90-acre Berkshire gravel pit of the same name. “It’s a childhood dream to catch it,” said the 29-year-old, who banked the historic fish from Speedboat Point.
Story continued from page 61 at 5.45am on a Friday morning.
“It didn’t fight like the absolute beast I expected,” added the Stourbridge angler.
“I was fishing towards snags at 110 yards locked up, so it came up to the surface on the bite. It kited really fast to the right – and the common is a known kiter – but it was kiting towards me, so it came from 110 yards to 40 yards.
“It rolled on the surface and I saw common scales and I knew it was a big fish, but because it wasn’t beating me up I didn’t think it was her.
“It went to the left, rolled again, and I saw this big hump, but I still wasn’t convinced.
“It then weeded me up 15 yards out so I got in the waders and up it popped with weed over its eyes.
“I could just see a massive set of lips but by that point it was in the net and all over. I’m quite pleased it was, because it didn’t give me time to be nervous.”
Tom secured the fish but then began to question whether he had actually caught the coveted Burghfield Common.
“I started to doubt myself. I told my mates Chris and Byron that I thought I’d caught it, but it was a weird experience – I think I needed someone to confirm it for me!”
The delivery driver, who estimates he has done between 450 and 500 nights on the water over five seasons, added: “It’s how I dreamt I’d catch it, but I didn’t expect it.
“You can put so much time and effort into that place, but the reality is you might not ever catch it, and those doubts do set in.
“I’m glad I stuck at it – it proves I could catch it by doing what I was doing.”
The common was Tom’s 116th and final carp from the venue.
“I love that lake. It’s an incredible place and in a way it’s a bit sad to be leaving, because that’s probably the best fishing I’ll ever have in this country.”
He added with a smile: “I could go fishing this weekend, but I think I’ll have a few weeks off!”
Tom fed Oxford Carp Baits MC Nut boilies and particles and presented a fake tiger nut on a stiff D rig made with Thinking Anglers components.
● For more from Tom on this special capture visit www.carpfeed.com
“The fish rolled on the surface but as it wasn’t beating me up I didn’t think it was her”