Dr Paul Garner had a lovely surprise during a bream fishing session on St Ives Lagoon over the weekend in the shape of the largest carp in the lake, The Fat Lady at 54lb 8oz on a cut down 15mm Source shelf-life boilie.
Paul baited heavily with Dynamite Baits Marine Halibut method Mix and ground pellet flavoured with liquid mollasses, marine halibut oil and red fish attractant, and laced with 1mm and 3mm pellets, XL sweetcorn, and chopped Source boilies. Just an hour after bombarding the swim with around 80 balls of groundbait a big carp stuck its head out right over the feed and minutes later a steady take saw Paul bending into something very heavy that immediately came straight to the surface.
A slow dogged fight on just an 8lb Nash Fluorocarbon hook length, and size 12 Korda Mixa hook lasted just long enough for Gary Knowles to wade out to the edge of the marginal shelf and somehow get the huge fish into Paul’s bream net! Because of the heavy algal bloom on the lake it was only then that the fish was identified.
Paul used a 2.5oz square swivel lead on a Nash lead clip and 60 inches of leadcore to 10lb Sufix Synergy line on a Shimano Baitrunner ST60 reel and Wychwood 2lb test curve barbel rod.
Well up in weight after spawning and looking in excellent condition, the fish was a new PB for Paul by quite some margin!
For all Paul’s latest news and articles visit his website at: www.drpaulgarner.co.uk.
