Floating crust lures big Fen rudd

There aren’t many more impressive sights in angling than a big rudd, and this 2lb 7oz personal best was netted by James Howes during a visit to a water in the Cambridgeshire Fens.

The 28-year-old from Diss in Norfolk, landed the fish during a short two-hour evening session after work.

A traditional offering of floating bread crust produced the only bite of his visit and the new ‘pb’ was beaten with 4lb line tied straight through to a size 8 hook, fished in conjunction with a small Drennan surface controller.

“I fed small bits of floating crust on a little-and-often basis and waited until the rudd started taking the bait with confidence and then made my cast, which was definitely the key to my success,” said James.