Half a 10mm boilie fools big roach trio

Brian Cox banked his third 2lb-plus roach in succession with the capture of this 2lb 7oz specimen from Stenhill Fishery in Devon.

Following recent redfins of 2lb 2oz and a personal best 2lb 10oz from the same venue, Brian returned for another trip and hit the jackpot again when he offered half a 10mm boilie.

The Collumpton-based rod wrapped Marukyu 131 and 161 groundbait around a 1oz swivel lead, and presented the bait on a hair rig with a size 12 hook, 4lb hooklength and 6lb mainline.

“Roach like this are as rare as a 40lb carp in the South West and it has taken me 28 years to catch a 2lb’er, then three come along at once! These fish are very difficult to tempt but I put my faith in half boilies to pick out the bigger fish in the shoals,” he said.