Huge common out at 57lb 4oz

Britain's biggest living common carp has been banked at 57lb 4oz.

The fish, known as Lee Jackson, came from Kent’s Strawberry Fields and fell to the rods of Dave Farmer.

He said: “I managed to bag the fish on a quick overnight session before work after the conditions seemed right for a bite.

 “The fish took my pop -up hookbait at around midnight and gave me a really hard time for about 30 minutes before being netted, luckily, first time.

“The fish looked colossal in the net and was in stunning condition. When the scales rocked around to over 57lb I was over the moon!”

Dave added: “The fish was stocked at only 5lb in the 1993/94 season. The funny thing is the owner, Len, did not believe this fish would grow but by 2003 it had already reached 30lb. It has continued to mature into a true monster and could have the potential to beat the British record set for a common carp.”

The Tunbridge Wells angler fed broken and chopped boilies into a marginal spot but did not cast out until after dark. The common was tamed on a size eight hook attached to a 3oz lead and was winched in using a Daiwa SS3000 reel and a Free Spirit rod.