Sitch record broken by surprise mirror

RH Fisheries’ The Sitch produced a surprise 40-pounder in the shape of this 44lb 6oz mirror for Rob Hird.

The 26-acre estate lake is known for its head of 20s and low 30s, but threw up its first 40 during the recent heatwave.

Scaffolder Rob took the fish at 4pm on the third day of his three-night session, having introduced a total of about 4.5kg of boilies to an island spot at about 90 yards.

The 44-year-old from Newcastle-under-Lyme told Angling Times: “I was in a peg with fish all over me and was getting liners, but couldn’t get a hook up until the Friday afternoon.
“The bite was more like a liner and I initially thought I was hooked on a snag, but halfway in it turned and I knew it was a big fish. When I got it to the edge of the reeds it went ballistic.”

Rob, who presented Quality Baits’ HG42 boilies on a snowman setup featuring a Korda Kaptor Kurv Shank hook tied to a Nash Missing Link hooklink, has been a syndicate member since the water opened and had previously held the venue best with a 33lb common.

He added: “The Sitch hasn’t done a 40 before so when I got it out I thought it was 30lb to 35lb. It was a big surprise when the scales went well past that.”