Eighth fifty is a lake record
Les Watts chalked up an incredible eighth 50-pounder from the UK with this 53lb 8oz common.
The Lancashire angler caught the fish, known as Tarka, from The Avenue in Shropshire to set a new current lake record. It came just 30 minutes after moving swims, following two blank days at the RH Fisheries venue.
Remarkably, it only ranks as the fourth biggest carp for the 57-year-old, who has caught The Lady from Ringstead at 59lb and Bill from Acton Burnell at 55lb.
He said: “The lake was pretty busy and I went down the far end, where I spent two days without a thing. On a hunch, because nothing was happening in front of me, I moved on the third day and had the bite within 30 minutes. I knew I had to try somewhere different and the move certainly paid off!”
Les, who fished a homemade pop-up as a single hookbait, said: “It was a slow, casual take but I was immediately met with solid resistance. It was a typical big-fish fight – it took its time wasn’t a fish that was going rush anywhere.
“I saw it roll just under the surface and could see it was one of the big commons, but there are two in there and I didn’t know which one it was. Fortunately there were no great worries during the rest of the fight and I managed to net it at the second attempt.”
Les, who has fished at The Avenue for three seasons, fished a 6ins Krsyton Super Nova hooklink tied to a size 7 ESP Raptor hook.
