Lady angler banks UK's biggest common at 63lb 4oz

A return to fishing after a lay off with ill health brought Leanne Jaynes the biggest common carp in the country.

The 63lb 4oz specimen, known as Lee Jackson, fell to the experienced carper at Kent’s Strawbery Fields.

“I am completely overwhelmed at what I have caught,” said Leanne, “I have caught so many fine carp and other species from around the country but this tops the list by far and is something I will always remember fondly.”

Recalling the bite at the day-ticket venue, she added: “On Saturday night at 11pm I had a couple of bleeps and then a belting run on my right-hand rod. After what seemed to be forever, but in real time was only 25 minutes, I managed to get the fish in my net. When I looked inside to see my prize I was a shocked at the size and girth of the magnificent animal that lay in my net.”

Leanne first banked the Lee Jackson fish 17 years ago and has since caught it at weights of 20lb, 30lb and 42lb.

She said: “I first caught it way back in 1997 when I first started fishing here at Strawberry Fields. In those days we had great times catching and watching the fish grow so quickly. It’s almost unbelievable how this little lake has grown on so many huge fish!”

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