51lb Linear carp thanks to wife’s generosity

When Steve Palmer netted this Linear Fisheries 51lb carp he knew it was due in large part to the generosity of his wife, who renewed his season ticket at the 11th hour.

The Gaunts Lake specimen, known as the Uncle Albert Fish, generally only gets caught twice a year, in April and October. “During my time on there I’ve managed to be on the lake three times out of the four captures in the last two years,” said Steve. “Little did I know that this October I would be on the other side of the camera at long last.”

The capture very nearly didn’t happen, as Steve’s ticket ran out on September 30 and he was due to move on to another water. However, his wife, who knew how much he wanted to catch this particular fish, offered to pay the renewal fee and the pair were back at the lake the following weekend.

Settling in a swim called the Beach, Steve had a quiet first night before getting a bite the next morning.

“After a heavy, slow battle my prize was resting over the spreader block and sank to the bottom of the net. I looked at my wife, who was snapping away with her camera, and said ‘got him!’

“A quick shout to my mate and we soon realised it was not just a dream. I was totally blown away!” he said.

Steve fished Nash TG Active and Coconut Crème boilies as a snowman set-up.