Dan Taylor’s 60lb carp is a record for Kent lake

Dan Taylor’s incredible run of fish has reached another peak with Britain’s newest 60-pounder.

The 60lb 8oz mirror is the 27-year-old’s sixth UK fish over 50lb and came from the Carp Lake at Kent’s Wingham syndicate.

The lake-record fish, known as Black Spot, is Wingham’s first sixty and had previously been caught at 50lb and 54lb having been born in the incredibly rich lake.

Last season, tree surgeon Dan had three 50-pounders from the syndicate, including a 59lb 8oz common, plus another fifty from the Essex Manor. His new personal best came on his first trip back to Wingham since August and was part of an incredible triple take.

The Ashford angler had netted a low-twenty common just after dawn on day one of a three-night session when his second rod produced a 29lb 14oz common. As he was weighing that second fish, his third rod ripped off.

“The third fish put up a tremendous scrap and my heart was in my mouth when I saw the black spot on her flank that meant I’d hooked the lake’s biggest mirror,” said Dan.

“When I eventually landed her I was shaking. 

“I was shaking even more when the head bailiff weighed her at 60lb 8oz! I was still shaking as I struggled to lift her for the photos.”

Wingham boss Steve Burke said: “When Dan first came to do some tree surgery for us I didn’t expect he’d join the staff, let alone catch four fifties from the Carp Lake in less than 12 months.

“Neither did I expect a sixty so soon, as we’re still five or six weeks away from spawning.

“This fish was born at Wingham and is still growing fast, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what weight she’ll eventually reach.”