French carp Fudgy's is out at a record 86lb
Gigantica made Michael Standing wait, but eventually rewarded him with a new lake record at a mammoth 86lb 8oz.
The challenging French water, owned by Korda’s Danny Fairbrass, was in a temperamental mood before throwing up the collosal mirror, known as Fudgy’s, late in the week.
“After six nights without a fish I was woken by an epic one-toner on the middle rod,” said Michael, who had tried a variety of tactics and moved swims without success until that moment.
“Scrambling out of my sleeping bag, I lifted into the fish and as soon as I felt it I knew it was massive.
“At one point during the fight I thought it had weeded me up, but then realised it was simply the sheer weight of the fish holding in the deep water,” he said.
“After a heavy but short battle, she came up and rolled into the net first time but just I couldn’t believe the size the carp. I knew it was one of the big fish, but I didn’t know it was to be the ‘Queen of the Lake’.
“I gave the bailiff a call to come round and help with the weighing and photos, and when we opened the retention sling, he said: ‘That’s Fudgy’s!’
“On the scales she went 86lb 8oz, a top weight for her and a new lake record as well. We did the photos in the freezing morning light and slipped her back into the depths.
“I was absolutely buzzing! What a fish and what a venue, I will be back out there in September in search of the other monsters,” he added.
Michael fished at 120yds from Co’s Point and baited chopped and glugged CC Moore Equinox boilies and corn. He fished NS1+ hookbaits topped by a piece of plastic corn on short hinged rigs.