Mid-Kent giant Swirly follows after big storm

A stormy night spent holding on to his brolly was made worth it for Liam Fagg as he banked this beautiful common the following morning.

The 44lb 10oz lump, known as the Swirly Common, came during Storm Katie at Mid Kent Fisheries’ Pan Lake.

Liam bagged a 28lb 1oz common on Good Friday of the Bank Holiday weekend within an hour of setting up, then packed up and returned to the lake on Easter Sunday.

He said: “My arrival coincided with Storm Katie, a big low-pressure system loaded with severe storm-force winds and rains.

“At 11pm I got a take that resulted in a 24lb 2oz common, so I wound in my middle rod and repositioned the two rods on the bite area, which was a nice silt channel.

“I then spent the rest of the night wide awake holding on to the brolly as the storm gathered and gave its all. At 10.30am the middle rod screamed off and a heavy plodding fight followed.

“When I at last got to see the fish I knew I was attatched to a common of serious proportions.

“As those proportions made their way over the spreader block it became apparent that I’d caught Swirly.

“After a rest for me and the fish, weighing and photos were done and she went 44lb 10oz!”

Liam used Key Bait Solutions boilies.