Dave Lane catches his eighth UK fifty

Dave Lane cemented his reputation as one of the best carp anglers of all time with the capture of his eighth British 50-pounder.

The Suffolk-based angler caught the stunning 52lb 12oz fish, known as Colin, from the Shallow Lagoon on the St Ives complex in Cambridgeshire at the end of a productive spell brought on by a change of tactics.

After managing just four fish in as many months, Dave’s last four weeks on the syndicate venue has produced 16 carp. 

The TFG and Mainline-backed angler said: “This season has been particularly tricky as the carp have been totally preoccupied with the vast array of natural food. After four months of hard angling, I only had four fish to show for it.

“However, a change in tactics, involving huge amounts of particles, seeds and chopped Mainline Hybrid boilies, soon started to turn things in my favour.

“I eventually identified two spots where the carp were willing to feed and kept these topped up with bait as often as possible.

“Once the bites started to come I decided to keep my results a secret, hoping to capitalise on the situation before anyone else noticed and the area became busier as a result.

“In all, I managed a four-week run, fishing two or three nights a week, and I caught carp every morning at some point between 4am and 11am.

“My final bite came at 5.45am on a Wednesday morning when, after a heavy battle in the thick weed, I slipped the net under my obsession at 52lb 12oz.”

Writing on Facebook after the capture, Dave added: “I can’t possibly reply individually to the hundreds of well-wishers who have commented this morning but thank you all.

“It is quite humbling to see how many people actually take an interest in my little obsessions.”