Two incredible crucians landed

Undeterred by a punctured car tyre and delays on the M25 motorway, Andy Lewis finally reached his fishing destination to bank four specimen crucians – topped by a near-4lb beauty.

The 41-year-old teacher from Warwickshire couldn’t have had a worse start to his trip when disaster struck on the commute to a southern stillwater, but his perseverance was soon to turn to gold with the capture of two personal-best crucians.

Speaking exclusively to Angling Times, an elated Andy described his rollercoaster session on the lake.

He said: “I have targeted crucians for years but never really had a true ‘specimen,’ with my pb standing at just 2lb 10oz.

“I had arranged with some friends to meet at the fishery for 7.30am, but after the hassle of the drive and the puncture it was probably 10am before I made my first cast with the Spomb.”

In an attempt to catch the crucians at range, Andy introduced eight Spombs of mixed Dynamite Baits Amino Black and Betaine Green groundbaits with CSL liquid.

Over this he fished two 35g Drennan Method feeders – one with a fake sweetcorn hookbait and the other with fake casters. Four hours in, the bobbin hit the alarm and Andy slipped the net under a new personal best at 3lb 9oz. A few hours later he had two very quick bites and was elated to land crucians of 3lb 2oz and another pb- equalling fish of
3lb 9oz.

“As darkness approached the alarm sang again and I was convinced I’d hooked a tench, but as it came closer I could see it was another good crucian. When the scales went round to 3lb 15oz I was over the moon.

“At just 11oz short of the British record it would be interesting to catch this fish in a few weeks’ time, but for now I’m just so pleased with four crucians over 3lb. What a day’s sport!”