Tench angler nets lake record carp!

A tench angler using 8lb line and single corn has set a new lake record at a top carp fishery with an incredible 49lb 8oz fish.

Toby Yates was targeting tench on Sandmartin Lake on the Bluebell Lakes day-ticket complex in Northants when the massive fish picked up his tiny hookbait.

Fishing alongside friend Ash Bainbridge, the pair, from Sale in Greater Manchester, were both after tincas, having moved on to Sandmartin after 48 hours catching small tench at another gravel pit.

Ash said: “With Sandmartin Lake being deep and relatively sheltered we thought this might give us a better chance of tench,” explained Ash.

Toby set up in a noted summer hotspot on the lake, and had a succession of bites.

“Tench came throughout the day, with the carp favouring early mornings.

“Toby managed two nice tench of 9lb 8oz and 9lb 12oz.

“On our final morning the usual bite time for carp came and went without many indications. We started to pack down, then Toby’s right-hand rod was away. 

“After a lengthy battle on 8lb Maxima a beast of a common carp surfaced!

“I went straight in up to my waist and netted the carp. It went 49lb 8oz, and I believe this is the Sandmartin lake record for the species.”

Toby used a single grain of fake corn on a size 10 Korda Wide Gape hook tied to 6ins of 12lb E-S-P Ghost Soft on a helicopter set-up with a cage feeder.

He fed groundbait with mixed particles and corn.