16 hour wait for a free swim pays off with a big crucian - Julian Barnes

“Following the capture of my first 4lb-plus crucian from Johnsons Lake in Surrey, I went back two weeks later.

“I waited 16 hours to get the swim I wanted, but there was a northerly wind blowing, so I didn’t think I’d get a take until morning.

“I woke up to a cold start with no wind and a clear sky. I’d already Spombed out a little bait the evening before but with no fish activity I opted to regularly cast my feeders to build up the swim.

“It was looking like a blank, so I planned one last cast before heading home. Just as I thought about reeling in I got my first bite from a 3lb 11oz crucian, quickly followed by another at 3lb 4oz and then this magnificent fish of 4lb 6dr.”

Julian Barnes – 4lb 6dr crucian