4lb-plus crucian lights up a misty morning

After a successful trip a few weeks ago, Julian Barnes returned to Surrey’s famous Johnsons Lake to target its monster crucians.

After a quiet first day with northerly winds and dropping temperatures, Julian saw three fish roll through the mist of first light the next morning.

“I Spombed out a little bait and left it to settle for 30 minutes before casting two rigs over the top,” he tells us.

“The first bite resulted in this magnificent 4lb 2oz crucian, which is a personal best, and it was quickly followed by three more fish to 3lb 8oz before bites dried up.”

Method feeder tactics with fake caster hookbaits and a special Method mix did the damage. 

Julian Barnes and his 4lb 2oz crucian from Marsh Farm