Stunning 15lb haul of crucians topped by new PB - Richard Naylor

“I arrived at my syndicate at midnight and set up camp behind a couple of carp rods. As a parent, I have to make the most of every opportunity to fish, so after a productive night’s carping, although a little bleary-eyed, I moved swims at 8am. I rigged up my float rod and proceeded to cast my swan-quill slider float into a new lily-laden area on a quest for crucians! 

“I fished breadflake on a size 16 hook, dead on the bottom and very tight to the lilies and trickled in tiny balls of Dynamite’s Red Krill Swim Stim groundbait. Sure enough, those archetypal pin-prick bubbles eventually erupted around my float. 

“Each time I recast I pulled the float into position in the epicentre of the ensuing fizz. 

“This resulted in a succession of confident bites, leading me to bank eight crucians within two hours!

“Each spiralled valiantly into the depths while, with bated breath, I carefully thumbed the rim of my centrepin to prevent them reaching sanctuary in the snags.

“The net, weighing 15lb 6oz, featured two fish over 2lb to a PB-equalling fish of 2lb 8oz, with all the others going just under. 

These beautiful crucians seemed to shine in the net

“Furthermore, these beauties seemed to shine in the net, such was their radiance. This catch is one that I will certainly never forget!”

Richard Naylor – crucian haul of 15lb 6oz