Target achieved with big Itchen chub - Thomas Bark

“This winter I set myself the target of catching a personal-best chub from my local River Itchen. As my previous best was only 3lb 8oz, I didn’t think it would’ve been too hard a task, but I spent around two months blanking or catching bream while other anglers were landing chub to some impressive sizes.

“On January 20 I finally hooked into a good chub on the maggot feeder, but sadly I lost it at the net! It looked all of 5lb and I was absolutely gutted.

“I returned a week later to the river, and half-an-hour later I had a PB chub in the net which weighed 5lb.

“Two hours after that the quivertip smashed round again and I was into a far better fish which fought doggedly and stayed low in the current before rolling over the net. At 6lb 12oz, it was a monster, and smashed my target out of the water!”

Thomas Bark – 6lb 12oz Itchen chub

Thomas Bark – 6lb 12oz Itchen chub