Three 3lb-plus crucians hit the net in frantic feeding spell - James Howes

“It’s a 300-mile round trip to the southern club lake I’m a member of, so I set off from my Norfolk home at 1.30am to get there for first light. 

“My target was crucians, but with extreme temperatures forecast for the day I was a bit apprehensive. Luckily the heat didn’t put the fish off feeding!

“After finding a swim I was happy with, I baited it with six Spombs of groundbait, hemp and pellets before casting Method feeders over the top with fake caster hookbaits.

“I had to wait until 11am for my first take, but it was a good fish at 3lb 8oz.

“Knowing that bites come thick and fast on that water I quickly unhooked the crucian in the net then recast my rod.

“Before I’d even got the camera sorted my rod was away again!

“This one looked bigger, but before weighing it I repeated the process as before and cast the rod back out. 

“While playing with my camera’s settings I had yet another take and crucian number three found its way into the net.

“I thought the second and third crucians could’ve weighed 4lb but on the scales they both registered the same weight at 3lb 13oz.

“I did have a fourth take at around 1.30pm which resulted in a 2lb 8oz fish, but that was the last of the action as temperatures rose to 34°C!”

James Howes and his brace of 3lb 13oz crucians