Big up to Richie Latham on this 52lb from the Blue Lagoon. He told us:
“I started on the pit last year towards the end of August. Over the autumn, I quickly racked up 20 blank nights. With the pit being 4 hours from my home, the plan was to bait a spot heavily to concentrate on and also keep my eyes open for any stalking opportunities. I fished from August to December in 2024, and I went back this year at the start of April. With not seeing anything to go on, I dropped back into the same swim I had been baiting back in the autumn. Fast forward 3 weeks, and with the biggun still not being out, I planned a 4 day trip arriving on the Thursday afternoon. The lake was surprisingly quiet, and then I bumped into the bailiff who informed me that apples had been out last Monday, oh well, with no other tickets and having yet to bank any carp from the lake, I decided to stay and fish the far end of the pit in 17 feet of water “the shallows”.
I was up for 4:30 am each morning, and I was seeing fish just behind my spot, but to still no avail. By Sunday dinner time, I had the lake to myself, and I spotted some of the lakes carp cruising in the spring sunshine. Unfortunately, the light was all wrong for me to see what fish it was. I decided to bait a few margin spots along the windward edge where the water is tap clear but full of onion weed. There were a few very small spots I could hand place a bait or two , so with a sprinkle of Response ISO Fish Pellets and caster I baited with the intent to keep lapping the lake and looking for an opportunity. With the biggun only being caught 6 days ago, I thought she was off the cards. Next in line was a lovely 30+ mirror, but to be honest, with only 9 carp in 30 acres, any would do. A few hours later, I was checking the baited spots, and there they were; 5 fish, 3 small commons, the 30+ mirror and the big one apples all working the spot and looking very catchable. I had to wait for what felt like days to lower my rig in a simple slip D rig with a 12mm dumbell ISO Fish wafter. The next time apples come over the spot, she dipped down and it was game on ! One hell of a fight followed! She did not want to give in, but little by little she tired and she was mine. 9 carp in 30 acres and I catch my target fish one bite, crazy, and one I’ll never forget. New PB mirror at 52lb happy days.” Awesome, Richie. Well done.