GAVIN NEAL set a new venue record on St. John’s Pool with this superb 48 lb 4 oz fish called The Box Common. It's the biggest common caught so far at the Linear Fisheries' water in Oxfordshire.

Grendon Underwood, Buckinghamshire-based Gavin used a Blakes Baits strawberry boilie over a Spombed 5 Kg area at 80 yards.

St. Johns, an 18 acre former gravel pit, is one of the most famous day ticket waters in the country. And it’s one of the very best if you like big fish.

A majority of its carp are in excess of 20 lb with at least 40  in excess of 30lb. Many of these bigger fish have been caught at over 36 lb and at the right time of the year at least seven of them have been recorded in excess of 40 lb.

Linear say: “St. Johns, along with Manor Farm Lake for their sizes, could possibly be amongst the most prolific twenties and thirties day ticket waters in the country and with the carp in both lakes continuing to grow, Linear expect the waters to produce even bigger fish in the future.

“Linear is continuing a stocking policy on St. John’s that has seen 300 good size carp introduced over the last three years – the continuing plan is to introduce at least another 20 selected fish from their stock waters this year. ”

Catfish also feature at St. Johns, pike to over 20 lb have been caught recently, tench run to over 12 lb and bream of over 15 lb have been recorded.

Linear Fisheries’ day only fishing – (applying when gates are open: 8am-9pm March-Sept and 8am-6pm Oct-Feb) apply to all day tickets waters except Hunts Corner Lake and Pond. They are: 1 rod  £7; 2 rods £15; 3 rods £18. 24-hour tickets are 1 rod £9 (from April 1st 2016 £10; 2 rods £22 (from April 1st 2016 £22.50); 3 rods £28 (from April 1st 2016 £28.50).

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.

WE ALL need confidence in what bait we use, but do any us really understand what carp really want – and why? With the aid of an overlooked old scientific paper, our carp fishing analyst Colin Davidson explores this fascinating topic - read Colin's verdict in Angler's Mail magazine. Here we share the original papers which inspired him.

Colin, who writes an exclusive weekly column in Angler’s Mail magazine’s new Carp Crew pages, said: “It was absolutely fascinating to be sent scans of a published scientific paper from 1960 detailing the responses of carp to 115 different flavours and types of food by aquatics expert Bruno Broughton. It’s essential reading for anyone interested in carp.”

Here, we share with you that paper, entitled: Reactions of Aquarium Carp to Food and Flavours’ by Howard A Loeb. Published in the New York Fish & Game Journal. Volume 7, pages 60-71. 1960.

It’s heavy going, but may change your attitude to bait, like Colin’s insightful columns in AM magazine. If you have views after reading this work below, please drop a line to anglersmail@timeinc.com

Read Colin Davidson’s thoughts on this paper and many carp matters in Angler’s Mail magazine.

If you have views after reading this work about carp feeding habits and bait, please drop a line to anglersmail@timeinc.com

THE warmer weather that's finally arriving will trigger a lot of fish into moving around and feeding. So read on for some carp tips to help you get them in your net!

Even though the temperature outside is now rising, it is still very noticeable just how few fish seem to be getting their heads down in venues much deeper than 10 feet plus.

Shallower venues always seem to wake up first when it comes to bottom baits and this has been quite apparent.

So if you’re planning a session right now, and over the next few weeks, what should you consider? Try these five things for starters…

5 quick carp fishing tips to remember this springtime

1. What depth?

When fishing deeper venues, try and work out the depth that the fish are feeding at. Quite often fish will be showing, but have no intentions on venturing to the bottom to feed.

2. Fresh weed

Look for fresh weed growth, as these areas will be visited by fish regularly due to the sudden influx of natural food that they provide.

A whittled down zig, used by ACE and Dynamite Baits consultant Mike Hamer.

3. Zig it

Zig rigging is now an extremely popular method of fishing and many fish are wising up to it. It can massively pay to try something very different, whether it be an usual coloured piece of foam or randomly whittled boilie.

4. Sharp hooks

Zig rigging can be hugely rewarded, but frustrating at the same time. Due to the nature of it, hookholds can be light at times and can see many fish come adrift.  Super sharp hooks to drive the hook home should the fish mouth the bait.

5. Bubblers

Keep an eye out for bubbling fish when you’re watching carp top. The chances are that if bubbling isn’t apparent the fish are feeding off the bottom. This is when you know that you need to start zigging!

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and catch details exclusively to Angler’s Mail magazine, to: anglersmail@timeinc.com

TACKLE dealer Zack Barrett set a new lake record with a monster 60 lb 2 oz mirror carp – from a water that is predicted to become one of the best in the future.

Melton Angling boss Zack took the sought-after fish from Holme Fen Fishery in the Cambridgeshire Fens with Meadows Lake holding a monstrous 30 fish over 40 lb in its 26 acres.

Zack, from Market Harborough, Leicestershire, explained: “I drew well with second choice and went straight into the beach swim as it has done fish recently.

“I had been told there are quite a few fishable areas but the 100 yard range has done the fish recently.

“I found a marker on the far bank where the bottom seemed patchy with weed but hard. With the poor weather I decided to fish a small PVA bag drop off style with crushed PCF pellet and a CC Moore Northern Special wafter. I spodded about 500 gr of pellet, corn and Sticky Krill 12mm boilies over the top.

“It is a new UK PB, previous was 46 lb. It took a while to get in, it went through two small weed beds and two high bars that almost got through the line and after I had to strip 30 yard off after with damage on it OK.

“I used Avid carp lead drop system with Korda size 6 crank with 20 lb Korda dark matter braid tied KD style with the wafter on it,” he added.

 This is just a short version of the full story that appeared in Angler’s Mail printed magazine. Get the magazine every week for top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.

DAN PESTELL was thrilled when he landed this stunning 48 lb 6 oz mirror while fishing Rockford Lake in Ringwood, Hampshire, thanks to his pals.

Arriving mid afternoon, his friends told him fish had been crashing nearby at the Ringwood DAA controlled venue so he knew which swim to pick.

Bournemouth, Dorset-based Dan explained: “My mates, TJ and Rusty, had been at the lake since the night before and had seen some fish showing in a nearby swim. I jumped straight in there!

“I found a nice area of smooth silt over the back of a gravel bar at just over 100 yards range.

“I blanked the first night. I was getting pretty savage liners most of the morning right up until early afternoon. At 3pm the right hand rod tip pulled down and slowly started to pull away.

Slowly plodding – then shaking her head

“Instantly, I felt like it was a big fish. She was slowly plodding and shaking her head before blistering off on a 50 yard run.”

“At one point, she jumped out of the water like a pike, shaking her head from side to side and trying to throw the hook. After a few tense moments involving a bush and some brown underpants, she was scooped up first time!”

“Her condition was pristine and she glowed an epic orange and cream in the spring sunshine. She was easily one of the best looking carp I have ever seen or am likely to see again!”

Dan used hinge-stiff rigs with a size 5 size 5 E-S-P Cryogen Stiff Rigger hook to E-S-P Bristlefilament trace to present a CC Moore Pacific Tuna white pop-up over 3 Kg of matching freebies. He also caught another called The Rudder at 34 lb 2 oz.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.

Who better to inspire you for some carp action now we're in proper spring than Julian Cundiff? Here Jules shares his top seasonal tips gleaned through many years of activity out on the bank.

WITH the sun out and carp at last making themselves known on most waters it would be very easy to think that you really can’t fail at the moment. If only that were true!!

High pressure conditions, blue sky in the day and frosty nights mean that carp can be all over the place when it comes to ‘patterns’ so here’s a few tips from my near 30 years of carp fishing to help you put some on the bank this spring…

Dawn and dusk…

THE two times to see carp are dawn and dusk and waters that appear lifeless can come alive an hour into dark and an hour before light in the morning. Set that alarm for 5 am and ensure you are watching the water.

They will show themselves, I assure you, and if you are NOT on them then move and if you’ve yet to set up then make the right choice.

Reeds and shallows…

THE two places to find carp. If there is any warmth in that sun the carp will be in the shallows as that’s the first place to warm up. It’s where the natural food will first start to appear.

If it’s deep enough to cover their backs it’s deep enough for them to be there. If your water has any reed growth they certainly will be there too rubbing against the stems and feeding on the food that is found on and in them. Watch carefully for stems moving, they are there I promise.

Singles Rule…

At this time of year you are fishing for bites so forget piling lots of bait in but concentrate on single pop ups on multi-rigs just off the deck. The TWO best colours in the spring for a bite are yellow and white (with maybe pink getting up there..)

I also find the colour MORE important than the flavour so go for the right colours rather than attractors. Also vary your colours. White not working ? Try yellow. Yellow not working try pink…

Targeting carp off the top is a great early-summer tactic.

Up top…

Surface fishing is not just for summer and in spring it’s just as good, in fact sometimes even better as not everyone will have been hammering it.

The TWO surface baits I favour are Riser Pellets and mixers. Combined, these two really do undo the hardest to tempt carp far better than either on their own.

Use a 50/50 mix of both and catapult or Spod them out at dusk with maybe a coating of Scopex Squid liquid on them, and watch that water for proof of their effectiveness.

And finally…

The TWO most important factors to catching carp are going, and keeping on going!

Anyone can talk a good game at home on social media but you can’t catch them there, can you? Get your diary organised, sort the time out and stick to it.

No excuses, no putting it off…Get out there and keep getting out there…

See you on the bank

Julian

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email pictures and details to: anglersmail@timeinc.com and you could get into Angler’s Mail magazine, now with a great Carp Crew section.

THE first real donkey has been caught from the newly opened up Nash Lakes with this 52 lb mirror carp.

Michael Clements matted the magnificent mirror called the 4×4 from the Church Lake at Kevin Nash’s Essex complex.

Church and neighbouring Copse Lake had always been exclusive until this year but Michael was thrilled to get a winning bid accepted for one of the first opening five day stints.

Michael said: “I was lucky enough to spend a few nights fishing Kevin’s stunning Church Lake. It is a venue I have always wanted to fish but never thought the opportunity would come my way until he decided to open it to the public.

“The lake was even more beautiful than I imagined and a couple of large carp crashed out within minutes of being there. With the weather being unsettled the fishing proved very tricky and it was towards the end of my session that I finally received the bite I had been praying for.

“After trying a range of different tactics it was a switch to a pink Nash Key pop-up straight off the lead in the thickest weed I could find that proved successful.

“The bobbin lifted a couple of inches before dropping to the floor, indicating the lead had come off. After picking the rod up I was immediately forced to give line as a very powerful fish made the first of several long runs.

“After ten minutes or so the fish had ground to a halt in a weed bed 100 yards from where I had first hooked it. There was a point that I couldn’t feel any movement on the end and I was worried that the fish had come off.

“Hoping the fish was still attached, myself and the bailiff Les headed out in the boat to try and free the fish from the weed. After getting above the carp I was relieved when it was soon on the move once again and after several more powerful runs was expertly netted by Les. “Just as we got back to land Kevin Nash turned up and this made the moment even more special and one I will never forget.

“Even if I had blanked I can honestly say I had a fantastic week but the capture of this beautiful and huge carp made it even better.

Nash Lakes latest: www.nashlakes.com

This is just a short version of the full story that appeared in Angler’s Mail printed magazine. Get the magazine every week for top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.

ANGLER'S MAIL is No.1 for tips and tricks! Here's another one. This time we show you how to set up a floater fishing rig, so in the coming months you can nail them off the top!

There are many surface controller floats on the market now.

Korda’s Interceptor Distance Controller Float features interchangeable bodies between the sizes to suit the distance you are going to fish at. There are now some fantastic models by other manufacturers too. Should you need to cast out further, simply change the body to a heavier one.

To set the float up, simply pull the body off the hollow tube and insert the main line through the tube.

The line should emerge out of the end of the tube and through the soft recess, which is designed so that a No.11 ring swivel will fit perfectly. Tie the main line to this swivel, then wet the barrel of the swivel and push it into the soft insert.

Attach a 5 to 7 ft hook length, such as Drennan Double Strength or, as shown, Korda’s Kruiser Control hook length.

Now attach your hook, like this Mixa B in a size 12, to complement the bait size. Put a John Roberts Pellet Band or Greys Prodigy Band around your hook bait and push the point of the hook through the tag of the band and slide up the shank.

Lock the band into place on the shank by using a small blob of superglue.

The rig is almost complete and all that remains is to fit the body of the Interceptor back onto the tubing.

Do this by aligning the slot of the body with the main line and slide up onto the tube and push down to fit snugly over the soft swivel housing into the recess of the float body.

Now you are ready to start floater fishing!

Apply some Mucilin line floatant to the main line if you are having problems with it sinking.

Good luck! Surely nothing beats targeting cruising carp on floating baits on warm days!

WANT TO READ GREAT CARP FISHING  COVERAGE EVERY WEEK? Read the Carp Crew section in Angler’s Mail magazine – on sale every Tuesday. And report catches to us too by email to: anglersmail@timeinc.com

CARP maestro Les Marsh believes the lake that has just given him a county record carp could become the No.1 UK carp water in a few years time.

Les was thrilled to notch up a new Lincolnshire carp record with this 60 lb 5 oz beast from the Deepings No.1 syndicate lake – but says the fishery is only going to get better.

Guisborough, North Yorkshire-based Les, 56, explained: “The fish have grown on steadily for just over ten years, they average 2-5 lb a year.

“
There are a number of good fish coming through all the time, lots of high 30s and a few of the 40s are close to the 50 lb mark so who knows what they can achieve in the next ten years!

“It is without a doubt one of the best big fish syndicates in the UK and anybody can apply to put their name down.

“I haven’t even completed a full season yet and extremely pleased with it being such a well run syndicate with no nonsense rules and a no nonsense owner.

“I joined last July and since then I’ve had four 40s to 48 lb 12 oz and a 53 lb common plus around ten 30s, numerous 20s and the odd double,” he added.

59 lb 4 oz carp personal best beaten

Les’s new UK PB, which has stood since 2006 with a 59 lb 4 oz fish called The Creature, used JH Baits KLF boilies with Hybrid Tackle’s size 4 Armohawk wide gape hooks with Hybrid Konda hook lengths.

The three lake venue near Boston was built in the late 1950s and was a trout fishery until 2000 where it has been tirelessly worked on to produce three quality carp waters.

Deepings No.1 has round 50-60 carp including ex Walthamstow Reservoir fish and many believe it could soon produce numerous 50 and 60-pounders.

For great carp fishing coverage every week, read Angler’s Mail printed magazine. Get the magazine every week for top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.

CARP TEAM ENGLAND boss Rob Hughes has revealed his squad to retain the World Champions status – and fears home nation France could be our biggest rivals.

Rob and his hard-working side created history last September on Spain’s River Ebro when they won the World Carp Championships for the very first time – and now they are desperate to take the title for a second successive year.

Rob revealed: “The championships will be held at Lake Bourdon in France and the French are already a very strong and competitive team. Add the home advantage and they will be a massive force this year.

“We did so well last year and it was such a team effort with every single one of the anglers and the helpers playing their part.

“My lads will need to be strong, tough and technically capable, and the line up I have chosen is exactly that. We’ve got some great new blood and say goodbye to some valued friends.”

Rob Hughes aims to have England flying high again, after masterminding a brilliant World Champs win last year, his first in charge.

Extra added to England carp squad

Rob has decided to add an extra pair to the squad this year and hopes the extra knowledge will help pull some vital fish.

In total there will be two new pairs of Ryan Need and Wayne Mansford plus Tom Maker and Karl Pitcher.

Gold winning pairs Jamie Londors and Billy Flowers, now Angler’s Mail magazine weekly columnists, plus Neil Rivers and Chris Holmes retain their spots.

Outgoing members are Harry Charrington’s partner Alexei Bygrave, who has study commitments, and Paul Booth, the Ebro expert who contributed so much into the team last year.

For great carp fishing coverage every week be sure to read Angler’s Mail printed magazine. Get the magazine every week for top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.

HERE'S one of Britain's most stunning big carp - caught from a spot where the captor didn't really want to fish!

Andrew Harvgreaves had been after the Wood Common after nabbing the Long Common from the Airfield Lakes complex in Norfolk and got his target on the fith attempt at 49 lb 6 oz.

Salford, Greater Manchester-based Andrew, 29, was on Spitfire Pool when he tempted the fish despite a swim he didn’t really want.

The leisure manager explained: “We split the pool and I drew the unfavored side for the time as the fish were elsewhere.

“I got my spots sorted. I had chose to fish a couple of types of bottom to cover myself and after about 36 hours I finally spotted the Wood and two others in my area of heavy weed.

“It was there for about three days just sat sunning itself. Not once did I see it feed but knew that it had to at some point being a massive fish and a fish that works in line with the moon phases.”

Final morning glory with big carp

Andrew told Angler’s Mail: “Last night came to a close and I felt defeated, I’d fed other fish all week but just had to sit it for the wood as it was going to be the only fish to make me happy, it’s what I was there for.

“Up for the last morning and about to leave and up rose the bobbin, it was on a small gravel hump surrounded by mares tail and silkweed.

“A slow fight commenced typical of the wood but I didn’t believe it was that fish till it went over the net cord. I was buzzing and shouted out ‘yeeeeehhhaaaaaaaa’ that was heard all around the complex.

Andrew tempted it on an Impulse Baits washed out pink pepper squid pop-up fished over Apex freebies, using about 5 kilos over six days.

Get Angler’s Mail magazine every week for great carp fishing coverage, top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.

ONE of the most promising carp venues in the country, Wingham, has produced its first 60 lb giant – and the fishery boss predicts much more to come.

Dan Taylor nabbed the 60 lb 8 oz mirror from the Carp Lake at Kent’s tough but rewarding Wingham Fisheries after nabbing the then lake record 59 lb 8 oz common last year.

On his first trip back to Wingham since early August, Dan extended the lake record, this time with the stunning mirror in an amazing almost simultaneous triple take!

Just after dawn on the first day of a three night session, the 27-year-old tree surgeon had a low 20 lb common in his net when a second rod roared off.

He ended up with two commons in his net at once, so released the first, smaller one and weighed the second at 29 lb 14 oz. As he was doing so he had a take on his third rod.

Tremendous scrap with 60-pounder

Dan, from Ashford in the same county, said: “The third fish put up a tremendous scrap and my heart was in my mouth when I saw the black spot on her flank that meant I’d hooked the biggest mirror in the lake. When I eventually managed to land her I was shaking.

“I was shaking even more when the bailiff weighed her at 60 lb 8 oz. I was still shaking as I struggled to lift her for the photos.”

Dan took the big girl at 110 yards in a silty gully 11-14 feet deep on a 15 mm Nash Bait White Citrus pop-up boilies amongst 2 kilos of 10 and 15 mm Nash Key freebies.

More 60-pounders in the future at Wingham

Wingham boss and creator, Steve Burke, who also has an eye open for a bream record at his two lake syndicate, thinks there’s a good chance of a few other 60-pounders over the next decade.

Steve told Angler’s Mail: “This fish was born at Wingham and is still growing fast, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what she’ll reach.”

“I’ve genuinely no idea if this fish could hit 70 lb. As I’ve said many times before, with the way I run Wingham we’re in uncharted territory.

“As most of the 50s were born at Wingham I don’t know exactly how old they are.  However I always predicted that the first generation of carp that were born here would grow the biggest.

“We’re lost count of the 40s in the Carp Lake at the moment as we haven’t had time to go through the photos for a while. However there’s been five different 50s plus two 49s.”

Lot of mystery in Wingham Main Lake

Steve continued: “On the Main Lake that I opened fully for carp fishing only in March last year there’s a lot of mystery. It has already produced 11 different 40s including a scraper 50.

“The fish are even younger than in the Carp Lake, and many of us think that it’ll surpass even the Carp Lake before long. Certainly it could throw up a few surprises as it’s had very little pressure,” predicted Steve.

Get the Angler’s Mail magazine every week for latest big carp catches….plus top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.

ONE of the biggest fishing-mad nations is trying to decimate all their carp with a killer virus, KHV, that can destroy 95 per cent of the population.

While the British government are trying to rid England and Wales of the killer Koi Herpes Virus (KHV), the Australian government are spending £8 million pounds releasing the deadly plague.

Dubbed “Carpageddon” by their government, the National Carp Control Plan is being put through by their deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who hit the headlines last year for wanting to kill Johnny Depp’s dogs.

Non-native carp have tore through Australia like rabbits did last century, and the Murray River where the initial attack will begin, is now estimated to have a carp biomass approaching 90 per cent.

Australia released myxomatosis into the wild in 1950 and that killed 500 million rabbits in two years.

‘Millions of tonnes of carp  will be dead’

Science minister Christopher Pyne said: “Suddenly, there will be literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions of tonnes of carp that will be dead and it will be costly to remove the corpses.”

Top Leicestershire-based fisheries scientist Ian Wellby of acclaimed fisheries consultants, Blue Roof Ltd, said: “I have severe doubts about this. The virus can cause a high percent mortality as has been seen in Japan. However it often doesn’t as can be seen in some of the UK outbreaks.

“The ones left will be immune and so would have to be dealt with by a different method otherwise you would be quickly back to square one. Also it can infect other species of fish, but I assume they have checked native fish species.

“Biological systems are never simple and I fear the law of unintended consequences may see an outcome that is unexpected.

“It seems strange that river can carry such a huge biomass of carp and perhaps there is something else that is causing the problem for example a very high nutrient loading in the river system from agricultural run off,” added Ian.

No KHV has been found so far in 2016 by the Fish Health Inspectorate in the UK but the disease comes into force with warmer water temperatures, normally in August and September. Last year 11 venues were hit, with 23 in 2014.

Read Angler’s Mail printed magazine every week for top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the print magazine and win great prizes.

EVERY angler’s dream is to discover an unfished pond... and James Thomson hit the jackpot when he stumbled across a three-acre Mr Crabtree-type water five minutes from his front door. He's since bagged up with many species.

Since his discovery, James has landed numerous specimen carp to 30 lb, rudd over 2 lb plus a bonus 20 lb-plus pike.

The 32-year-old operations administrator from near Lincoln explained: “The ownership of the water buried deep in the countryside remains a mystery!

“I pursued all the usual channels to gain permission and nobody knows anything about it, so I am taking the gamble until told otherwise!

“I have done about ten nights over six weeks, baiting the water every day with new Jason Hayward’s MPX boilies and have introduced about 15 kg in that time.

“The first night I wasn’t even sure if there was any carp in there, it was a total stab in the dark, but fishing the margins in about 18 feet of water on MPX Corkballers, I’ve had nine over 25 lb, my biggest going 30 lb 10 oz.”

Rudd and pike action too

James continued: “I witnessed the rudd feeding on the warmer evenings around my baited spots and being an all-rounder, and not an out and out carp man, I had to have a go.

“Fishing on the surface within one metre of the bank with freelined casters did the damage! I took five fish all over 1 lb 8 oz with two over 2 lb, the largest being a PB 2 lb 7 oz.

“The biggest rudd was grabbed under my rod tip by a big pike but I nursed the fish back and it went off strongly. So I just had to get back the next day with the predator gear and within five minutes of flicking a live roach out onto the same spot it was away.

“A PB pike of 21 lb 2 oz was soon in the net and it was clearly the same one that had the rudd the day before, easily identifiable by a spilt fin. Sweet revenge for that rudd!

“I am still dreaming of what may lurk in the depths of this wonderful place. I have seen big roach and perch and will explore their potential in the not too distant future.

“As for the carp… well let’s just say I haven’t had the big girls yet!”

Read Angler’s Mail printed magazine every week for top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.

NICK CLEGG almost doubled his personal best carp with this stunning 61 lb 2 oz common in a brilliant week for huge carp.

The politician namesake tempted the fish – called Lee Jackson after the former British record holder – from Strawberry Fields in Kent. It was Nick’s  first ever visit to the tiny day ticket venue near Tunbridge Wells.

The 30-year-old team manager from Horley, Surrey, explained: “My good friend James Coleman told me he wanted to treat me to a little gem of a fishery.

“He booked a 24 hour session and the weather was crisp and clear, the temperature on the rise.

“We decided to have an evening meal together and we heard fish rolling over in my swim. I had a good feeling.”

Long and thick specimen

Nick continued: “When I struck into the fish that night it felt big. I set the drag and let it run, keeping the pressure on and letting the rod tip do the work.

“It seemed like forever until it went into the net. As soon as he saw it my friend said you’ve got Lee Jackson.

“The size of this fish shocked me, he was so long and thick from above. It almost looked as though he was too big for my landing net.

“When it weighed in at 61 lb 2 oz I couldn’t believe it. From a PB of 33 lb to over 60 lb.

“Lee Jackson doesn’t come out very often and I was the lucky angler to have him grace my net,” he added.

It was tempted on a Nash 4G Squid pop-up boilie fished just off bottom over a couple handfuls of crumbed boilies put in every few hours.

The giant carp’s heaviest capture was by Leanne Jaynes back in the autumn, when she landed it at a new lake record of 63 lb 4 oz and can be traced back to when it was 5 lb 8 oz just under 20 years ago. It was born in the lake and not part of any stockings.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.

THIS mega specimen known as Three Scale came out at 59 lb 6 oz following a venue's five-month enforced closure.... setting a new record carp weight the whole of Yorkshire.

Scott Kelly recorded the fish just 6 oz below the venue record carp weight at day ticket Erics Angling’s Willows Lake in West Yorkshire.

Fishery bailiff Tom Broomhead said: “Extensive flooding from the River Calder over the whole area has put all our fish under added stress, although fortunately due to our perimeter fencing all returned to the lake as the flooding receded.

“Willows only re-opened in mid-April so fishing baits have been absent, although the diverse range of aquatic invertebrates does provide a rich and abundant natural food source.

“Three Scale is a female so with full spawn after a good winter there is every chance she can go over 60 lb. That fish was stocked at just 9 lb ten years ago!”

Birthday session celebration with record carp

Scott, an IT project manager from nearby Leeds, landed the PB mirror on a two-day session celebrating his 42nd birthday.

He added a PB leather of 45 lb 6 oz, plus five others including another over 40 and two 30s to make it a perfect birthday trip.

He said: “I had previously lost three scale two years before at the net, and she has been my target since then.”

All the fish were caught on Spotted Fin Catalyst Wafter boilies in solid PVA bags filled with Tuna Stix, crumbed freebies, Liquid Tuna, Hemp Oil and GLM, over a scattering of boilies and Beta Fin Pellets, and fished on a size 4 wide Gape and 15 lb Soft Fin Skin.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in print in Angler’s Mail magazine and win great prizes. Be sure to read the mag every week for brilliant carp fishing coverage and the whole coarse fishing scene.

ANDY MATTHEWS had the carp trip of a lifetime catching two 50s in a three day session with this 55 lb 8 oz common, plus a 52 lb mirror.

The 52-year-old from Faversham, Kent, tackled local Wingham Carp Lake where he legered boilies at 80 yards on a shallow plateau and fished over 20 freebies.

The two-lake venue recently gave a 60-pounder to top carper Dan Taylor, and has been tipped to grow its fame even more as fish keep getting bigger.Wingham also has an eye open for a bream record.

Bright future at Wingham Carp Lake

Wingham boss and creator, Steve Burke recently told the Mail he thinks there’s a good chance of a few other 60-pounders over the next decade.

Steve told Angler’s Mail: “This fish was born at Wingham and is still growing fast, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what she’ll reach.”

“I’ve genuinely no idea if this fish could hit 70 lb. As I’ve said many times before, with the way I run Wingham we’re in uncharted territory.

“As most of the 50s were born at Wingham I don’t know exactly how old they are.  However I always predicted that the first generation of carp that were born here would grow the biggest.

“We’re lost count of the 40s in the Carp Lake at the moment as we haven’t had time to go through the photos for a while. However there’s been five different 50s plus two 49s.”

Wingham Main Lake also one to watch

Steve continued: “On the Main Lake that I opened fully for carp fishing only in March last year there’s a lot of mystery. It has already produced 11 different 40s including a scraper 50.

“The fish are even younger than in the Carp Lake, and many of us think that it’ll surpass even the Carp Lake before long. Certainly it could throw up a few surprises as it’s had very little pressure,” predicted Steve.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.

Andy Little, a legend of Angler's Mail magazine, shares some pointers on choosing the right controller float, like those pictured here, for presenting floating baits for carp...

BUBBLE FLOAT

A simple in-line bubble float is perfect for short range work and also if you want to drift your bait into position.

I find the less water you can get away with the more easily the rig will be carried by the wind into a potential hotspot.

EXOCET CONTROLLER

For weedy swims and around lily pads I prefer an Exocet model which can be fished on a small lead safety clip.

By using it this way, in the event of the controller getting snagged can easily be automatically jettisoned to give you a better chance of landing the fish.

Andy Little in action with Dalek-shaped controller.

DALEK-SHAPED CONTROLLER

The newish ‘Dalek’ shaped job is brilliant for when you need to offer floating hook baits at long range to reach the carp.

It also has a unique design where the hook link comes off at right angles to the main line during the cast so it flies out helicopter-style which is less likely to allow the hook link to wrap around the main line.

JON TAYLOR knew gales and driving rain would mean brilliant fishing conditions and he braved the weather for 48 hours to tempt this venue record 49 lb mirror carp.

Benfleet, Essex-based Jon fished a local syndicate lake where he added a 23 lb sample.

The 42-year-old explained: “After being kept up all night in the most extreme condition with gale force wind and driving rain I was confident.

“Just after first light in the heaviest downpour I was rewarded with this brute named Pete’s Fish at a new personal best.

“The rain continued throughout the photoshoot and considering this I was thrilled with how the photos came out.

“It’s my first season on the lake and only my fourth session. I’ve been having plenty of fish and knew with the carpy conditions I had every chance of banking one of the lakes big ones, but never did I imagine having this one,” he added.

A Sticky Baits Krill pop-up fished at short range did the trick for the mighty mirror carp, with Jon feeding 5 kg of freebies during the session.

This is a short version of the story that appeared in Angler’s Mail printed magazine. Get the magazine every week for top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.

SCHOOLBOY Ryan Taylor showed legions of adult carp anglers how to do it when he tempted this London record 46 lb 8 oz carp.

The 14-year-old smashed his personal best with the colossal common from the day ticket Walthamstow Reservoir complex in North East London.

Although many huge carp reside immediately in the counties just outside London, this fish is believed to be a London record, beating the Royal 40 mirror which peaked at 46 lb from Richmond Park in the south west of the capital.

Hampstead-based Ryan said: “I did an overnight session on Lower Maynard but wasn’t expecting to catch the big one at anew complex record!”

Relief after great fish with London record

He continued: “I was using an A2 Baits CT white pop-up boilie with 100 freebies around it.

“It gave a great fight and I knew it must be one of the bigger fish in there and it was such a relief to get her in the net,” he added.

Ryan fooled the fish used a stiff hinge rig with Korda 25 lb Mouthtrap with a size 10 Korda Choddy hook.

This is just a short version of the full story that appeared in Angler’s Mail printed magazine. Get the magazine every week for top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.

CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.