NATHAN DONOVAN shocked everyone when he had the monster mirror carp known as Giggler.
The giant of Gigantica in France had not been out since 2017, and had put on well over 20 lb to pull the scales round to 84 lb 8 oz.
The 30-year-old carper had last choice in the swim draw, but connected with the heavyweight after casting a Mainline high-viz Tutti Frutti pop-up 108 yards.
Blackpool, Lancashire-based Nathan explained: “After baiting my spots at 27 wraps using hemp, maize and Fyber boilies, in whole, halves and crumb, for two days, my alarm came to life.
“First I got one beep, then another and then it peeled.
“I lifted into it and was totally unsure of what could be on the other end, as anything is possible at Gigantica.
“I let the fish tire itself before my mate slipped the net underneath, saying ‘I don’t know if it’s going to fit?’
“When the ‘Korda boys’ came round for the official weigh, we found out the name of this monster, the Giggler, last out in 2017 by Ali Hamidi at 61 lb. This fish had stacked on weight.
“The scales went round, but I couldn’t see, and Danny Fairbrass (Korda and Gigantica boss) wanted to put the fish down as he couldn’t believe it.
“He lifted again with the help of Andy the bailiff, and the scales spun round to 84 lb 8 oz.
“This fish hadn’t been caught in over two years, and came in at 23 lb heavier than before. It’s a real fish of a lifetime.”
The catch comes soon after James Jones landed his 88 lb 4 oz common carp, known as the Immaculate, from Gigantica.
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