CARP ace Nigel Sharp has been trying to break his mirror carp personal best for nearly 20 years, and finally he succeeded with this 50 lb 8 oz chunk – on his first trip to the venue!
The former Angler’s Mail Carp Cup champion tackled a very difficult secret lake to tempt the big mirror known as Whiskers plus another called Baby Rudder at 34 lb, in quick succession.
Although it is his biggest mirror, Nigel’s carp PB stands at 52 lb 12 oz, when he ended a five-year quest for the famous Burghfield Common. He has caught numerous others over 40 lb from some of the toughest waters in the country.
Nigel, from Farnborough, Hampshire, revealed: “What makes this capture very special to me is the fact that the larger of the two fish beat my PB which had stood ever since I caught Bazil from the Yateley North Lake in April 1996 at 46 lb 10 oz!
“I’d seen showing on my arrival at the water and simply cast 70 yards towards where I’d seen them, and then over the course of the 72 hour session I introduced three kilos of boilies. I was using a throwing stick after dark to avoid disturbing the area too much, as during daylight the gulls were very problematic!” added Nigel.
Both of Nigel’s fish were landed on hinged rigs constructed from Gardner size 5 Chod hooks to Rigmarole Cam H2O hook links.
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.