ALEX JAQUES knew there would be a drop in air pressure so quickly booked some time off work and caught this PB 51 lb 2 oz common carp.
Alex’s giant day ticket carp came from Old Mill Lakes near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire.
The 30-year-old field technician at Yorkshire Water said: “I keep a keen eye on the weather on an app on my phone.
“After seeing a drop in pressure was due, I managed to wangle a couple of days off work at short notice.
“I excitedly booked myself onto the Birch Lake at Old Mill and arrived just after 7 am the next day.
“I noticed the wind felt a little cold and seemed to be blowing in from the north east so after a quick lap around the lake, I decided on the Sands swim.
“This swim seemed a little bit more sheltered and was the first place to catch the sun.
“The following 36 hours of my session went without much event and the lake seemed quiet.
“Then, out of the blue, I heard fellow angler Jake Bannister celebrating in the next swim down and he certainly had as the result was a 46 lb mirror called Powers.
“This gave me a renewed confidence going into my final 12 hours fishing so I recast my rods and picked a spot at longer range, targeting the channel behind the island where the 46 lb specimen was picked up.
“Feeding regularly with a throwing stick, I wanted to get the fish feeding.
“The night dropped cold and passed without disturbance and I awoke in the morning feeling slightly deflated and admittedly a little defeated.”
Rush to strike into ‘jewel’ of a day ticket carp
Alex continued: “With just over four hours remaining and being tired, cold, hungry and full of flu, I contemplated an early pack up, but the warmth of the sleeping bag was a little too tempting.
“Suddenly I was awoken by the very welcome sound of my middle Delkim (alarm) bleeping into life.
“I raced over to the rod, missing my Crocs (sandals) as I went, so bare foot it was. I picked up the rod and immediately felt a large heavy resistance.
“My net was a little out of reach so I shouted over to regular Scott Thompson who was in the swim to my left and he very kindly dashed round to do the honours for me.
“I was in total disbelief, a UK 50 and the jewel of the lake right at death… what a massive result and a memory that will certainly last me a lifetime.
“I felt completely honoured and privileged to have caught this very special fish and I’m already planning my next visit,” concluded Alex.
Bradford, West Yorkshire-based Alex tempted his giant day ticket carp on a Trent Baits Shrimp snowman rig.
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