Huge Common Carp Caught Off The Top

Burnley all-round angler Tony Ashworth a fire fighter based at Bamber Bridge near Preston Lancashire has captured a common carp of 56 lb 2 ounces from day ticket water Bluebell Lake, a gravel pit near Peterborough. Its the biggest common carp, also the biggest caught off the surface in the UK.

Tony used a Daiwa Infinity 21/4 lb test curve rod, Shimano 10,000 reel, line used was Gardener GR80 12lb breaking strain with a size 10 Drennan Specialist hook attached to an eight pound fly fishing leader.. Tony when given the chance likes to fish floater baits using an anchored floater rig (Zig rig) with a 13 foot tail.

Tony with his friend Brian Moloy also of Burnley had only been on the water about fifteen minutes when they spotted some feeding carp. On this trip it was Tony's choice of swim, naturally he elected to fish in the area where he had seen the carp. Within minutes of casting out a biscuit shaped piece of floating boily. Tony had a take, the answering strike connected with a heavy fish. He decided to fight it out in the centre of the lake in the open water. As he said "I didn't want a fresh fish in the weedy snaggy margins"

Slowly Tony was able to take in line and gradually tire out the fish, then guide it into the shallows where Brian had waded out with the 52" landing. Soon the fish was head first in the net with the tail still outside outside, but some quick thinking by Brian soon had all the fish engulfed fully in the net. Benson had been captured. Weighing in at 56-2-0 See pictures