One of Britain's oldest and most sought-after carp has been banked by angler John Claridge, who landed the "Croc" at a weight of 46lb 10oz.
The lake where the Croc resides is not for the faint-hearted, as anglers have to contend with the public, dogs, otters, boats, and swimmers. But undeterred, John decided it was just the challenge he needed, and with the fish nearing half a century old, it was now or never.
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I first started fishing the lake where the Croc lives about four years ago. In my first season, I caught well, landing three different 40s, but there was no sign of the Croc," he told us.
"The lake brings drama, with buoys cutting off swims that get moved around for triathlons and outdoor swimming, the kayaks and paddleboards, the public, as well as hordes of tench and millions of lobster-sized crayfish, not to mention the fear of otters."
"The Croc is close to 50 years old, if not already 50, so time was of the essence. This year, I decided to go hard and get the job done."
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Being an old fish, the Croc tends to spend a lot of time in its favorite areas of the lake and is generally seen with the same fish, John explained to us.
"On my second trip this spring, I landed three in an hour after finding some fish in the shallows, all 30s, and two of the carp the Croc spends time with."
Knowing he was close to the Croc, John concentrated his efforts in that area with even more conviction, hoping that the fish was confident and feeding over his baited areas.
"Just 10 minutes before the speed boat came out Thursday morning, I had the bite and fight I'd been waiting for, and the Croc was mine."
"The fish was in fantastic condition and a couple of pounds up in weight and she looked amazing at 46lb 10oz."
"Ecstatic and emotional, I very proudly had my moment with this stunning old creature, the fish of a lifetime and one capture I will never forget," John concluded.
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