Targeting some of the UK's biggest and rarest carp can be a real challenge, but one man who is happy to take the highs and the lows of big fish hunting is 2022 'Carp Angler of the Year' Dave Levy, who recently was rewarded for his efforts with this enormous 51lb 10oz common carp.
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It is a fish he started chasing over three years ago, when the Covid-19 pandemic caused many waters to turn days only. After a couple of tough winter campaigns, with the fish only being caught once in that time, Dave's determination kept him going for another crack at the fish at the end of 2023.
"The lake had become really busy with 10/14 anglers some nights," Dave told us.
"In a way this would help me. The lake was seeing far too much bait and I know baiting wouldn’t give me an edge, as I’d just be adding to the problem.
"I decided to concentrate my fishing on solid bags, something really effective."
Dave's PVA bag mix consisted of crumbed Mainline Cell and Essential Cell, with maggots and PVA Spod Pellets.
His rig incorporated 5 inches of RidgeMonkey SilkFlex in 25lb and a size 6 Apex Medium Curve hook. This was tied knotless knot style with a fake corn hookbait and six maggots on top.
"I concentrated on the central zone of the lake and I blanked my first few nights but felt it was the right method for this carp," he said.
"My first bite of the year was a 35lb common but I then blanked the next few sessions doing one night a week.
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"This last week I got down and again the lake was busy but it had done a few small fish.
"I got in the central zone and through the day recast the bags at the same range so there was five lots of small baited spots the same size as my bag."
After both his rods were wiped out by a trailer, Dave recast in the dark and the next morning the left bobbin dropped back.
"I lifted into a heavy carp," he told Angling Times.
"She kited to my right holding water, slowly I played her under the rod tip and as soon as it hit the surface, I knew it was her.
"She’s so long that I struggled netting it.
"After three years from my first day and 85 nights she was my 130th carp from the lake. Weighing 51lb 10oz, she equals the club record - a proper old English common carp."
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