ONE of the country’s biggest common carp ‘The Waterside Common’ has been banked at a new top weight of 63lb 12oz.
Darren Zimmerman was the captor of the impressive fish from Waterside Fishery, which fell during a weekend session at the Buckinghamshire venue.
Coming out seventh in the draw of nine anglers, the 34-year-old settled in a swim known as the ‘New Double’ and fished towards the aerators on the advice on venue owner Kris.
“I put two rods on the aerators with around 100 14mm Urban Baits Nutcracker boilies and dropped the third closer in on a solid bag,” he told us.
“That evening we all had a BBQ and a few beers, before going to bed excited for what the first night and next day would bring.”
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Darren didn’t have to wait too long, as just after 4am he had a screaming take on his lefthand rod.
“The fish came in quite easily at first but then was going mad under the rod tip,” he said.
“At this point I had not seen the fish as I didn’t have my headtorch with me but bundled it into the net no problem.
“When I put the light on it, I thought ‘man that’s massive’, then, ‘no way that’s the common!’”
Word quickly got round the lake and soon Darren was accompanied by his fellow anglers all looking down at the lake’s biggest resident in his net.
“We weighed the fish in at a massive 63lb 12oz, a new lake record that smashes my PB by over 30lb,” he said.
“This really was a dream come true for an amateur with a passion for carp fishing.
“We took some more photos in the water of the most amazing carp I have ever had the pleasure of catching and I think my smile says it all.
“That was the only fish of the weekend for me but what a fish to have, a fish of a lifetime, which I am not sure I will ever surpass.
“The memories made at Waterside Fishery will last a lifetime and I cannot wait to go back.”
Darren’s incredible common took a Sticky Baits Pineapple and N’Butyric pop-up soaked in Korda Pineapple and Isotonic Goo, presented on a Spinner rig.