“AFTER a few unsuccessful attempts to catch a carp from the Thames, I decided to give them a break and go after perch – a species that’s been on my bucket list.
“I don’t usually fish with lures, but I decided to try a dark minnow imitation that I thought would be highly visible
to the perch on the gloomy afternoon I was fishing.
“It turned out to be the right choice, because after a few casts I hooked my first big fish, weighing 3lb on the nose and giving me a new personal best.
“After releasing it, I started fishing again, and 10 minutes later I had this 4lb 6oz perch that smashed my new PB out of the water! I still can’t believe what happened – the adrenaline is still pumping!”
<strong>Omar Sriti – 4lb 6oz perch</strong>