It is often surprising how some fish in lakes can evade capture for years, despite being seen eating anglers bait. This is exceptional looking koi is one such fish which was banked by Danny Gardiner after last being caught over 10 years previous!
Arriving at his local syndicate lake in Essex, Danny had a good walk round and settled in a swim he hadn't fished before but had seen a number of fish showing.
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"After having a good walk round, I settled in a swim I hadn't fished before after seeing some fish showing on a gravel bar around 12 wraps out," Danny told us.
"The spot is really obvious as it glows up in the sunlight, so I was able to get my rods out really quickly and with minimal disturbance."
"I got around a kilo of boilies out over the spot and the traps were set, I had seen the koi but thought nothing of it."
Danny explained the fish gets seen everywhere around the lake but has only done one last capture in the last 10 years.
"The fish does spend time with the others and whilst you don't catch it, the koi does give away the location of the other fish," he added.
"Despite the fish activity slowing down, I was still confident and around midnight, the spot erupted and I had a savage take."
"The fish didn't fight much to begin with but it really woke up under the rod tip and really put up a good account for itself."
"I couldn't believe it when the fish popped up and it was the koi, it is an amazing fish to see on the bank."
"The fish weighed 17lb 5oz, not the biggest fish in the lake, but to hold a fish that does so few captures made it special."
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