CARP angler Richard Eyles recently managed to catch the only known bream at Pan Lake in Kent, a remarkable 18lb 12oz specimen.
He told Angling Times the story of the unique capture...
“I’d been after carp, but with very few fish being caught over the last few weeks, I was keeping an eye out for other species.
“When I joined the lake earlier this year, I remember seeing pictures of a huge bream that it holds. It’s an ancient old thing that comes out a few times each season but, perhaps most unusually, it’s the only one in the lake.
“It’s a proper old character, with deep bronze flanks and a red belly, and it was one fish I really fancied catching.
“So, when I was struggling during a recent session, I noticed a few fish roll over a spot close in. Most of them were tench, but among them was something I was certain was a bream – THE bream.
“I reeled in one of the rods, did away with the heavy carp rig, and scrambled around in my tackle box for components to make a lighter rig. I tied on a longer hooklength of supple braid to a size 8 hook and searched my bait boxes for something suitable. A bit of fake corn would have been ideal, but plastic baits aren’t allowed on the lake, so I found a small yellow boilie and trimmed it down until it resembled the desired shape.
“After clipping on a light 1.5oz lead, I introduced a few Spombs of hemp and corn over the area and got the rod into position.
“The first fish I caught were tench, but I stuck at it and eventually my patience was rewarded with a steady take.
“The fish I’d hooked gave a pretty spirited fight, and so I wasn’t exactly sure what it was. I had my suspicions, though, and as it neared the net, I saw the bulk of this huge bream coming across the surface. In the folds of the mesh lay the fish I was after – an immense creature with a deep red belly and plenty of stories to tell.
“I couldn’t believe its proportions, and weighing in at 18lb 12oz, it’s a magnificent fish I’m elated to have caught. I’m so glad I scaled down my gear after seeing it roll!”
