62-year-old Martin Clarke has become one of the first UK anglers in history to catch both a 60lb-plus common and a 60lb-plus mirror carp in the same calendar year from two different waters.
A legend in the carp scene, bricklayer Martin caught his first 20lb-plus fish back in the 1980s and has since reeled in big fish from all over the country, including these two recent giants.
The first of his sixties came from Waterside Fishery in Buckinghamshire, in the form of the incredible 'Big Common,' weighing a whopping 64lb.
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“I had a winter ticket for the lake for two or three years because I wanted to catch the common during the colder months,” he told us.
“It proved to be very elusive at that time of year, and with the lake being bookings-only the rest of the year, I had to wait for my chance to get on.”
Thanks to a cancellation, Martin and a group of five other keen anglers managed to book the lake. However, he was already at a disadvantage, drawing the last swim.
“After three days, I was the last person to receive a bite on the lake, and we were actually just packing up as some fish had started spawning,” he said.
“I watched this huge carp swim past my rod tips in the margins, and it nosedived towards my bait. Within a minute, off it roared.”
Knowing it was the biggest fish in the lake right from the start, Martin gingerly played the enormous fish into the net, banking his new personal best at 64lb in the process.
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With his target achieved, Martin returned to his syndicate waters content, but that changed when a second cancelled trip gave him the opportunity to fish for another UK sixty at the Manor Carp Fishery in Southampton.
“My mate won the trip at a Wraysbury charity auction, and when someone dropped out, I didn’t have to think long about taking the spot,” Martin told us.
Moving swims early in the session, Martin eventually found a spot at 15 wraps range that “felt like pea shingle,” so he positioned all three rods on it over 2kg of boilies and pellets. The following morning, one of his rods rattled off…
“My first bite from the lake, and it was ‘The Big Fully,’” he said.
“It’s the second fish I’ve weighed on my 120lb Reuben scales, and it was another sixty at 60lb 4oz!
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"I was totally blown away by that fish, not a scale out of place, a mint-conditioned carp, which just seemed to get bigger and bigger in the net.
"I went down to the shops after that and got a bottle of champagne to celebrate a new PB mirror with everyone.
“Both carp are memorable moments for sure; however, I feel like I earned the common more. I even watched an angler catch it on his first visit last winter, and that turned out to be me with the mirror – that’s carp fishing for you.”
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Both of Martin’s incredible catches fell to Handcraft Hookbaits' The Herb boilies, which he fished using a Slip-D rig - a presentation he invented in the late '80s and still considers to be the best rig there is.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MARTIN’S PHENOMENAL SLIP-D RIG AND HOW HE USES IT IN ANGLING TIMES MAGAZINE SOON.
He already has his next carp fishing adventure planned, with a ticket for the mighty Grenville syndicate in Cambridgeshire purchased.
“There are three over 60lb in there, and it’s the best fishery in the country,” he said.
“You never know your luck; if someone up there is looking over my shoulder, fate may see me net the hat trick.
"Breaking personal bests is not the be-all and end-all though; in carp fishing, everyone has their chance to shine, and luck would have it that this has been mine."
THREE TACKLE AND BAIT ITEMS THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE...
www.ebay.co.uk
A unique and incredibly effective hook pattern that offers unrivalled hooking potential and is popular with both carp and specimen anglers.
Gardner Mugga hooks can be used with a variety of hooklink materials, and provide aggressive and strong hook holds.
Available in size 2 - 12.
Pros
- Incredibly strong.
- Unique shape.
Cons
- Are pretty heavy and can be a little obvious to tricky fish.
www.ebay.co.uk
A phenomenal coated hooklink material available in 25lb, in green, brown and silt colours.
It strips incredibly well and the matt finish helps it blend in perfectly with the lakebed.
When steamed, the hooklink kicks away from the lead every time, and like most stiff links, is very difficult for the carp to deal with.
Pros
- Fantastic camo colours.
- Anti-tangle hooklink.
Cons
- We would like to see some different breaking strain options.
handcraftbaits.co.uk
Made from the same base mix as The Herb boilies, these wafters are full of flavour and attraction. A deep, rich and red fishmeal bait full of herbs, hence the name.
Available in 15mm or 20mm round baits and 10 x 14mm dumbbells.
Pros
- Superb fishmeal and herb attractors.
- Dark red colour - a known carp favourite.
Cons
- Not as effective in the winter months, use in smaller quantities.
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