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The UK’s biggest common carp banked

by Aidan Bordiuk |

Updated on2nd March 2026 at 10.25am

Big carp ace George Benos has gone down in UK carp angling folklore this week after banking the biggest common the country has ever produced — the sensational Waterside Common, which weighed 68lb exactly, falling a mere 1oz short of the current British record.

With the recent change in weather, many of the UK’s carp anglers have been out trying to make the most of the ideal early-season conditions, capitalising on fish beginning to wake from their winter slumber, but few will experience a session as unforgettable as the one George enjoyed.

A moment George will never forget, what a special carp that is!

“Well, what started as a conversation on the banks of Burghfield became a dream come true this week! Whilst talking to my mate Gavin Barrett, who himself no stranger to big carp, I mentioned that I was at a loose end for where to fish this winter. Knowing he had fished the previous winter on Waterside, I asked if I could potentially blag a ticket,” George told us.

“I was fortunate enough to be granted a winter ticket, but despite it starting in November, other commitments meant I wasn’t able to get down to the lake until after Christmas. That first session wasn’t very productive, and the freezing weather saw me bivvy-bound for the majority of my stay!”

“Not one to be defeated, I returned a couple of weeks later and nicked my first bite, which resulted in the Woodcarving Mirror at 35lb 12oz lying on my mat. Happy days!”

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The sheer width of the fish is staggering!

With conditions deteriorating and time not on his side, George didn’t manage many more sessions afterwards. However, this week brought a huge shift in the weather and with mid-double-digit temperatures and low pressure sweeping in, he knew he had to be at the lake. After rearranging his life and responsibilities, George managed to free up some time to capitalise on what he felt were perfect conditions, but it seemed he wasn’t the only one...

"Despite arriving just before first light, there were already nine anglers on the lake and good mate Tom Lorraine was already loading his barrow in the car park," George said.

"I did the right thing and gave Tom first choice of what little was left, but I already had my eye on the only remaining swim, knowing the others were stitched up for the next few days," he added.

"As expected, my first night passed without a fish. Although I didn’t catch, I heard an absolute unit crash out and anyone who knows me will tell you it must have been big for me to even hear it! The second night was much the same and, again, although I didn’t catch, I did see and hear a few."

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All the anglers fishing gathered around to share the moment!

After hearing these fish to his right, George thought he needed to move, and with the swim next door coming free later that day, he felt a move would increase his chances. However, the fish had other ideas and at first light they began showing in front of him and he knew he had to stay put.

“The fish were clearly feeding on my well-spread 18mm Super Cell Boilies. I had been prepping these for weeks, allowing them to absorb the same flavour Smart Liquid, which I repeatedly coat them in until they become lovely, sticky, and white. Deadly, in my opinion,” he divulged.

“I remember that around 10:30am, I saw the big common show twice towards the right of my swim, but most of the shows I’d seen were at least 10–15 yards closer in than where my rods were positioned. So I decided to quickly reposition all three rods, placing them around 20 yards out in a line to try and intercept the fish.”

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As good a carp as you could ever want to catch!

George’s decisiveness was soon rewarded, and within a couple of hours the sound of his bite alarm shattered the anticipation, and he was in. Initially, he thought he was into one of the smaller fish in the lake as it tore around in front of him, that was until the giant, unmistakable golden flank rose to the surface, and the adrenaline began to take over!

“The whole time I was playing it, it was a complete blur, in what felt like the longest few minutes of my life. In all honesty, the whole fight I kept having flashbacks of losing the Burghfield Common, and all the while I was convinced I was going to lose this fish too,” he explained.

“Thankfully, before long the net slipped under its enormous frame, and it was mine. I couldn’t believe it, and when I went to unhook the fish, I needn’t have worried as my size 4 Crank X was never coming out. It was definitely meant to be! What an absolute buzz, and locking eyes with that fish is a moment I will never forget,” George recalled.

“My rig of choice was a simple spinner, tied using a size 4 Crank X with around 8 inches of 25lb Dark Matter hook link. This was fished with a snowman hookbait comprising an 18mm Cell Hard hookbait and a pink, super-buoyant 10/12mm matching pop-up, leadclip style, attached to 10 inches of Dark Matter tubing.”

The moment it began to sink in, what a result!

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