News

36-4-0 carp is new lake best.
Stephen Charlesworth has set a new complex record, at the popular Cherry Lakes in Gloucestershire, after banking a 36-4-0 common carp.

Complex owner, Mike Kirsch takes up the story: "Whilst enjoying some good ‘west country cider’ in the village pub, I got a call from Stephen saying he had caught a ‘good one’.”How big” I asked? . ”Not sure, but it is bloody heavy” said Stephen. Needless to say my drink was downed very quickly and I returned to the lake to help Stephen weigh the fish and photograph it.

As you can see from the photo above this fantastic common carp was in tip-top condition and looks sparkling in her winter colours. Stephen caught her from the near channel in nine feet of water on a snowman rig. The successful bait was The Cell tipped with a Pink pop-up. After a few initial bleeps she gave Stephen a slow but steady take and fought steadily rather than dramatically on the way to the net. A typical fight from big winter carp in my experience.

I have to say I think Stephen really deserves this fish. Not only was he the only angler on the Lake and  brave enough to venture out, but he did so even though he blanked last time out under much more favorable conditions. I asked him why does he drives all the way down from Castleford in Yorkshire. His answer was concise….’because I like the set up here and Cherry Lake has some cracking Carp in it’. Enough said!

This is the second winter 30+ out this week. A great result given we have only had two anglers on this week and both parties have caught thirties!

Since May, this carp has put on over 6lb in weight. As reported before the carp in Cherry Lake have responded well to the on-going feeding programme this year as well as the influx of anglers baits.

It certainly makes you wonder how big some of the carp are now. I am confident that there are at least three carp which if caught would push the Cherry Lake record even higher. I don’t think we will break the 40+ barrier this winter………but you never know?"

For more information on Cherry Lakes, log on to: www.cherrylakes.co.uk