Kent big carp specialist Daren Norman got an early Christmas present this week with his first ever December 30 pounder – and what a cracker it is too! Here’s Daren’s account, superb angling mate.
‘I’ve been baiting a large southern gravel pit fairly regularly now since the start of November with 4-5 kg of Sticky Vortex 12 and 20 mm baits per week.
The fish can sit out in the middle a lot on this pit so I’ve been playing around with tackle to try and get a bit more distance. Going onto the 12lb ESP Syncro XT and getting some Shimano Techniums has given me a very important extra 20 yds, both are excellent for range. Using my preferred short hinged stiff rigs with size 4 stiff rigger hooks and ghost fluorocarbon booms, all the baiting effort finally paid off.
Doing a work overnighter on a cold December night I finally got the take I’d been hoping for. After a long battle I slipped the net under this beautiful mirror weighing 30lb 8oz. As well as being a bit of a looker it’s also my first December 30 so I’m chuffed to bits with this one and fingers crossed I might be able to nick one or two more over the winter.