“Knowing bite times are so short on the venue, Paul quickly got the rod back out on the spot”
After three winters in a hard, low stock gravel pit, Oxford angler Paul Scowen’s efforts paid off as he landed this sublime roach, weighing 3lb 15oz.
Targeting an area of the lake 55 yards out, Paul fished a maggot feeder helicopter-style which he filled with dark groundbait and maggots. With such a low stock on the pit, Paul knew that when he got a bite, it’d be a big fish. This was proven when his bobbin tightened to his alarm then jerkily dropped to the floor.
He connected with what was clearly a good fish that fought strongly, reaching the rim of the net three times before boring down over the marginal shelf. Thankfully, his size 18 hook held, and he eventually slipped the specimen into the net. Knowing bite times are so short on the venue, Paul quickly got the rod back out on the spot. Just as he packed away, the bobbin unexpectedly pulled tight to the buzzer, but picking up the rod the only resistance he felt was the feeder. Although, with a roach in the net weighing a hair under 4lb, he admits it was hard to feel disappointed.
Well done Paul!