Derbyshire carper Ed Betteridge has spent the last three years travelling from his home to Oxfordshire stillwater Stoneacres, near Standlake, hoping to catch the huge mirror carp known as ‘Choco’.
After spending around £6,000 on tickets and diesel, doing 188 night sessions on the water and walking around the pit 300 times, he was finally rewarded when he slipped his net under the mirror weighing a mighty 49.12.0.
Over the years, Betteridge has banked most of the large carp that swim in Stoneacres.
He targeted an area around 150 yards out and baited up with 2-3kg of free offerings, taking the big fish on a Vision Baits ocean protein pop-up attached to a size 8 Choddy hook.
Stoneacres is part of the Linch Hill complex.
As far as I know, you can still fish this lake on a day ticket, while the other waters at the complex, Willow and Christchurch, are syndicate only.
If you have any news, views or photos, you can contact me on 01865 725606 or email agw@awebber20.orangehome .co.uk
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