ANGLING: Massive Thames pike goes 29.1.0 (From Oxford Mail)

ANGLING: Massive Thames pike goes 29.1.0

10:00am Saturday 16th March 2013 in Sport

BIG pike specialist Marc Dibsdall, from Marston, has added another magnificent specimen to his CV in the shape of a 29lb 1.0oz fish – his best from a river.

Dibsdall, who had a 33.3.0 fish from Linch Hill last year, came within a few ounces of joining an exclusive club of those who have caught 30lb fish from both stillwaters and rivers. But it was hard graft.

He reports: “It came after a hell of a lot of walking, a lot of of crayfish, a lot of blanks and a lot of questioning my sanity!

“I found one spot holding a lot of low doubles, so I turned my focus to that.

“I continued my bombardment of pre-baiting, three times a week and my luck changed. “I started at around 2pm, and after a quite spell and no bites, I decide to move a swim down, dropping my bait under a tree.

“Within seconds, it was taken, but after a few minutes the fish came off – I was gutted!

“I nearly packed up, especially after getting caught in the tree on my second cast and snapping off, but hoping the big fish was still about, I set up again.

“Within minutes, the float disappeared into the depths, and over the next ten minutes there was a epic struggle before I netted her.”

He telephoned his brother, Luke, who also has a stillwater 30-pounder to his credit, and he took the pictures before the fish was returned.

Marc used a Drennan slider float, with Titanium trace wire, Esox trebles, and a popped-up roach injected with mackerel oil.