Old Marston angler Marc Dibsdall had a super day’s piking on the Cherwell by the Victoria Arms pub on the last Wednesday before the end of the river season, writes Andy Webber Marc, who spends most of his time fishing large pits, had been pre-baiting the spot for several weeks with fresh chopped mackerel and herring.

And on the day, he was rewarded with six pike, the best going 23.3.0.

He had to wait until his final cast of the day before the big fish took his one remaining bait, and after a hard scrap, it was netted, weighed and put back.

He used homemade traces with Fox Carbo Flex wire and Fox size six barbless trebles.