To carper's quest for a winter 40 gets ever closer - and then some.

Top carp angler and Total Carp regular Ian Chillcott has been putting in the hours to catch himself a winter 40 over the last few months – and with this 39 he got himself as close as your can get.

Chilly’s target water is Cemex’s West Hampnett, where a recent three-night session gave him the 39 pounder, as well as a string of other specimens.

“The first night gave me mirrors of 20lb and 28lb 14oz, but then I had nothing on the second night at all,” said Chilly. “I look around in the early morning of the third day prompted a move, and after setting up in a new swim by midday I had a 10lb common on the bank by 3pm, and then not long after the bigger fish came along.”

Presenting a New Grange pop-up over a bed of New Grange mixed pellets, the lump fell for a stiff rig setup tied with 30lb Fox Illusion to a size 5 Arma Point SR hook. A rig that also fooled plenty more fish during the trip.

“When I got the 39 in the net I had another run from a 27lb 4oz common and then another from a fish that I lost,” Chilly continued. “Once I got sorted I had yet another run which turned out to be a 26lb 8oz mirror.

"Through the last night it was very quiet, but just before dawn I had three fish of 22lb 2oz, 23lb and 23lb 4oz. So not a bed session.”


NEWS JUST IN!

Congratulations to Chilly who we have just heard landed a low 40lb mirror from West Hampnett. You can see the pictures and read Ian's account of one of his best runs of winter form exclusively in the April issue of TC’s sister magazine Advanced Carp Fishing, on sale March 12th.