Angler Name: Trevor Vann

Hometown: Maidenhead

Fish Weight: 15lb

Bait: Octopus Baits Lemon Sherbert

Venue: Pondwood fisheries

Rig: Critically balanced pop up spinner barbless size four

Tactics: Single cast to showing fish

Additional Info: This was a small fish but a big reward. With just two anglers on this small but lovely lake, the day session on one of 2025’s coldest days saw us approaching a blank. With all kit bar rods and carp care kit packed away we were at last knockings when the remaining anglers had just left, a fish raised its head enough to cause a ripple. Casting accurately without being clipped up is a work in progress for me but the rig landed just shy of where it needed to be. With the clutch set super loose the rod was laid on the ground and I packed up the chairs.. I then heard the slow clicking sound and looked to see the reel letting line go, and I was into the only fish of the day for the whole lake. We went home with a stinking and soaking wet net and freezing hands but happier for the catch because we made it happen!