Jeremy Clark completes Norfolk Broads network with 24lb pike
Jeremy Clark has marked the silver anniversary of his Norfolk Broads pike fishing career by bagging this superb 24lb specimen from the only Broad that had failed to deliver a 20-pounder for him over the past 25 years.
Using his own boat Jeremy, 52, eventually struck lucky after 12 trips to the difficult water – one of the five Trinity Broads comprising Lily, Rollesby, Filby, Eels Foot and Sportsmans – had only yielded fish up to 13lb.
'I was convinced however that bigger fish were present so once again I set out with optimism. Moving from swim to swim the normal early fish failed to materialise but I remained confident, given the mild and windy conditions after the recent cold spell I was convinced at some stage the fish if I could find them would feed.
'In my sixth swim at last I had a small pike of just 2lb on an eel section and that boosted my confidence, prompting me to stay a bit longer in that particular swim. At 12.45pm my floatfished mackerel was taken and straight away I knew at last I was connected to the size of fish I was hoping for.
'The fish fought doggedly near the boat and at the second attempt at netting her, I knew I had caught my target fish.
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'She weighed 24lb exactly and was in super condition, her fat belly covered in leeches – a sure sign she had been laying up in the recent cold weather and had now been spurred on in the mild weather to feed again.
Jeremy, an accountant from Wacton near Long Stratton, is delighted to have a full set of 20-pounders from the Broads network now.
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'Some of the Broads I have caught them from are private (fished with permission I should say) so I can't name those but I have caught 20-pounders from River Thurne, River Bure, Horsey Mere, Hickling Broad, Heigham Sounds, Martham Broad, Duck Broad, Decoy Broad and the Trinity Broads.
'My biggest pike remains at 29lb 10oz caught from the River Thurne a few seasons ago so I now I intend to make the most of the last weeks of the season to see if I can catch a magical 30-pounder,' said Jeremy, who is hoping to try his luck on the opening day of former British record venue Horsey Mere tomorrow (Thursday).
