Basildon angler Ryan Moles is riding high after netting carp of 22lb and 26lb within an hour of each other at the town's Northlands Park lake.

Moles was fishing the venue for only the third time when he made his big catch.

The first day of his session had produced nothing, although Lee Wilcocks and Tom Butler had taken carp of 18lb, 19lb and 20lb from the adjacent swims.

Moles' turn was to come at 4am the following morning when the 22lb mirror carp picked up his homemade boilie.

After photographing and returning the fish he settled back to reflect upon his capture, only to be rudely disturbed when the 26lb common screamed off with his bait less than 45 minutes after his first run.

Published Wednesday September 15, 2004

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