Gloucester Park regular Ian Pike enjoyed a tremendous day's fishing, landing more than 20 carp on surface-fished dog biscuits.

His catch included numerous double-figure fish, with pal Tony Mitchell adding a further 10 carp to their total at the Basildon lake.

The duo fished the Eastern end of the cockle bank where they used loose fed mixers encouraging the carp to feed on the top early in the morning.

Sid Marsh also took advantage of the excellent sport at the venue landing 14 carp.

The majority of Marsh's fish, including specimens of 12lbs, 13lbs, and 16lbs, also fell to dog biscuit baits.

But his biggest fish, a new personal best carp of 18lb, was tempted by a homemade boilie fished in the near margins.

Carl Jordan also took a personal best 19lb common carp from the cockle bank.

Jordan, who fished homemade boilies cast tight to the island, also included carp of 14lb 8oz and 12lb in his excellent haul.

Gary Davis will never know the exact weight of the big carp he landed at Gloucester Park, but there is no doubt that it was his biggest fish ever. Davis was fishing the incoming sluice area with sons Gary junior and Martyn when the big fish picked up his float fished sweetcorn bait.

The carp made numerous strong runs but Gary's light line and size 18 hook survived the battle, and 15 minutes later the big carp was in the net.

Published Wednesday August 18, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo