The Surrey specialist was targeting a local club lake, where he lightly fed a mixture of particles, chopped worm and maggots. Over the top, he fished three rods using the ever-popular ‘worm kebab’ hookbait. He told us “A few hours after starting I had a take on my middle rod, and lifted into a steady, heavy fish that hugged the bottom throughout the fight. I managed to turn it eventually, and once in the net, I took one look at it and realised just how massive it was across the shoulders, not to mention its depth. It measured 26ins long and is a specimen I’ve sought after for some time.”

At 12lb 1oz, the fish sets a new PB for Alan, and left him in a bit of a daze, but he was back in dreamland again before too long. “I landed a few extra tench in the 4lb-8lb bracket that day, before an early morning bite which resulted in another enormous tench, this time weighing 11lb 1oz. I was completely blown away top catch such an incredible brace!”

Well done Alan!