Catches over recent seasons suggest that crucian carp are well worth targeting early in spring, but they’re by no means a pushover. Long, biteless hours are a reality of targeting these delicate fish early in the year, however if there’s one man to crack a tricky water, it’s current record holder for the species, Julian Barnes.
He’s just landed this 4lb 3oz fish from a Surrey lake where few had been caught over recent weeks, and admitted himself that the fishing had been difficult. But, by sticking with his trusty method feeder tactics with fake caster hookbaits – the same that tempted his 4lb 12oz record this time last year – he tempted the specimen as well as fish of 3lb 14oz and 3lb 15oz on an earlier trip.Well done Julian!