Well-known specialist Phil Spinks admitted that ‘he’s still pinching himself’ after he banked six roach over the magical 3lb mark in a session that will go down in fishing history.

The Korum and Angling Direct-backed all-rounder landed fish weighing 3lb 12oz, 3lb 10oz, 3lb 8oz 8drm, 3lb 6oz, 3lb 5oz and 3lb 2oz during the historic visit to Homersfield Lake in Suffolk.

In order to avoid the small roach that occupy the privately- owned, 33-acre fishery, the 36-year-old fished groundbait feeders in conjunction with helicopter rigs that he baited with 12mm Sonubaits Code Red boilies.

The biggest fish sets a new personal best for Phil, who’s roach fishing CV makes for impressive reading as he’s now landed 37 fish over the magical 3lb barrier.

“This was the best days fishing of my life…it still hasn’t sunk in yet,” Phil told Angling Times.

“I’ve had some exceptional roach fishing at this stunning venue over the years, but to land six over 3lb in one session is absolutely incredible and to my knowledge the 3lb 12oz and 3lb 10oz is one of the biggest braces of roach ever caught.

“I had loads of fish over the 2lb mark during the same session, but I was unhooking them and slipping the back without even weighing them, which is crazy and just shows you the sheer quality of the roach fishing here ….I still can’t believe I’ve had six fish-of-a-lifetime in one session.”

Homersfield Lake is a private membership water that boasts a large head of carp to over 50lb, tench to 13lb, bream to 16lb, along with the huge roach and it’s a fishery that was also used by fishing legend John Wilson to film some of his iconic shows.

Phil’s catch has also stunned the Symonds family, who run the venue.

“We have so many huge roach caught all of the time, but this is truly in a league of its own. A catch like this is totally unheard of and will probably never be repeated,” said Martin Symmonds.

“It’s a catch that really is a testament to how good an angler Phil is. There aren’t many who could come here for the day and achieve something like this…truly amazing stuff.

“There are anglers that come here and specifically target roach, but many are caught by accident by carpers.

“We’ve had roach to 4lb 4oz caught in the past, which equals the current British Record. I wonder how big they go!”