Catch Reports

Essential Exclusive Stunning Big Fish Trio!

Posted in Catch Reports on 05th April 2008

Long term Essential Bait user Martin Finan has just banked one of the most remarkable trio of big carp ever reported in the UK!! The Glos big fish specialist arrived at his local gravel pit late evening and introduced 3kg of B5 boilies to the margins of an island at 80-yards, but decided not to cast out until first light. The lake hadn’t produced a fish for two months, but within the first couple of hours Martin managed to bank a 27lb 8oz common, shortly followed by this stunning 54lb lake record mirror!!  


On leaving the venue Martin baited up another area of the lake where he’d spotted some fish and returned a couple of days later for an overnighter before work. It wasn’t long before he was into another very big fish, but unfortunately it managed to dislodge the hook on some branch debris. However, the disappointment was short lived as during the early hours of the following morning he managed to bank another whacker, this one going 41lbs exactly! Off to work a happy man!


Just 3-days later Martin was back at the venue again keen to extend his run of big fish. On this occasion he decided to fish towards the opposite end of the lake and at long range between two islands. He baited on dusk with thirty 20mm B5 freebies scattered around each rig and at 6am the following morning he nailed his third big fish from the venue in close succession with this awesome looking 45lb mirror still wearing its full winter coat! Martin also finished off that last trip with a 31lb 10oz mirror!


Martin would like to express his thanks to all the guys on the venue who assisted with the photography and for sharing the moments with him. Mike and the Essential team would like to give special thanks to the management for their support and understanding with the pictures and publicity, which will remain exclusive to this site only.


Carp Life 2

The long awaited follow up to Carp Life is now available. The book contains a massive chapter on bait, as well as Mike's continued journey through life fishing a plethora of different venues home and abroad, including his quest for the iconic Black Mirror, a successful river campaign, his exploits at Frampton and several other high profile UK venues. This highly acclaimed book is not one to miss and is absolutely huge! 

Despite 2 large print runs, Carp Life 1 has completely sold out! Don't miss your chance to pick up a signed copy of Carp Life 2 before it's too late. Please click the following link for more info:

 https://www.facebook.com/Carp-Life-426223497522931/?ref=hl