Simon Giblin with the Fat Lady weighing 60lb

Simon Giblin catches The Fat Lady at 60lb

By Angling Times

Fish Catches

03 July 2009 09:55

A moment he’d dreamt of for seven years finally became a reality for Simon Giblin when he banked this massive 60lb mirror, known as ‘The Fat Lady’, from St Ives Lagoon. The highly sought-after fish, which had managed to elude the 33-year-old Harlow-based rod’s best efforts for a full seven seasons, finally slipped up during a recent 24-hour session at the Cambs complex.

After seeing the huge specimen cruising around in front of him, Simon
located a clear spot among the weed at 60yds range that he baited with 1.5kg of boilies and 4kg of spod mix.

After positioning two rigs, one with a bottom bait and one with a pop-up, over the top, he only had a couple of hours to wait before receiving the all-important bite that would ultimately spell the end of his long quest.

He told Angling Times: “I waded out up to my waist and slowly started to pump it back in. When the fish kicked on the surface I could see it was her, and my heart started beating so fast I thought it was going to burst out of my chest! She went in the net first time, but I had to double check that it was actually her. I just couldn’t believe that after seven years she was finally mine.”

The business end of his rig consisted of a 15mm Dynamite Baits Red Fish pop-up on a size 6 ESP Stiff Rigger hook and a 20lb ESP Stiff Rig Bristle Filament hooklink.