THIRD MONKS PIT FORTY IN FOUR WEEKS!

John Payne is in rip-roaring form on the Monks Pit syndicate at the moment, having extended an imperious run of results with his third 40-pounder in just four weeks!

We are used to seeing so many impressive results on the Cambridgeshire syndicate from DNA anglers, but John is currently taking things to a new level. His latest capture was a classic Monks mirror known as Henry, which tipped the scales at 45lb 14oz, and yet another victim of those magic Bug Corker wafters.

John said: “Arriving on Thursday lunchtime with not many on and nothing showing itself, I opted for a central swim knowing it was going to be warm and hoping I could intercept them as they migrated to and from the shallows.

“A large bed of Bug and Secret 7 boilies laced in BetaStim and Salmon Oil was deposited on two likely areas, then I sat back in the sun very happy with the world.

“Nothing happened for the rest of the day, but on dark they started to show in the area and I went to bed full of anticipation. At 4.30am, I was awoken from my slumber by a very slow take on my middle rod that saw me attached to something that felt very heavy it started plodding about. I got it within netting range with minimal fuss, until it started to behave like a little one, banging its head and going round in circles, but fortunately it went in the net first time of asking! I switched on my headtorch on, peered into the net and saw the width of its back – it knew it was a good ’un!

“On the scales, it went 45lb 14oz and I was left speechless; it was my 12th fish and my third forty in four weeks!

“I messaged the bailiff, as I knew he would be getting up for work soon, and he kindly offered to pop down and do the pictures for me, as he had an idea which one it could be. As soon as he saw it, he said, ‘Yep that’s Henry.’

“The winning combo was a small Bug Corker wafter tipped with a white Bug Half Tones wafter in conjunction with a small bag of Crayfish Maxi Mix pellets threaded down the hooklink.”