I caught this 28lb carp on my first French fishing holiday with my Mum and Dad.

Mum had been showing me how to cast and catapult my bait for a few days and I was keen to try it myself.  I left the lodge early while Mum and Dad were still eating breakfast and made my way back to our swim.  I picked up my rod, checked all was ok and cast to a spot where I’d been previously trying to fish. I set my rod down and fired about 10 boilies over the top, and my rod went off!!

I grabbed my rod and started playing the fish in and realised I was still on my own. I carefully reached for my Mum’s net (which was big and awkward to hold) and managed to net my carp. I couldn’t lift the net out of the water on my own but luckily I could hear everyone coming back. Mum and Dad’s faces were a picture when they saw me standing there!!

They helped me get the fish into the weigh sling and I’d caught a 28lb mirror! My PB!! My parents were gobsmacked. After putting the fish back, I immediately re-cast to the same spot and 5 minutes later it went off again, I caught a 26lb carp. Fantastic week’s fishing, and I’m hoping to be well enough to go again next year!