If proof were needed that the larger fish in our lakes and ponds are waking up, look no further!

This stunning common carp is a new lake record for Mousehole Lakes in Maidstone, pulling the scales down to an impressive 43lbs.

How this aspect of our sport has progressed when you think a 44lbs common carp caught by Richard Walker held the British record for decades!

With anglers travelling around the globe our perception of size has become a bit jaded, but make no bones about it this fish is a stunner from here in Kent! It has beaten the old lake record by more than four pounds and was landed at 5am in the morning and well worth the rude awakening!

The angler Nathan Caldicott will have a tough act to follow - well done on a super catch.

If you’ve got a catch worth showing off, you can email me at wesleyshrubsole@gmail.com