THE Channel Islands and Guernsey carp records were beaten last Tuesday 12th October by a fish weighing 33lb and 12oz – the first carp in the Channel Islands ever to break the magic ‘thirty’ barrier.

Captor Chris Hibbard (pictured above with the fish) was understandably delighted when his Mainline boilie was picked up by the fish – one of an original stocking into a gravel pit from over 20 years ago.

The carp, commons and mirrors, were introduced at only a few ounces and have thrived in the redundant quarry workings known as Les Landes – a water the small Guernsey Freshwater Angling Society managed to buy a few years back after a long term lease from the previous owner.

The 30-year-old was using a Fox Rangemaster 2 and Shimano Baitrunner setup with 12lb mainline in a what is small and very challenging water.

Chris, who is a long-term visitor to the islands and hails from the Portsmouth area, has only been a member of the club for a few months but struck lucky on the hard-fished water as dusk fell.

Rob Foss, the club’s Treasurer, stated that he was ‘delighted to see the thirty pound barrier broken in the Channel Islands… and especially in Guernsey! 

“It is a wonderful fish – but it’s not the one I expected to be the first to break through the 30lb barrier,” he said.

“I saw a very large common carp which would be of a similar size in the water earlier this year, and the presence of two big fish in this water is great news. 

“Les Landes has previously held the Islands record at 24 and then 28lb both fish being caught in the last couple of years,” he added. “It must be a wonderful environment for the bigger carp for them to be growing as well as this, and we’re grateful to the work of the Fisheries Officer Mark Ogier for all his hard work. This fish is a tribute to his labours as much as it is to Chris for landing it.”

The picture was taken by committee member Paul Berryman, who witnessed the capture and said that Chris was ‘absolutely delighted!

“This is his first ever thirty, having come close on several other occasions, and to be the first to land such a fish from these islands as well as it being a personal milestone made it a really wonderful capture,” said Paul.

Graham Carver, from the Jersey Freshwater Angling Club conveyed his delight for the Islands and for Chris.

“It’s a historic fish for the islands, and we wish Chris our heartiest congratulations,” said the highly accomplished match and specimen angler.