In reply to Post #5
The point I was making was that I am not a carp fishermen but was waggler fishing for roach and perch etc. This carp just somehow managed to take an interest in my maggot and off he went. Can't increase hook size as I'd rip the perch and roach in half. I suppose that at some point that purely by luck you may hook a big carp if they fancy a change of eating habit. I was shaking like a leave afterwards. I suppose the carp lads there would have loved that, but to be honest I've seen them losecarp this weekend so perhaps I shouldn't beat myself up about it. Would have lovedto get him in. I was just wondering what I could have done any differently?

In reply to Post #2
How buddy? It was a good foot or so just under the net when the hook pinged out.

Still in shock after today's fishing!! A bit of advice from those lads who Carp fish please. Fished with small waggler and size 18 hook today and as usual pulled out a load of perch and roach. Had a decent size roach and noticed I was missing a few fairly strong bites. Anyway I took a bite which didn't seem much but then all hell broke loose. Rod bent double and it was obvious I had hooked something big. Played it as best I could with line coming off quicker than I could reel in. Managed to get the fish close in and pretty much on top when my son noticed it was a large carp. Carried on for another few minutes or so just missing netting it until the hooked pinged out and it was off. The 18 hook was bent!! What chance did I have of that ever being landed and has anyone else had this experience whilst fishing for anything other than Carp specifically. Could I have done anything different? Appreciate your thoughts and any advice. My lad got a got a good view of it and said it was huge!