AN EAST Lancashire teenager angler had nothing to carp about after reeling in a massive catch.

Tom Nixon-Taylor, 13, landed a 37lb common carp on a fishing holiday in France - one of the largest ever brought in on a rod.

The monster was caught on a boilie - a ball of fish bait - at Watersmeet Fishery in France, where Tom hauled in a total of 17 fish, three over 30lbs and the majority weighing more than 20lbs.

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The Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School pupil, of Glencarron Close, Hoddlesden, was only introduced to the sport six years ago - and was last in the Lancashire Telegraph in 2013 when he hooked a16lb carp at Newrad Fisheries in Watery Lane, Darwen - half the size of his latest catch.

Dad Justin said: “He always wants to catch something bigger and he wanted to go abroad.

“We weren’t going to book it for a couple of years but he finally convinced us to go and we gave in to him.

“He caught the fish on the first day we were there. It probably took him 20 minutes to bring it in.

“He was taking his time because he didn’t want it to snap off. He has a little pouch with antiseptic so he can put it round the mouth to make sure the fish is OK.”

Watersmeet is situated in north west France, in the Mayenne region, around one and a half hours’ drive from the port of Caen.

The lake was first stocked in 2004 with just under a ton of carp averaging 25lb and has had fish added five times since but even the owners admit that, while it holds numerous carp around 20lbs and a few 30 pounders, there are probably only two around the 40lb mark - making Tom’s haul even the more remarkable.

Justin said the teenager had got the bug and is planning his next trip.

He said: “We are thinking of going out sea fishing from Puerto Banus .”