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Burton’s Big Carp Haul: Ian Burton’s 105lb Monster from Euro Aqua
Carp Social | Feature Date: 14th December 2019
Record-Breaking Carp Fishing Holiday in Hungary: Ian Burton’s Incredible Euro Aqua Haul
If you haven’t heard about Ian Burton’s incredible carp haul from Euro Aqua, then you’ve probably been living under a rock in the carp fishing world.
Carp Social caught up with Ian during his earlier carp fishing holiday to the famous Hungarian venue in May, where he had already enjoyed a highly productive session. However, nothing could have prepared him — or the wider carp scene — for what was to come during his November return.
A Last-Minute Change of Plans
Ian’s record-breaking trip nearly didn’t happen at all.
“To think I very nearly didn’t go because my friend who I was going with told me the night before we was due to leave that he couldn’t go due to family related issues. This left me with a massive problem because you can only fish in pairs and no way was I going to be able to get someone else at such short notice.”
With travel already planned and the pressure on, Ian made a last-minute call to Euro Aqua.
“I rang Jacqueline at Euro Aqua and told her my problem and her boyfriend Michel Schumacher, the current world record holder, agreed to fish with me.”
From there, Ian set off alone from Dover, undertaking a demanding 20+ hour drive to Hungary towing a trailer on his own.
10 Nights, 71 Carp and a Session of a Lifetime
Over the course of 10 nights, Ian experienced one of the most prolific big-carp sessions ever recorded by a UK angler.
His total catch included:
- 2 doubles
- 7 twenties
- 14 thirties
- 24 forties
- 9 fifties
- 7 sixties (up to 68lb)
- 4 seventies (up to 79lb)
- 2 eighties (82lb 12oz PB common & 87lb)
- 1 x 91lb
- 1 x 105lb 14oz mirror carp (new PB)
The session culminated in a 105lb 14oz mirror carp — a fish that would go on to become the biggest carp ever landed by a UK angler at the time.
The 105lb Capture
The capture itself was far from straightforward.
Ian described how the 105lb carp was the only fish during the trip to give a proper “one-toner,” with most other takes being extremely subtle.
“The 105lb fish was extremely hard fighting and not just a heavy lump. We had at least a 5 minute stand off trying to hold it from getting into a snag that was in the water at roughly 90 yards distance from the swim.”
After a tense battle lasting around 20 minutes, the fish finally slipped into the net.
“I knew what fish it was when it rolled about 30 yards out from the swim because Michel was standing with me waiting to net it. The scales towards the wrist of its tail are very distinctive.”
Big Carp, Big Baiting & Dream Big!
Ian’s approach was equally intense off the rods as it was on them.
Over the 10-night session he went through:
- 500kg of hemp
- 50kg of boilies
Using heavy baiting tactics, Ian targeted the lake’s huge stock of carp, combining volume baiting with precision rig placement.
Tackle and Rigs for Carp Fishing in Hungary
The 105lb mirror carp fell to a Mainline Baits Diamond White pop-up presented on a Ronnie Rig, a setup that also accounted for several of his other big carp during the trip.
Across the session, Ian alternated between Diamond White and Essential Cell pop-ups, continuing to refine his presentation as the trip developed.
Breaking Boundaries
At the start of the year, Ian’s personal best stood at 87lb 4oz. Over the course of the season, he repeatedly pushed that boundary higher and higher.
“I’ve broke my PB four times this year from a variety of venues including fish of 88lb 12oz, 89lb, 91lb then 105lb 14oz.”
From start to finish, Burton’s Euro Aqua campaign stands as one of the most remarkable big carp sessions ever recorded by a UK angler — and a story that has firmly cemented itself in modern carp fishing history.
Compiled by Carp Social | December 2019
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