A British angler may have set a new world tench record while fishing for big carp on a lake close to the Le Mans car racing circuit. 

Jason Gardiner banked the 15lb 4oz fish at Laroussi, a French gravel pit in the heart of the beautiful Pays de la Loire countryside that burst onto the big carp scene in 2005. The pit is over 30 years old and has produced many 50lb plus carp.

The mighty tench was part of a 52 fish catch taken between Jason and his fishing pal who was sharing the swim with him.
The British record tench is a fish of 16lb 3oz 6dr, by Darren Ward from Sheepwalk big pit in Middlesex in 2001.

The reason it’s thought that Jason’s fish could be a potential world record is that the IGFA best for the species is only just over 10lb, although it’s not clear whether Jason is interested in making an IGFA world record claim.

The venue run through Angling Lines is close to Le Mans, famous for the legendary 24-hour motor racing circuit, and is within a three hour drive from the ferry at Caen.