Mark’s Baulking Lakes Session: 39lb 8oz Lake Record

Mark’s Baulking Lakes Session: 39lb 8oz Lake Record

Baulking, boilies, and a banger — a foggy start turned into an action-packed session: 8 carp landed, topped by a 39lb 8oz mirror (new lake record).

🎥 Watch Mark’s Tip Video: 

Tactics That Delivered

• Nut 365 Range  as the backbone: pop-ups (Ronnie), boilies for feed, glug for attraction

• Betalin Wafters  on long fluorocarbon D-rigs for balanced, subtle presentation

• Every hookbait & freebie boosted with Infamous Betalin

• Bait-and-wait strategy turned a quiet start into consistent action

Results: 10 bites, 8 landed (incl. 31lb 6oz common & 39lb 8oz mirror)

Read Mark’s Full Session Story

Baulking, boilies and a banger is the only way I can summarise my latest trip with Steve Clarke.

At 5am on Tuesday morning I picked up Steve, his bivvy, bedchair and camera equipment and we headed off to Baulking Lakes near Faringdon for a 36-hour session.

Anticipation was high and we arrived at the lake just as the light was breaking, but we couldn’t see across the 20 acres of water due to the 4°C temperatures and heavy fog.

Our confidence was still high as a lap of the lake revealed a few valuable clues to the whereabouts of our quarry. Kit was organised, rods were readied, and bait was prepared — centred around the Nut 365 Range and, of course, Infamous Betalin (liquid gold), with a few drops added to both the feed and hookbaits.

Although we were confident of avoiding a blank, we didn’t expect what was to unfold. It took around four hours to get the first fish on the bank, but our bait-and-wait approach unlocked the code and set up a great session — all on camera!

Unfortunately, I had to cut our booking short due to being called back into the office, but even leaving early we’d had an incredible trip: great food, plenty of cuppas, and fish-o-plenty.

We ended with ten bites and eight carp landed:

• 31lb 6oz Common

• Mirrors of 16lb 7oz, 18lb 13oz, 23lb 3oz, 28lb 5oz, 29lb 4oz, 29lb 8oz

• A 39lb 8oz Mirror — a new Embryo Baulking Lakes record

We fished with Ronnie rigs for the Nut 365 Pop-Ups, and long fluorocarbon D-rigs with Betalin Wafters. All hookbaits and free offerings were finished with a final coating of Infamous Betalin before casting — an awesome addition as the water temperature drops.

The carp in this 20-acre lake are both immaculate and plentiful, with a careful stocking of over 580 fish. If you’re looking for a venue for a lake exclusive or a social for 3 or more anglers, Baulking Lakes is ideal. Bookings are Monday–Friday or Friday–Monday, and with 14 swims and a maximum of 10 anglers, you always have plenty of options. The lake is well-maintained, the bailiffs are welcoming, and they really know the latest form — always willing to help.