A CARP angler has been found guilty in court of sneaking out extra rods – SIX at once.
Carp angler Ryan Hughes was apprehended at Pavyotts Mill in Somerset with two more rods in the water than the Environment Agency legal limit.
The prolific day ticket fishery has swims where carp anglers can use huts – available for £150 for 48 hours.
Fishery regular Hughes, of Newport, South Wales was fined £440 at Yeovil Magistrates for fishing with an unlicensed instrument and fishing with more than four rods. Hughes was convicted in his absence.
In addition costs of £170 and a victim surcharge of £30 were imposed, making a total penalty of £640.
Carp angler Ryan Hughes was caught using six rods.
Martin Salter, campaigns manager at the Angling Trust, commented: “I’ve never heard of anyone caught fishing with six rods before. It is highly unusual, possibly unique.
“I’ve heard of anglers being fined for having an extra rod or two more than that is covered with a standard two rod licence, but never heard of six.”
EA spokesman Richard Dearnley said: “Rod licence cheats risk a criminal conviction, a significant fine and could lose their fishing equipment.”
As Angler’s Mail revealed, the EA totally revamped the rod licence system from April 1 this year.
A three-rod option is now available which has proved popular with carp anglers.
Big fish fans can still buy two rod licences to cover themselves for four rods.
Other changes include a free licence for 12-15-year-olds and all licences now running for a year from date bought.
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Full story on this development is only in Angler’s Mail print magazine, out now (the front cover is pictured below).
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