Chichester boy catches record carp in West Sussex lake

Riley is an 11-year-old boy from West Sussex who’s had a passion for fishing since the age of four. On the weekend at Lakeside in Chichester, he was able to catch a record for the Chichester lake, with a mirror carp weighing a staggering 46.8 lbs.

His dad, Bobby Watman said: “I used to be a trawlerman on the boats and Riley used to come to sea with me. I don’t do that anymore but we took up carp fishing instead. That’s where his interest in fishing came from.

“He’s enjoying himself and he was able to get the lake record out, which some people have been chasing for seven years, so he’s done very well. I’m really proud of him. I reckon it’ll be hard for him to beat that for a while. I think the realism of him catching that fish only really sunk into him yesterday, he’s been on such a high!”

Riley said: “I get loads of enjoyment fishing, it gives something good to do and it’s great fun. It was really hard getting that carp out on the weekend. It took 25 minutes to reel it in and get it out, but I’m really happy.”

Riley also started his own bait business just seven months ago called ‘Rileys’. His dad said that people have been going ‘crazy’ for the products and added: “It’s going well for him, he’s making bait all the time and getting really positive feedback.” You can find his products on Facebook and Instagram.