World record carp? Euro-Aqua reports 49.5 kg / 109 lb common carp

109 lb. Around 49.5 kg. A common carp from Euro-Aqua in Hungary.

Euro-Aqua reports one of the most spectacular common-carp captures of recent years: Richard Ince from England caught a common carp on 13 May 2026 that is being discussed across the international carp scene as a new milestone.

The important point is the clean classification: this capture is not an automatically recognised IGFA All-Tackle world record. For carp anglers across Europe it is still exceptional — because common carp of this weight class are extremely rare and Euro-Aqua has been one of Europe’s best-known big-carp venues for years.

What makes this fish so special? Why are common carp and mirror carp often discussed separately in record debates? And what does a carp of almost 50 kg mean for modern big-fish tackle, safe rigs and proper fish handling?

The capture in the official video

Euro-Aqua shows the common carp directly in the video. The clip makes the sheer mass of the fish visible and documents the capture at the venue where it was reported: Euro-Aqua in Hungary.

109 lb / 49.5 kg – why this common carp is so special

In carp fishing, common carp and mirror carp are often treated separately in record discussions. Biologically, both belong to the species Cyprinus carpio, but they differ in scale pattern, breeding history and the way many international record lists discuss them.

The newly reported fish is so significant because it pushes the common-carp mark clearly beyond the previous 47.80 kg capture. That previous benchmark was attributed to David Knock from England, who caught a common carp of 105.4 lb / 47.80 kg at Euro-Aqua in May 2025.

At the same time, the wording needs to stay accurate: this is a reported record, or an unofficial record within the carp scene. For carp anglers in Europe, the capture remains highly relevant. A common carp just below the 50 kg mark shows what modern big-carp venues, consistent fishery management and professional handling can achieve today.

Record timeline: Euro-Aqua has been making carp history since 2012

The reported 49.5 kg common carp is not a random one-off from an unknown lake. Euro-Aqua has been linked with extremely heavy carp for years. Important: not every historic report involved a common carp. Some of the biggest fish were mirror carp.

Year	Angler	Country	Weight	Classification
2012	Roman Hanke	Austria	approx. 45.93 kg / 101¼ lb	Historic 100 lb+ capture at Euro-Aqua. Important: mirror carp, not common carp.
2015	Tomáš Krist	Czech Republic	approx. 48.00 kg / 105 lb 13 oz	Another extreme Euro-Aqua record fish.
2017	Marco / Marc Eichner-Weisner	Austria	49 kg / approx. 108 lb	A heavily discussed Euro-Aqua world-record fish at the time.
2018	Michel Schoenmakers	Netherlands	51.20 kg / over 112 lb	Overall milestone: the first carp over 50 kg from Euro-Aqua.
Sept. 2024	Kacper Stępień	Poland	approx. 47.4 kg / 104.5 lb	Large common carp from Euro-Aqua, discussed in the scene as a common-carp record candidate.
May 2025	David Knock	England	105.4 lb / 47.80 kg	Previous heavily discussed common-carp benchmark.
13 May 2026	Richard Ince	England	109 lb / around 49.5 kg	New reported common-carp milestone from Euro-Aqua.

For Austria, this story is especially interesting: Roman Hanke from Austria was already part of Euro-Aqua’s major record history back in 2012. There is also the geographical connection: the venue is located in western Hungary and is much closer to Austria than many well-known big-fish destinations in France or England.

What is Euro-Aqua?

Euro-Aqua is located in Hungary, in the Balatonederics/Nemesvita area near Lake Balaton. In the international carp scene, the venue is regarded as one of Europe’s best-known big-carp waters.

Euro-Aqua is not a normal club water and not a freely accessible public lake. It is a strictly managed big-fish venue with clear rules, its own bait concept, fish-care requirements and bailiff support for very large carp.

That combination of stock, management, feeding, fish protection and controlled access is what makes the venue so well known for record reports. For journalistic classification, however, one point matters: a private big-fish venue is evaluated differently from a freely accessible natural water.

Why are so many record carp caught at Euro-Aqua?

1. Consistent fishery management

With carp of this size, luck is not the only factor. Stock, feeding, protection, handling and a system that keeps big fish in the venue for many years all matter. Euro-Aqua is built around exactly that.

2. Big-carp genetics and body shape

Many well-known Euro-Aqua fish show a massive body shape: broad shoulders, a high back line, large flanks and huge energy reserves. This body shape is crucial in extremely heavy carp.

3. Strict rules for tackle and fish care

With fish beyond 40 kg, standard gear is not enough. Venues like this need clear rules for main line, hooks, lead systems, rigs, landing nets, unhooking mats, weigh slings and how fish are handled in the water.

Fishing Euro-Aqua – what matters on big-fish venues

Anyone fishing a venue with carp in this weight class cannot simply fish “any old way”. Every mistake with the rig, line, hook or handling can have serious consequences.

• Main line: strong, abrasion-resistant monofilament instead of overly thin distance lines.
• Hooks: strong, sharp hooks with secure hook holds and the most fish-friendly shape possible.
• Lead system: safe systems where the fish is not left trailing a fixed lead if something goes wrong.
• Rig: cleanly tied, not too short, not too aggressive and matched to the lakebed.
• Landing net: a large carp landing net with strong arms and a deep enough mesh.
• Unhooking mat and weigh sling: large enough for fish over 30, 40 or even 50 kg.
• Handling: keep the fish out of the water for as little time as possible, work prepared and get help with very large fish.

What does this capture mean for carp anglers?

A common carp of almost 50 kg is not just a number. It shows how far modern carp fishing, fishery management and big-fish tackle have come. With fish like this, clean rigs, safe lead systems, strong hooks, reliable line, suitable rods and proper fish handling all matter.

The capture also shows why big carp are not only about “strong gear”. The complete setup matters: rod, reel, line, hooklink, hook, lead system, landing net, unhooking mat and weigh sling all need to work together.

Our guide to carp bait explains which baits make sense for big fish. Handling matters just as much at this level: suitable carp landing nets, unhooking mats, slings and scales are not minor details.

Carp Austria angle: from record fish to the right setup

The question around a carp of almost 50 kg is not only: “How big was the fish?” The better question is: What does my setup need to cope with if an exceptional fish really picks up the bait?

• Which carp rod has enough backbone without becoming too brutal during the fight?
• Which reel works smoothly under pressure?
• Which line can handle pressure, snags, distance and long fights?
• Which hook pattern holds securely without causing unnecessary damage?
• Which lead systems are genuinely safe on big-fish venues?
• Which unhooking mat, weigh sling and scales are suitable for very large carp?

At Carp Austria you do not get these answers from an anonymous online shop, but directly from people who develop, test and use the products on the bank. That is what makes a fishing trade fair so valuable for carp anglers.

On the exhibitor list you will find brands for rods, reels, lines, rigs, landing nets and big-fish equipment. More catch reports and record fish are available in the Carp Austria fishing magazine.

How to classify the record capture

The reported 109 lb common carp from Euro-Aqua is attracting major international attention. The venue reports the capture as a new common-carp record and continues its own record history in impressive fashion.

The timing is especially remarkable: only in May 2025, a common carp of 105.4 lb / 47.80 kg was caught at Euro-Aqua. The new capture from 13 May 2026 raises the bar in the common-carp category once again.

Because Euro-Aqua is a privately managed big-fish venue, the capture is mainly classified as a new milestone within the international carp scene. For carp anglers, the report remains exceptional: a common carp of this size shows what modern big-carp waters and consistent fishery management can achieve.