what size a specimen

[pell]

at what weight does a fish become a specimen size i.e does it have to be 75 or 50 % of the current record for that species.

Depends where the fish is caught.

For example my friend Matt Brown has recently caught a 10lb barbel from the Yorkshire Don which is an exceptional specimen for that river. But a similar sized barbel from say the Ouse or the Trent would raise few eyebrows.

[pell]

the reason for this question is the membership on my local club water in essex have voted to turn the large lake to a specimen water for all species by removing small sized fish and regular feeding.the argument now is what size does each species have to be to achieve this target.

Pell, if your club consult the local records, they should be able to find out what size the record weights are, the you can work out the "specimen" sizes. It's just a way to try and make a few bob though, and could backfire on them!!