76lb catfish taken on 8lb line

Tony Sterry endured an hour-long battle with this 76lb catfish after hooking it while floatfishing luncheon meat for carp at Darenth Lakes in Kent.

The Dartford-based rod latched into the monster on his last cast of the day, having already caught an array of different, much smaller species on his session, where he was using just 8lb line and a size 8 hook.

“When it first surfaced I shouted to one of the locals to help me net it as I knew I had no chance on my own! I’d never caught a catfish before and I doubt I’ll break this personal best for a while,” he said.