Angler banks three 200lb-plus catfish in one session

BRIAN Hammond has become the first angler to bank three catfish over the 200lb barrier in a single session.

The Bristol-based rod was left exhausted after he hauled in fish of 223lb, 211lb and 203lb from the River Ebro in Spain in less than 18-hours.

Having caught specimens to 186lb on past trips he was determined to increase his personal best, and it didn’t take long - with the 211lb cat falling for his large halibut pellet on the first night.

The biggest fish of the trip came the following evening, before the smallest of the trio concluded what Brian could only describe as ‘a mindblowing experience’.

“Other anglers on the river were piling in the bait while we fed fairly lightly and I think that is what tempted the biggest catfish into our swim,” he explained.

Fishing guide and close friend Jason Toye was on hand to experience the catch and despite spending eight years working on the waterway, he admits the haul even surpassed his high expectations.

“I’ve never seen anything come close to this. It’s a phenomenal achievement and I don’t think anyone will ever catch a trio of 200lb-plus fish in such a short space of time again.”