10lb zander banked after just a few minutes in to session

Mark Simmonds’ zander fishing campaign got off to a flying start when he banked this 10lb 11oz specimen.

The St Neots, Cambs-based rod hooked the fish just a few minutes after casting out a legered mackerel head into the middle of the Great River Ouse.

His free-running rig, consisting of a Drennan wire trace and size 8 trebles, also attracted the attention of an 11lb pike and a 3lb eel.

“I was in two minds whether to fish because the river was still heavily coloured from the recent rains, but thank god that I did,” said Mark.