83lb cod heralds start of fishing season

The Norwegian cod fishing season got off to one of the best starts on record after a spate of huge fish were landed within days of opening - including this whopping 83lb specimen.

The giant fish was landed by European angler Peter Fors from the Northern resort of Soroya and follows the capture of 80 other fish weighing over the 40lb-barrier by visiting anglers.

Peter used a 40cm Big Bob lure to fool the huge specimen which is still some way short of last year’s world record 104lb fish, banked by German angler Michael Eisele also off the coast of Soroya.

 Paul Stevens from Sportquest Holidays, a UK-based firm who organise fishing trips to Norway said: “These huge Skrej cod are found mid-water above the shoals of smaller cod picking off the weak and injured fish. They only come here in March and April to breed and it is during this period that they provide anglers with the opportunities to catch fish of a lifetime.”

Anyone interested in travelling to Norway and catching cod should visit: www.sportquestholidays.com or call: 01603 407596