Monster cod rocks record

This is an image of the biggest cod ever caught by a UK angler.

The enormous predator, weighing a colossal 90lb 6oz, was taken by Merseyside angler Bert Williams during a trip to Norway’s renowned cod fishing hotspot Soroya.

Bert bagged his prize during a guided trip by UK-based firm Sportsquest. He was fishing in 80ft of water with a 30lb class rod and a 1ft long, 730 gram Westin Big Bob Lure tied to 60lb braided line.

The fish was just one of a number of giants boated by Bert and other anglers during an explosive week in Soroya that also saw an 83lb 12oz specimen landed by Sportsquest guide Paul Stevens. Paul’s fish temporarily held the record for the biggest cod to be caught by a UK angler before Bert bagged his prize just 24 hours later.

Paul (39) from Norfolk told Angling Times: “I’ve been guiding for many years in Norway but this has been the best week we have ever had for quality fish. We’ve had 14 cod over 60lb alone and hordes of smaller fish. Most anglershave broken their personal bests - it’s just been crazy! Hooking cod this big on lures is a feeling you just have to experience at some time in your life. It’s incredible when the fishing is this good.”

The current International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) World cod record is 103lb 10oz, a fish caught by German angler Michael Eisele back in April 2013, but Paul believes this target could be surpassed before too long.

Paul said: “I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest to see the world record smashed at some point in the next couple of weeks with the fishing going so well. The conditions are absolutely perfect for it!”