Huge river trent pike landed

s rivers fine down from flooding, anglers across the country have cashed in on perfect conditions to land specimens of several species – including a 32lb 11oz pike.

That fish provided the only run of a session on the River Trent when Worksop rod Ian Wilson cast out a herring deadbait.

He’s been fishing for predators on the waterway for 40 years, and with the river level falling after recent rains the window of opportunity finally opened.

It was mid-afternoon when the huge fish fell into his trap... one of the biggest authenticated pike ever caught from the Trent.

“I thought it was a big twenty when it slid over the mesh of the landing net, but then it rolled over and I realised its body was more than 1ft deep…a sight I will never forget,” said Ian.

“The river had been in flood for quite some time, so as soon as I noticed the level was dropping and the water had changed from a chocolate brown colour to take on a greyish tinge I knew the predators would be feeding.”

The pike beats his previous personal best of 25lb 11oz, and was beaten on a set-up comprising 65lb braid, a 28lb Drennan wire trace and size 6 trebles.