One of the biggest braces of zander ever recorded
LANDSCAPE Gardener Matthew Ward was left stunned when he banked one of the biggest braces of zander ever recorded in the UK.
The 35-year-old recorded specimens of 11lb 9oz and 17lb 9oz during a trip to Upton-on-Severn and both obliterated his previous personal best of around 6lb.
He said: “The larger zander gave me quite a strange bite – initially I just tightened up to my float, thought ‘this feels a bit heavy’, and I was into the fish.
“I soon realised just how big the zander was as I eased it towards the net, and I was praying that it didn't come off!”
Both of Matthew’s zander fell to chub livebait fished via a float-paternoster rig.
Giant 36lb 12oz pike banked at Chew Valley Reservoir!
A 14-YEAR quest for a giant Chew Reservoir pike finally ended for Ivan Newton with the capture of this immense 36lb 12oz predator.
Fishing the famous Walley Bank with his grandson Josh, the 69-year-old had no idea he was about to battle the fish of his dreams when his herring hookbait, legered 50yds from the shore, was picked up.
Ivan Newton’s 36lb 12oz personal best pike from Chew
Speaking to Angling Times, Ivan admitted to still being shocked over his catch of such a special fish.
He said: “My grandson Josh had just released a 3lb rainbow trout when my alarm sounded a few bleeps, and line began to peel from the reel.
“I picked up the rod and it was solid – I’d never felt anything like it.
“At first I thought it was a rock or some weed, but then it started to move – the sheer weight and power of the fish was incredible.”
After a few minutes the frame of a huge predator appeared on the surface 20 yards out and the pair knew they’d hooked a monster, but the fight was not over yet…
“The pike almost drifted across the surface as if it didn’t know it was hooked,” Ivan added.
“As I edged the fish closer Josh questioned whether it would fit in the net – it was gigantic!
“Thankfully the huge pike was safely landed and I was left completely stunned by the experience.
“I was so over the moon with this catch.
“We wanted to dispel some of the rumours that Chew doesn’t have the fish it once had anymore, and I think we did just that.
“I would also like to say a huge thanks to my grandson – without him it wouldn’t have been possible.”
Did You Know?
The Chew Reservoir pike record was banked in 2014 by Liverpool angler Paul Millar at a staggering 44lb 6oz. Fly expert Mike Green has also registered a 40lb 8oz fish from the venue, which is believed to be one of the biggest pike ever caught on fly tackle.
Over 600lb in catfish trio
Spain’s River Ebro is famed for its immense catfish but few anglers have enjoyed trips like Gary and Lucas Carter have, where they banked three cats over the 200lb mark.
Fishing over a six day period the biggest moggie the father and son landed between them pulled the scales round to a colossal 218lb – and they even added other moggies to over 150lb, alongside carp to 38lb!
Lucas said: “We were guided by Catfish Tours, with our guide being Edd Brett, who year after year has provided us with five-star service and always puts us on big fish.”
