Giant barbel strikes just before dawn

DAVE Steptoe smashed his old barbel best with this 18lb 1oz brute from the Trent at Gunthorpe Island.

The Nuneaton rod fished boilies and PVA bags over hemp to take seven fish under 10lb on the first night, but just before dawn the next morning he hit into the giant.

He said:

“After a short fight I landed this beast of a fish, weighed on three sets of scales and witnessed by four people at 18lb 1oz.”

Dave Steptoe and his 18lb 1oz Trent barbel