New British record perch landed! - But will it be claimed?

Matt Atkins became the envy of perch fanatics nationwide when he landed this phenomenal 6lb 4oz stripey during a dawn raid at a southern stillwater.

Matt Atkins 6lb 4oz perch beats the current British record by 1oz

The 43-year-old and his friend Chris Hewett had already enjoyed a successful morning’s sport, with each landing a four-pounder, when Matt received a take just after 8am and struck into another hefty fish.

Chris and Matt had already had a dream morning with a brace of fours

He told us:

“As soon as I set the hook I could feel the heavy headshakes and said to Chris that if this wasn’t a pike, it would be a truly huge perch. After a short scrap we saw it surface and were just both speechless.
“The next few moments were a bit of a blur as I tried to keep my focus and ease the largest perch I’d ever seen over the net. That moment still hasn’t sunk in.”

The duo weighed the perch on two sets of Reuben Heaton digital scales, with each registering a weight of 6lb 4oz.

Despite his catch beating the official British best by 1oz, project manager Matt revealed that he won’t be submitting a claim to the British Record Fish Committee (BRFC).

“At the end of the day I’m content just knowing I’ve caught a fish of this magnitude, but ultimately I want to safeguard the venue because it has so much potential. Over the last few seasons I’ve enjoyed what’s possibly the greatest perch fishing in the country there – landing 15 fish over 4lb, of which three have been 5lb-plus.
“Now I’ve seen what it’s capable of I want to try to protect the venue more than ever.”

Matt Atkins won’t be claiming the record for this 6lb 4oz perch

Although worms and prawns are the most popular baits for big perch, Matt has enjoyed success using small roach deadbaits and a unique rig, which he explained.

“The biggest I’ve taken have all fallen for two to four-inch roach, which I pop up 2ft off the bottom using foam inserts,” he said. “The baits appear almost alive as they waft around in the water.”

Top three ratified perch records:

1 Ken Brown, 6lb 3oz, Wilstone Reservoir, September 2011

1 Neill Stephen, 6lb 3oz, Stream Valley Lakes, March 2011

3 Ricky Hilliday, 6lb, Cotswold Water Park, March 2010

Neill Stephen and his 6lb 3oz record perch in 2011