Record-Breaking Catfish Caught in the UK
In a thrilling angling tale that sounds almost too good to be true, Darren Reitz, a 34-year-old from Rainham in east London, has made headlines by reeling in what is believed to be the largest freshwater fish ever caught by rod in the United Kingdom.
The Catch
The colossal “monster” catfish, tipping the scales at a staggering 143 pounds (64.4kg), was captured by Reitz during a fishing expedition at a lake in Maldon, Essex. Describing his triumph as pure luck, Reitz recounted the arduous battle it took to bring the behemoth to shore. With the fish putting up a formidable fight, it took the combined efforts of four people over an hour to secure the catch. “Three of my friends got into the water with nets because it was that big and I was so worried we would lose it,” Reitz revealed.
The Angler’s Tale
Reitz, who works as a garbageman by day, revealed that his record-breaking catch came after a long and uneventful day on the water. Spending 14 hours fishing late into the night without so much as a nibble, he and his companions were taken by surprise when the massive catfish finally took the bait. “My friends started panicking as it was clearly a big fish,” Reitz recalled.
The Aftermath
Despite his monumental achievement, Reitz remains modest, describing himself as an “amateur” fisherman who simply enjoys the tranquility of being out on the water. “I wasn’t expecting to catch that,” he admitted. Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer size of his catch, dubbing it a “monster” in awe.
The Fish’s Fate
After being caught and weighed, the catfish, affectionately named Scar, was released back into the lake. According to Paul Tallowin, co-owner of Chigborough Farm & Fisheries where the catch was made, while Scar may be the largest fish caught so far, there are likely even bigger specimens lurking beneath the surface. “The catfish put on about 7lbs (3.2kg) a year, so this one would be about 45 years old. I am sure some are a bit bigger. It all depends on what they have to eat,” Tallowin explained.
Final Words
In the annals of British angling history, Darren Reitz’s epic battle with the monstrous catfish is sure to be remembered as a tale of triumph against the odds. As accolades pour in for his remarkable feat, one thing is certain – the waters of Maldon, Essex, hold secrets yet to be discovered, and perhaps even larger fish waiting to test the mettle of intrepid anglers.
