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Angler 'chuffed' as UK's largest catfish confirmed Angler 'chuffed' as UK's largest catfish confirmed
(about 3 hours later)
Shaun Ing said it took 90 minutes to land the 150lb catfishShaun Ing said it took 90 minutes to land the 150lb catfish
An angler said catching the biggest-ever catfish recorded in the UK was a "dream come true."An angler said catching the biggest-ever catfish recorded in the UK was a "dream come true."
Shaun Ing landed the 150lb (68kg) specimen at Chigborough Fisheries, near Maldon, Essex, at the end of September after an hour-and-a-half of "absolute madness" as he fought to reel it in.Shaun Ing landed the 150lb (68kg) specimen at Chigborough Fisheries, near Maldon, Essex, at the end of September after an hour-and-a-half of "absolute madness" as he fought to reel it in.
Having his record catch officially verified by the British Record (Rod-Caught) Fish Committee, external was a "massive relief", he said.Having his record catch officially verified by the British Record (Rod-Caught) Fish Committee, external was a "massive relief", he said.
"I am chuffed to bits - this is a long time coming," he added."I am chuffed to bits - this is a long time coming," he added.
Mr Ing said the catfish was regularly returned to the water during the weighing process
The catch has taken the top spot from the previous best, a different catfish caught from the same lake last May, which weighed 143lb (64.4kg).The catch has taken the top spot from the previous best, a different catfish caught from the same lake last May, which weighed 143lb (64.4kg).
"You always dream of catching the biggest fish in the lake, but to have a UK record is a dream come true," said Mr Ing."You always dream of catching the biggest fish in the lake, but to have a UK record is a dream come true," said Mr Ing.
The 34-year-old had been fishing with his wife, Chloe, and friends when his prey took the bright yellow bait.The 34-year-old had been fishing with his wife, Chloe, and friends when his prey took the bright yellow bait.
He said the catfish - which measured more than 8ft (2.4m) long - was incredibly powerful, and so heavy that it bent the hook on the weighing scales.He said the catfish - which measured more than 8ft (2.4m) long - was incredibly powerful, and so heavy that it bent the hook on the weighing scales.
Mr Ing said his friends were unable to help until he could bring the fish closer to the bankside.Mr Ing said his friends were unable to help until he could bring the fish closer to the bankside.
"Even an hour into the fight, the fish was still taking line and we were all wondering, 'When is this going to end?'" he said."Even an hour into the fight, the fish was still taking line and we were all wondering, 'When is this going to end?'" he said.
Mr Ing, who first started fishing with his grandfather at the age of six, said: "It is not a hobby; it is an obsession."Mr Ing, who first started fishing with his grandfather at the age of six, said: "It is not a hobby; it is an obsession."
He said his grandfather would be "so proud, he would be shouting it from the rooftops".He said his grandfather would be "so proud, he would be shouting it from the rooftops".
He said the catch was a "great accolade" for Chigborough Fisheries and that he could not have achieved it without their support.He said the catch was a "great accolade" for Chigborough Fisheries and that he could not have achieved it without their support.
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