Fisherman says largest recorded catfish in UK caught in Maldon

A fisherman mentioned he was “absolutely devastated” after touchdown what has been confirmed as the biggest catfish ever recorded in Britain.

Shaun Eng caught a 150-pound (68 kg) specimen at Chigborough Fisheries close to Maldon, Essex in late September 2024.

He instructed the BBC that it took an hour and a half of “complete madness” to hook the fish.

The catch continues to be awaiting official verification British Record Fish Committee But if confirmed, it will beat the present finest – a special catfish from the identical lake final May flip the needle spherical to 143 lb (64.4 kg).

Mr Eng was fishing along with his spouse Chloe and several other mates when the fish took his vivid yellow hookbait.

The 34-year-old man mentioned the catfish – which measured greater than 8 ft (2.4 metres) lengthy – was extremely highly effective.

He mentioned, “There was no stopping it – it was drawing lines like you wouldn't believe.”

“I used to have a German shepherd – it was like walking 12 of them at once.”

Mr Ing, of Langdon Hills, mentioned his good friend was unable to assist till he might carry the catfish nearer to shore.

“An hour after the fight there were still fish lined up and we were all wondering 'when is this going to end?',” he mentioned.

“They were looking at their watches wondering 'Are we still going to be here doing this in the morning?'

Eventually the group was able to get the catfish out of the water with the help of some weight slings and a body bag they had left over from a Halloween event.

The fish was so heavy that it bent the scale.

When it was last caught 10 years ago it weighed about 20 pounds (9.1 kg) less.

He added, “This is the catfish everybody has been lacking for a very long time.”

Mr Ing – who has been fishing since he was a boy – said the catch was “a great compliment” to Chigborough Fisheries, where he and his wife volunteer.

“For me it's all about Chigborough because it's given me and Chloe so much over the last five, six years.”

A spokesman for the British Record (Rod-Caught) Fish Committee said it had “acquired a document declare in relation to Shaun Ing's fish”.

“The declare has not but been confirmed however can be thought of sooner or later,” the spokesperson said.

The catfish – which Mr Eng mentioned have been often returned to the water through the weighing course of – have now been launched right into a specialist catfish lake.