Although not known for producing record- shaking fish, Britain’s canals have always been capable of throwing up a heavyweight surprise or two... and few bigger than this giant zander weighing just 15oz shy of the UK best!
Mike Pisera caught the impressive 20lb 6oz fish on lure tactics during a recent trip, and it’s the biggest-ever example of the species reported from one of our man-made waterways, eclipsing Mike Duffield’s 18lb 14oz zander from the Gloucester Canal in 2023.
It also rattles James Benfield’s long-standing 21lb 5oz UK record, caught from the River Severn in 2007.
Mike has dedicated a lot of time this year searching for a big ‘zed’, and his efforts have certainly paid off.
“I told my friends and family that I’m after a record-sized fish,” he told us.
“I had a zander of 14lb 13oz from the Warwickshire Avon early in the season, which fell to a fly-style lure.
On this occasion, I was casting large plastic lures and having fish nip at the tail but not connect with the hooks.”
In response, Mike added a second hook on a ‘stinger’, but that caused the bites to stop.
“My only option was to scale down, so I switched to a small 7.5cm pattern,” he added.
“I had a fast bite and initially the fight wasn’t anything crazy. However, as it neared the bank it battled hard, trying to stay on the bottom.
“I knew it was a big fish, but after I netted it I had to sit there for a moment while we both recovered! My heart was pounding! It measured 90cm and is, I believe, the new UK canal record.
NEVER CAUGHT A ZANDER? CHECK OUT THESE EXCELLENT TIPS TO BANK YOUR FIRST ONE.
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