Geoff Hayward

September 2009

Venue: Furnace Lakes

Species: Other

Weight: 67 lb 0 oz

Bait: Other Halibut Pellets

Tackle and Rig: Fox Ethos 3lb TC carp rod; Daiwa Infinity X 5500 BR reel, 25lb Nash Bullet Braid mainline; Kryston Quicksilver Golf 35lb hook link; Fox Armor Point SSCB(B) size 4 hook.

Story: A 48 hour session on Roman Lake, Furnace Lakes near Horsham W Sussex resulted in the capture of a 67lb Wells Catfish. During the full moon period and in the early hours of Saturday 5 Sept, Geoff Hayward (National Secretary to the ROYAL NAVY AND ROYAL MARINE'S ANGLING ASSOCIATION) deliberately targeted the species from Peg 12, fishing to the deeper water in the SE corner of Roman's. Two 18 mm halibut pellets, hair rigged to 35lb Kryston Quicksilver Gold hook length attached to a 1.5 oz lead clip arrangement and 25lb Nash Bullet Braid mainline with a 3 bait stringer proved to be the successful combination. 'Upon hooking the fish, which gave a very slow indication on my bite alarms, I knew I was into something special. The sheer power of the fish was incredible and throughout the playing of the fish I struggled to maintain control in the tight confines of the swim' After 25 minutes, the fish was successfully netted. The weight of the fish maxed out my scales but a willing angler offered his 100lb scales to weigh the fish - coming in at exactly 67lbs. It measured almost 5.5 feet in length and the head was 11 inches broad. My previous PB catfish was caught the previous day and was smashed by over 48lbs by this creature. Rob Kendall (also a member of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Angling Association) did the excellent work with the net and helping to show off the beast to the camera! Not for publication: Photo can be found here: http://www.me.com/gallery/#100038/img_0403 the author is at the head end of the fish.

back to Recent Captures