Friday, June 17, 2011
Largest catfish: David Kent sets world record
KRABI, Thailand -- Welsh fisherman David Kent, 54, a retired Royal Navy officer, used a single piece of corn to caught a 7ft long giant Mekong catfish which tipped the scale at 260lb, at Gillhams Fishing Resorts
, in Krabi, on the west coast of southern Thailand - setting the new world record for the Largest catfish
(all-tackle category).
Photo: The World's Largest catifh. Photo: Gillhams Fishing Resorts ( enlarge photo
)
The Guinness world record for the most participants in a sea angling competition is 785 and was achieved by Blue Sea Sport Angling Club (Malta).
Guinness World Records also recognized the largest fishing tournament: 2,206 participants, achieved by Las Huellas Kids Fishing Tournament at Paseo de la Resaca in Brownsville, Texas.
David, 54, was on holiday in Thailand with his wife Isabel, 51, when he decided to try his luck in a lake. He didn't have a single nibble and was about to pack up - when suddenly he had the bite of his life.
After battling for almost an hour, David landed a 7ft long giant Mekong catfish. It tipped the scales at 260lb - a new world record.
David said: "The fish must have been hungry because it went for a tiny piece of corn. "It was a good fight and at one point I had to get into the lake to keep up with it. "But after 55 minutes I managed to bring it towards the bank and into my net."
Kent's catch, which measured more than seven feet long, was set free after its official sizing-up.
The species, which is threatened with extinction, holds the record for the largest freshwater fish in the world and has been seen to grow as large as 660lbs, or 300kg.
Gillhams Fishing Resorts
also produced the two previous record holders for this species, said resort owner Stuart Gillham.
One, caught in 2008, weighed 184 pounds. Another, snagged in 2009, weighed 191.
Gillham said there are fish in his lake that exceed 300 pounds and that he has recorded growth rates among his fish of more than 50 pounds per year.
Related world records:
Smallest fish caught on rod and reel: Andy Pelphrey
Largest tuna ever caught: Michael Livingston
Largest halibut:
Günther Hansel
Largest
kokanee:
Ron Campbell
Largest
genetically engineered trout: Sean Konrad
Giant
Fluke: Monica Oswald
Biggest
Largemouth Bass: Manabu Kurita
Largest
Oyster: Richard Mesce
Biggest
yellowedge grouper: Heath Cataulin
Biggest
lingcod: Robbie Hammond
Biggest
Smallfry Smallmouth: Dylan Davis
Largest
fish caught on 1 kg line: Guy Jacobsen
Biggest
Giant Grouper: Nelson Shayne
Biggest
carp caught in Thailand
Biggest
freshwater fish ever caught - Ian Welch
Friday, June 17, 2011