30 June 2023 , 22:28
874
0
A group of lads hooked a whopper of a holiday memory after reeling in a 250lb fish.
The group of pals were on a casual fishing trip in Mequinenza, north east Spain, and were left stunned when they caught the beast.
The whopper was identified as a Wels catfish around double the average size, as one tour guide said it was the biggest he'd ever seen.
Even locals came out to congratulate them on their bounty, which was later returned to the water still alive.
Daniel Storey, a roofer from Carlisle who has fished for 10 years, said he was "over the moon".
Holiday hack to get 48 days off by booking just 19 days of annual leave in 2023
"I really never expected this," said the 31-year-old.
"Catching a massive fish like this is something you dream of.
Peter and Daniel with their whopper of a catch (Peter Irwin / SWNS)"I've never caught anything close to that big so I didn't know what it would feel like, and I only realised it was quite special because of the reaction of my friends.
"I didn't even realise how amazing it was until people from the village were patting me on the back the next day."
Daniel was on day one of a week-long fishing trip with pals Lewis Pattinson and Martin Irwin, both 32, when he hooked it.
It took 40 minutes to land the massive fish - which had to be brought out of the river Segre using a sling.
It weighed in at 246 pounds, more than double the average Wels catfish size of 120 pounds, while also measuring 8ft 2ins - compared with the average length of 4ft 3ins to 5ft 3ins.
The species however have been known to weigh up to an incredible 300lbs.
Roofer Daniel was stunned with their catch (Peter Irwin / SWNS)Peter Irwin, 41, of Monster Catfishing Tours, the company running the tour, was with the lads at the time.
"It's a brilliant catch, and extremely rare - it's a once-in-a-lifetime event," Peter said.
Brit tourist chased and shot dead while on holiday at luxury villa in Jamaica
"This is the biggest I've ever handled.
"I've seen people come fishing here for 20 years and not catch anything like that.
"It really was their lucky day. I don't usually take people out fishing on day one but they insisted."
Wels catfish have long grey bodies, with large eyes and mouths, and with over 250,000 taste buds are known to eat fish and birds.
The fishes' long whiskers are used to feel their way about in the water and taste.