Tight Lines 02-21-09 || The Biggest Predator of the Year!

PIKING novice Tony Rideout has shaken the big fish world after boating the biggest predator of the year.

The immense 38lb 6oz fish was landed from Bristol Water’s Chew Reservoir – after it decided to get its teeth into the Wiltshire angler’s floatfished herring.

It obliterates Tony’s previous-best pike of 14lb and sets a new record for the prolific venue.

With his adrenaline surging, Tony and his brother finally managed to net the huge predator after an epic 20-minute battle.

And when the scales pulled round to 41lb, including the net, that’s when Tony started shaking.

“You never think at the start of one of these days that you’re actually going to go out and catch a 30. I couldn’t believe it was so wide – the girth was enormous.

“I ended up buying everyone a round at the end of the trip and one chap shook my hand three times. It was a great experience,” said Tony.

A shallow venue known for it rich biodiversity and huge shoals of coarse fish, Chew is becoming Britain’s best-ever big pike water. It produced a staggering 21 fish over the magical 30lb barrier in 2008 and five so far this year.

The invasion of pesky Chinese mitten crabs could be halted after Natural History Museum scientists deemed them fit for human consumption.

The crabs have spread to several UK rivers, including the Thames and Tyne. As well as anglers’ baits they love munching on fish eggs.

It is hoped the research will spark proposals to catch them and sell them in restaurants and shops.
Anglers who want to try eating the crabs should boil them before frying the meat in tasty fishcakes.

By Richard Lee. See the Amazing PIcture of this Gant Pike at:

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/othersport/view/71121/Monstermuncher-for-Tony/