Drifting with small carp down the margins of Isla de Gracia we received a very welcome surprise when Adrian Cook hit into this magnificent Leer Fish of 53lb.
Our biggest Leer to date at 53lb, only 8lb shy of the stated record weight.
This is quite a specimen, given that the listed world record for this species is given as 61lb!
The take was quite spectacular as the carp came up in the water very close to the boat and the huge flash of silver was clearly visible as it grabbed hold. The fight was slightly disappointing this time, with the fish not stripping as much line as we have come to expect after previous encounters with Leers.
This fish is the biggest of the species we have encountered thus far, with the previous best a 50lber caught by Martin Filer a good number of years back.