BRITISH ANGLER CATCHES THE WORLD'S BIGGEST GOLDFISH AT 61LB 4OZ

Lee Parker, from Oxford, caught the mammoth fish at Bluewater Lakes in France

A British man has caught a carp that has earned the title of 'world's biggest goldfish', weighing a hefty 61lb 4oz.

Angler Lee Parker was fishing at Bluewater Lakes in France when he caught the much sought-after 'Carrot', one of the most famous ornamental fish.

The Brit almost bit off more than he could chew after he was nearly pulled into the lake by the mammoth goldfish.

Mr Parker, of Banbury in Oxford, said it took off like an express train as he had to cling firmly to his rod.

He also described how he was forced to dig his heels into the lake's bank to avoid behind dragged into the water.

After a near ten-minute tussle with he steered the goldfish into his landing net and hauled it on to the bank.

After that, he weighed it and photographed before slipping the goldfish safely back into the water to fight another day.

Far too big to fit into any normal sized fish bowl, the monster checks in at a whopping 4ft long.

The gigantic orange specimen, aptly nicknamed The Carrot, is a hybrid species of a leather carp and a koi carp, which are traditionally orange.

The Carrot is believed to be over 20 years old and was put in the lake at the fishery in France run by Brit Jason Cowler when it was young.

But it has proven an elusive fish to catch over the years and is rarely seen out of the water.

Fishery manager Jason Cowler said: 'We put The Carrot in about 20 years ago as something different for the customers to fish for. Since then it has grown and grown but it doesn't often come out. She is very elusive.

'She is in excellent health and condition. Congratulations to Andy on a great catch.'

2024-07-26T11:31:51Z dg43tfdfdgfd