Chris Flook from Ivybridge in Devon caught his biggest ever Wels Catfish at 72lb 2oz from the Specimen Carp Lake at Anglers Paradise. Fishery owner Zyg Greogorek believes that this is the biggest Wels Catfish born and bred in the UK which is one of the offspring of an original stocking in the early 90’s following a long fight with MAFF to get official permission to stock them. The original fish were stocked as 10” babies which were born in the UK. A couple of original fish are now over 100lbs.
If Carlsberg made Fishing weeks then this would be right up there!! Scott Brown had a week he’ll never forget and achieved Angling dreams he never thought would come true!! The start of the week he had a 65lb Cat from the Specimen Cat Lake. Then he went on the Main Carp Lake and had Carp 22lbs, 21lbs, 20lbs, 18lbs & 16lbs. He had Catfish of 27lbs & 20lbs from the Easy Access, 12lb Grass Carp from the Tench Lake as well as lots of big Golden Tench, Koi, Crucians, Rudd, Orfe and a Blue Tench for Dad too!
Scott’s story –
The highlight of the entire holiday was a 72 hour session on The Kracking Carp lake here’s my story. Arriving early morning the lake had two other anglers on in peg 1 and peg 2 so I decided to head to the total opposite end of the lake hoping that the lower angling pressure that end would increase my chances.
After some careful baiting of crushed Nash Scopex Squid, hemp and sweet corn I got my casts spot on with a good land. The first day and night went without a bleep but I knew I’d got everything right so I decided to not recast or add more bait yet the patience paid off as at first light the left hand rod slowly beeped away I struck into it and immediately knew this felt a good fish. A slow and ponderous fight which normally indicates a big fish took place as the fish rolled I couldn’t believe my eyes with the sheer size of it, i knew straight away I’d hooked the legendary Silverback! Guiding her over the landing net was one of my greatest angling moments I was buzzing! 52lb 3oz a new Pb and my first ever 50lb carp.
That afternoon the Baliff came to see me and I said I’d had Silverback so the Parrot was next on my list, never in my wildest dream did I think this would become reality. But about the same time the next morning the alarm screamed off and a much more aggressive fight took place. A much darker fish came up to surface and I saw the distinctive mouth that gives the fish it’s name. Knees shaking at this point I managed to land the beast at 47lb 2oz! That session will live long in my memory as one of my greatest angling achievements, 11 oz off a 100lb total from just two fish will more than likely not be repeated fir me ever again. Both fish came on Nash Scopex squid absit I have had total confidence in ever since its release and after results like this I can’t see me deviating from any time in the near future. A brilliant holiday and one that’s going to take some topping, but I’ll be back again next year as always and give it my best shot.”
FISH OF THE WEEK WINNER 16TH AUGUST
Lorcan Holdsworth who after watching Alan Blair’s Family Fishing video shot at Anglers Paradise inspired him to return to us with his family and he caught an amazing personal best 78lb 6oz Catfish from the Main Carp Lake!!
Lorcan’s story –
“On a return visit to Anglers Paradise with the family I met 15 year old Ozzy on the Easy Access Lake where between us after not much luck we partnered up and got 3 nice Catfish up to 25lb. Ozzy even broke his PB at 22lb and would you believe on sweetcorn!
After a terrific session Ozzy invited me down to the Main Carp Lake and with confidence high within 2 hours had a very strange bite. Once I picked the rod up I knew the fish was a decent size and new it was a Cat straight away. The fish was unstoppable and wrapped me around 5c’s Island where the rod went solid. I made a quick decision to swim out and release it from the snag. After a long battle Ozzy and I finally got this monster in a net as we cheered our success.
A very special moment that neither of us will forget. Great team effort as on this occasion I smashed my PB weighing in at 78lbs 6oz!”
WELL DONE LORCAN – WHAT A FISH TO CATCH AND IT’S THE BIGGEST CATFISH TO COME OUT THIS YEAR – CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE!!
Here he is with his winning Fish and being presented his prizes by Zyggy and Zenia with special thanks to JRC Fishing.
**FISH OF THE WEEK IS SPONSORED BY JRC FISHING – THE MAKERS OF GREAT CARP TACKLE**
NIRVANA’S SPECIMEN CAT LAKE PRODUCING THE CATFISH
Well done to Martin Cox and Noel Hyland who both caught their personal best Catfish from our day ticket Specimen Cat Lake!
Martin caught a personal best 63lb 10oz Cat caught on peg 3 on Mainline spicy crab 20mm bollie over 10kg of Baittech pellets and Noel caught a personal best 40lb Catfish.
FISH OF THE WEEK WINNER 2ND AUGUST IS…
Dan Maher who caught an amazing personal best 68lb 12oz Wels Catfish from the Main Carp Lake!
Dan’s story –
“My name is Dan, I’m 33 years old and I’m from Liverpool. I’ve been coming to Anglers Paradise for over ten years and this is the first year I have come with my girlfriend, Nicola. I decided to fish Nev’s Point on the Main Carp Lake and after catching a couple of nice carp up to 21lb I decided to cast out a catfish rod I brought specifically to try and beat my previous PB of 54lb from the Specimen Cat Lake.
Nicola and I had just sat down in our chairs after a nice bbq and a glass of Zyg’s wine, when the rod ripped off towards the 5C’s island. The fish decided to go on a long run to a snag against the island opposite and then over towards Zyg’s boat house. I was using strong tackle to deal with the biggest catfish in the lake and managed to pull it back through the weed and into open water.
This catch was extra special because it is a new PB and weighed in at a massive 68lb 12oz. It was also amazing to have my girlfriend present to help me net the fish. Nicola is new to fishing and this is the first fishing holiday we have taken together. I would have struggled to net the fish on my own and with little fishing experience, Nicola did an amazing job. I smashed my PB by 14lb and the fish was caught on pellet. I was also lucky enough to catch another cat a couple of hours later at 55lb.”
WELL DONE DANNY BOY – THAT’S A BIG FISH TO CATCH!! CONGRATULATIONS!
Here he is with his winning Fish and being presented his prizes by Zyggy and Zenia with special thanks to JRC Fishing.
ANGLERS PARADISE 
FISH OF THE WEEK WINNER 7TH JUNE IS…
Emma Tanner AND Damian Armes – A JOINT WIN! Both were worthy of winning this week that we couldn’t not choose them both, Emma caught a personal best 22lb 5oz Grass Carp from the Main Carp Lake and Damian caught a personal best 55lb Catfish from the Specimen Cat Lake.
Emma’s story –
“Here we are, another year at AP and although we predominantly target the ornamental fish while we are here, we thought we’d have a go on the Main Lake after a couple of good days on Easy Access. We set up on the Tuesday and it lashed it down all day. Cold and a bit miserable at the June weather, there was nothing but a small pasty for hubby and a big fat blank for me (my first blank day I’ve had here which is probably why I enjoy a few hours on float, koi or magic on the way back to the villa if the other lakes haven’t producing!).
Not to be put off by my day of no action though, we visited Main again on the Wednesday. The lake was much quieter this time and we picked a better swim with lots of features – the weather was looking spot on too! I fished just off the island with a cell wafter and a PVA bag of particle and sweetcorn mix and sat back…at lunchtime my bite alarm went off, nothing much, just a couple of bleeps and the bobbin dropped back, I was out of my chair and poised ready for action but no screaming peel of line, just a couple more half hearted bleeps! Ever hopeful (and a little despondent!) I struck into it anyway and realised I was in. I remember saying to Mark ‘it’s only a pasty but a fish is still a fish’. Swimming towards me with still no fight, I suddenly saw the shoulders and length of what I had called ‘the pasty’. Turns out it was a 22lb 5oz grass carp! I was made up! After lots of thrashing on the mat, I was allowed a couple of photos. I haven’t stopped smiling since as this is my first ever grassy (and a pretty big one at that) so I’m guessing this can be classed as a new PB for me and what better place to set a new record than in Paradise!”
Damian’s story –
‘’I never thought in my wildest dreams I would catch Catfish of 55lbs and 33lbs! I never tried for Catfish until I came to Anglers Paradise in Devon and I got 2 in 24 hours, this 1 being the biggest. I’ve caught that many different species, over 30 Carp biggest being 20lbs, but I’ve seen some monsters that were much bigger and also Koi, Gold fish, Golden Tench, Orfe, too many to name them all!
What a place, the name really does fit as an Anglers Paradise! Zyggy and Zenia are so welcoming and funny, I’ve never laughed so hard, they are a delight to be around. The tackle shop has everything you need and give you helpful tips when trying new lakes. Food is excellent, Zyggy’s wine is lovely fruity and packs a punch, picturesque surroundings and the wildlife is something else, I’ve seen Kingfishers, Barn Owls and a Kestrel. The Lakes are well kept, the fish are spotless and all I can say is I’m already looking forward to my next trip WHAT A WEEK it has been best fishing holiday ever!’’
WELL DONE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH – GREAT FISH AND BOTH WELL DESERVED!
Here they are with their winning Fish and being presented their prizes by Zyggy and Zenia with special thanks to JRC Fishing.
**FISH OF THE WEEK IS SPONSORED BY JRC FISHING – THE MAKERS OF GREAT CARP TACKLE**
The latest catches from Anglers Paradise. Warm weather has Brought out the cats and carp!
53lb Wels Catfish from the Main Carp Lake!
Well Done to Paul Fullman
FISH OF THE WEEK WINNER 24TH MAY IS…🐟
Jonny Kitson who caught 8 Twenty Pound plus Carp during his week’s stay with us at Anglers Paradise which is pretty amazing angling!! Jonny caught 7 20’s from the Main Carp Lake of 22lb 2oz, 20lb, 22lb 13oz, 24lb 7oz, 24lb 10oz, 26lb 6oz, 23lb 10oz AND a 22lb 13oz Mirror from the Kracking Carp Lake making his catches in weight over 163lbs of Carpy action!!
Jonny’s story –
“I arrived on the Main Carp Lake on the Tuesday morning and after a couple of laps opted for a swim near Zyggy’s roped off area as it was clear there was a lot of fish patrolling the Lilly’s opposite. I then started spreading 18ml of Cell in and around the Lilly’s. I fished Ronnie rigs with Cell wafters just off the Lilly’s and over 2 nights I caught 7 20lb+ carp followed by a 22lb 13oz Mirror from the Kracking Carp Lake. Unbelievable session on an unbelievable lake!!!!”
MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE JONNY – YOUR ARMS MUST BE ACHING FROM ALL THAT HAULING!!!
Here he is with his winning Fish and being presented his prizes by Zyggy and Zenia with special thanks to JRC Fishing.
**FISH OF THE WEEK IS SPONSORED BY JRC FISHING – THE MAKERS OF GREAT CARP TACKLE**
CATS AND CARP ARE ON THE FEED!
Michael Pearson from Notttingham did very well on his annual holiday trip to Anglers Paradise. Not only did he catch Catfish of 53lbs 1oz and 52lbs 4oz from our day ticket Specimen Cat Lake but he also caught a lovely 24lb 9oz Leather Carp from the Main Carp Lake.
The fish are well on the feed after spawning, I’ve got fish pictures coming out of my ears!! Lots more amazing catches to share with you all so watch this space!
GREAT ANGLING MICHAEL – WELL DONE!
PB CATFISH FROM THE MAIN CARP LAKE
Ben McDonnell, 27 from Kent caught a personal best 67lb 13oz Catfish from the Main Carp Lake.
Ben caught the catfish on a casual carpers 15mm spiced krill boillie topped with a 12mm spiced krill pop up, it smashed his old PB of 19lb 1oz by 48lb 12oz!!
(below) Alan George, 49 from Wales caught his 1st ever ‘30’ from the Main Carp Lake, a stunning 30lb 8oz Mirror winning him our Fish Of The Week competition.
Alan shared –
“After arriving at Anglers Paradise on the Saturday afternoon, we enjoyed a few drinks with our friends before venturing down to the Main Lake to take advantage of the peace and quiet as a 5c’s member. I decided to do a bit of stalking on the surface free lining bread. It wasn’t long before I spotted a few in one of the back bays, soaking up the sun. I flicked out a single piece of bread and it wasn’t long before a carp slipped up and took the bait!
After a short hard battle through the pads, my good friend Mick Pearson did the honours of netting the fish and couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw what was in there.
The mirror carp weighed in at 30lb 8oz and was a new PB and my first 30lb plus carp. Not bad for the 1st cast of the holiday!”
(Below)Ben Gregory caught a personal best 5lb 8oz Golden Tench from the Specimen Tench and Orfe Lake. Ben shared – “I’d already had quite a good day on the lake having had 13 Tench and 1 Barbel. However despite my friend Mitchell’s pleads to leave because it was pretty cold, we persisted for another 30mins and I had one final bend in the rod from the lily pads. The biggest was saved to last on a robin red pellet. My new personal best at 5lbs 8oz! It’s been a great week, we hope to get back soon!”
(Below)Steve Self caught a beautiful 8lb 6oz Koi and a rare two tone Koi from our famous Koi Lake off the top with bread crust stalking them for hours. Steve also tried a new tactic and fished with a daisy off the top to see if he could catch one on a flower and he did it!!!
Matthew caught the Wels Catfish on a A2 baits 16mm fruity fish wafter topped with a bit of pink fake corn, attached a small pva bag of boilie crumb and another small bag of boilie halves and cast it into where Ashley said the bowl was.
Matthew shared –
“20 minutes in I had a savage liner which I almost hit but didn’t, then another 20 minutes past and the rod rattled off! And what can only be described as a tense 20 minutes I finally got her in the net, which was a struggle by myself. Zeroed the sling etc and she tipped the scales round to 60lb 8oz, beating my original UK PB by 15lb 8oz! I’ve been lucky enough to have cats to almost 120lb in France but to get one that big in England and even better at anglers paradise is ace! Can safely say I won’t catch a cat that big for a long time! and it just goes to show, if the bailiffs are willing to give you advice then make the most of it!”
WELL DONE MATTHEW AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW PB!
**For future big Cats all, we’re trying to encourage Anglers to lie beside/have the tail between your legs on an unhooking mat with the head at the fore front of the camera better for the fish, makes it look bigger.
Congratulations to Charlie Grant, 12, who whilst on his annual Family holiday with us at Anglers Paradise caught his biggest ever fish, a personal best 29lb Wels Catfish!!
Charlie caught the Catfish on Luncheon Meat soaked in spotted fin smokey jack over spray from the Easy Access Lake.
**Take note ‘all’ on how he is presenting the Catfish – Superb pictures Charlie, showing us how not to hold Catfish!!**
