An incredible feat was achieved by angler Steve Ricketts as he recently reeled in Britain’s largest ever freshwater eel, breaking a record that stood for 46 years. The astonishing catch weighed in at 11lbs 3oz and measured 47 inches in length, leaving Mr. Ricketts in a state of shock when he saw the size of the eel on his hook in the waters of a lake in Kent.

The monster eel, estimated to be around 40 years old with a girth of 12 inches, surpassed the previous record set by Steve Terry in 1978. Mr. Ricketts, aged 62, meticulously weighed the eel on three sets of scales to ensure accuracy before releasing it back into the water unharmed.

Following verification by the British Record Fish Committee (BRFC), the catch has been officially recognized as a record-breaking achievement. Despite his disbelief at the size of the eel, Mr. Ricketts expressed his shock and excitement at surpassing a record that was deemed unbeatable.

Reflecting on the moment of the catch, Mr. Ricketts, a member of the National Anguilla Club for eel anglers, shared his initial disbelief at the eel’s size. He recounted how the eel did not put up much of a fight initially, leading him to underestimate its size until it fully surfaced, prompting a shout of astonishment from the angler.

With his remarkable catch making waves in the angling community, Mr. Ricketts’ achievement serves as a testament to the thrill and unpredictability of freshwater fishing. The angling world eagerly awaits the next record-breaking catch that will further push the boundaries of the sport.