A British angler has broken the world record for catching the world’s biggest known goldfish, aptly nicknamed The Carrot which is believed to be around 20-years-old
Angler Andy Hackett with his record-breaking goldfish (Image: JasonCrowther/BNPS)
A Brit has reeled in an absolute whopper of a goldfish that dwarfs any found at a fairground.
Andy Hackett, 42, had only dreamt of catching an elusive 67lbs 4ozs beast known at a French fishery as The Carrot.
“I always knew The Carrot was in there but never thought I would catch it,” Andy said.
The angler was chuffed when after 25 minutes of tackling a stubborn fish, he finally pulled it out the water to reveal he had caught a local 5st legend at Bluewater Lakes in Champagne, France.
Andy didn’t expect he’d reel in The Carrot (Image: JasonCrowther/BNPS)
The Carrot, so-called for its bright orange appearance, is a hybrid species of a leather carp and a koi carp, and believed to have spent the best part of 20 years swimming in the lake.
Andy, a company director from Kidderminster, Worcester said: “I knew it was a big fish when it took my bait and went off side to side and up and down with it. Then it came to the surface 30 or 40 yards out and I saw that it was orange.
“It was brilliant to catch it but it was also sheer luck.”
The Carrot is twice the size of a previous record holder in 2010 (Image: JasonCrowther/BNPS)
Andy celebrated his record-breaker with a humble cuppa after posing with the fish and sending it back on its way.
The fishery is run by fellow Brit Jason Cowler who introduced The Carrot when it was young and has rarely been seen ever since.
Jason Cowler said: “We put The Carrot in about 20 years ago as something different for the customers to fish for.
Andy released The Carrot after a few photos (Image: JasonCrowther/BNPS)
“Since then it has grown and grown but it doesn’t often come out. She is very elusive.”
At 67lbs 4ozs, the gilled golden nugget weighs 30lbs heavier than what previously tipped the scales as the world’s biggest goldfish caught three years ago by Jason Fugate in Minnesota, US.
Previously Italian Raphael Biagini held the angling record for his 30lbs bright orange koi carp, caught by in the south of France in 2010.
