THIS in-form angler could not have been happier after catching this jumbo perch – but then managed to throw his phone straight into the water!
Charlie Coppolo was just scrolling through the pictures he’d taken of the 4 lb 10 oz specimen when the phone impersonated a hot potato.
Great Wakering, Essex-based Charlie explained the incident, which happened when he fished from a boat on Hanningfield Reservoir in his home county.
“The day started fantastically with my first bite, using a Z-Man TicklerZ rigged on a ned rig, producing a new PB perch of 4 lb 10 oz,” said Charlie.
“Sitting back, I was just buzzing and staring at the photos on my phone when I somehow managed to juggle my phone up into the air and over the side of the boat.
“With no back-up or anything, I could do nothing but just watch the only photos I have of my PB just slowly sink to the depths…
“I had the phone in a waterproof case, which meant I was literally watching the phone sink with the photos still on the screen.
“’Bitter-sweet’ doesn’t quite cut it.
“Still, I got my ‘game head’ back on and carried on fishing hoping for some sort of consolation.
“And I did get it. My next fish was 3 lb 8 oz and I also followed that up with another huge perch of 4 lb 8 oz.
“On reflection I can’t be too disappointed that I don’t have any pictures of my PB, as I did have 12 lb 10 oz of perch for only three fish but it still does sting a bit.
“I’ve got my eyes set on a big pike this winter of 25 lb-plus. And if I manage to tick that off then I really want to try for a big chub over 7 lb from my local river,” concluded the 32-year-old tattoo artist.
Charlie’s perch adds to other other PBs including rudd to 3 lb, roach 2 lb 8 oz, carp 35 lb 14 oz, pike 20 lb 12 oz, chub 4 lb 10 oz, tench 8 lb and bream 11 lb.
He also made the news with a 2019 catch of four perch over 4 lb, also from Hanningfield.
GOT A STORY, OR VIEWS OR GREAT PHOTOS? Email pix with info to: anglersmail@ti-media.com
For the best exclusive content, read Angler’s Mail magazine this week. The print issue of Angler’s Mail is in shops priced £2.20. Get your copy asap.
JANUARY SALE ANGLER’S MAIL SUBSCRIPTION OFFER!
Start 2020 in style by getting 6 issues of AM magazine for just £6 >> click here and net a subscription!
You may also like to read these Angler’s Mail stories…
Angler’s eye shattered in freak accident
Guy Manton was fishing at Dorset’s Todber Manor, when his waggler sprung back and hit him right in the middle…
Charge your smartphone while you fish!
The range includes solar chargers and USB chargers for mobiles, smartphones, satellite phones, GPS systems, MP3 players, tablets, digital cameras…
Float punctures lung
A YOUNG lad is lucky to be alive after a pole float speared him in the chest… and punctured his…