MATCHMAN Damian Scriven weighed in this terrific 27 lb 9 oz pike during a match .... but he lost an even bigger one estimated at 35 lb.
The huge River Wye pike fell to Damian Scriven when he was fishing on the Belmont town stretch near Hereford.
He finished second in the winter league event with 70 lb 8 oz of small chub.
Blaina, South Wales-based Damian told Angler’s Mail about his two epic encounters with River Wye pike in the same contest.
“I was catching small chub steadily using a Bolo’ rod, 4 lb Maxima main line, a 6 g Bolo’ float and a size 11 hook with a single grain of sweetcorn,” he explained.
“When the float buried and shot off, I thought that I was attached to a big barbel or carp, so I took my time.”
River Wye pike battled for 45 minutes
Damian continued: “45 minutes later a huge pike surfaced, and I could see that it was hooked in the side of the mouth, the single grain of corn visible.
“I managed to just about fit the pike in my landing net, all 2 ft of it.
“There were a few pike anglers behind me, and one of them kindly weighed the fish for me.
“I went on to hook another pike that I estimated at 35 lb, but it was so long, it wouldn’t fit in my net, escaping at my feet.
“It was my 45th birthday, and it was a brilliant session,” added Damian, who fishes for Sensas Creel.
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