Insurance broker catches world's largest carp
An insurance broker from Essex has reeled in a world record-breaking common carp while on holiday in Hungary.
David Knock was left shaking and close to tears during a 20-minute battle with the fish, which weighed almost as much as a teenage boy.
The Billericay angler's 105lb common carp beat the existing record for the species by almost 1lb.
The 53-year-old, on holiday with his friend Russ Bryant, lured the 8st freshwater fish at the Euro Aqua fishery in Lake Balaton, western Hungary, using maggots as bait.
Mr Knock said: 'As soon as I saw it on the surface I just said, 'Oh my God'. I looked at my mate Russ and just started shaking and my legs were going mainly because I was terrified of losing it.
'I tried not to reel it in too fast. As it got closer, Russ said he wasn't sure it was going to fit in the landing net. It felt so heavy to lift up for the photographs and the weighing, it took a hell of an effort.'
Mr Knock explained he was in a state of disbelief after hearing he had set a new record, and was so shocked that he tried to call his wife Debbie back at home but was unable to speak.
He added: 'She asked me if I was OK, and Russ had to take the phone and explain. I shed a tear or two. For me, it is better than winning the lottery.'
After returning the carp safely to the lake, Mr Knock celebrated his catch with a drink in the clubhouse.
Jacqueline Horvath, who owns the carp farm with her partner Michel Schoenmakers, said: 'It is our passion to be with our fishermen and share moments like this and break records.'
In Britain, carp are not so big. A record-breaking 44lb-er was landed by renowned angler and author Richard Walker in Bernithan Pool, near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, in 1952.
The catch is considered the single most important event in carp-fishing history and paved the way for modern-day angling.
Named Clarissa, it went on to live at London Zoo Aquarium until 1972.
The record stood for 28 years until a fish weighing 51½lb was caught at the same location.
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