Over the last few weeks, Wayne Edwards experienced a remarkable run of perch catches on the River Lea, capped by this 5lb 6oz fish. It’s believed to be a record for the southern waterway, eclipsing a 5lb 2oz fish landed a few years ago.

Additionally, Wayne’s landed three fish over 4lb, plus 12 different specimens over 3lb. “I woke up expecting to be fitting a front door for a customer, but had the job called off due to the weather,” he told us. “I grabbed some leftover bait and headed to the river, where I fished maggots and chopped worm over groundbait.”

After catching some bream, roach and small chub, Wayne moved to an area where he’s caught big perch on previous sessions. “There were two anglers there, but they didn’t mind be dropping in by the next boat down, where I presented a live bait on a legered paternoster rig,” he revealed. “After catching a pike, I recast and 20 seconds later had a little drop back bite. I thought it might have been another pike, but when a big perch surfaced, I knew it was a bit special.”

However, it wasn’t until the fish lay on Wayne’s unhooking mat that he realised its true size. “I was buzzing with excitement and was blown away when my scales indicated a weight of 5lb 6oz. “The fish was also weighed on the scales of a passing lure angler, which gave the exact same reading,” he added. “I caught a five-pounder back in 2019 but, to be honest, wasn’t prepared for it, and didn’t have the best quality scales at the time. “I’m pleased to have caught another with better equipment and to have fellow anglers alongside me to witness it this time!”

Well done Wayne!