The Midlands river has long been synonymous with the species, although it’s fair to say that, in terms of the giant-fish scene, other venues such as the Lea, Trent and Thames have overtaken it over recent seasons. It’s record stood at 17lb 14oz for years, but that’s just been blown out of the water by James Benfield’s specimen.

James, from Tewlesbury, has fished the river for 31 years, and is also the holder of the British Record zander – a fish of 21lb 5oz, also caught from the Severn back in 2007, with the fish falling to a pellet intended for barbel! But there was no chance involved in his capture of the new river record, as he had heard rumours of a big fish on the lower river, and spent the last two years searching for it.

“In January, I started actively targeting it from one swim, and on my fifth trip, I encountered it,” he told us. “Fishing one rod, my first fish was a 12lb barbel, and after landing it I considered packing up, but decided to stay for a few more hours. At 10:30pm I had another take, and judging by its slow, plodding fight, I had a feeling that this was the fish I was after. When it broke surface, I knew it was the fish of a lifetime. After a few more dives for freedom, I managed to get its nose into the net.”

The fish has been confirmed as an official river record and caps an incredible campaign for James, in which he landed 123 barbel, 45 of which were ‘doubles’. “A 10mm Ambush hooker pellet from Severn Valley Barbel Products produced the fish – I catch all of my fish on these or meat and keep my tactics and rigs simple,” he added.

Well done James!