An adapted inline maggot feeder rig has accounted for the biggest roach of the season in the form of this 3lb 2oz beauty.

It fell to Hampshire-based specimen-ace Dan Gale from a tidal stretch of Dorset’s River Frome and was a fish that he described as being ‘at the top of the list of all catches he’s ever made.’

Speaking exclusively to Angling Times, the 35-year-old discussed his session and the catch of such a rare and special roach.

He said: “The bite came during a short evening trip whilst the tide was a couple of hours into the ebb.

“After a fruitless 30 minutes in one swim, I moved downstream into some deeper water and used a small bait dropper to deposit a couple of pinches of hempseed.

“I then cast my adapted inline maggot feeder with a short hooklink onto the spot and another just downstream of this into the middle channel.”

To help temp a specimen redfin to the net Dan threaded a fake maggot onto the shank of a size 14 barbed hook.

No live maggots were used on the hook to help deter from catching smaller roach.

“The bite came on the downstream rod after a couple of minutes and straight away I knew it was a special fish,” he added.

“It rolled mid-river early in the fight so I was under no illusion that I had hooked a monster.

“After a dogged scrap the roach finally came to the net and I was able to take in its true dimensions. “I’ve been fortunate enough to catch some special fish in the last couple of years, but I think a river three might just be top of the list.

“It is a new PB and one I do not envisage breaking anytime soon! I think this fish does put itself on a pedestal against the others I’ve caught.”