DARREN Clarke never thought he’d beat his 16lb 9oz zander best, but during a recent session on the tidal River Trent he did just that when he landed this 17lb 14oz beast.
Doncaster-based Darren, had to settle for his third choice of swim, with other anglers in his preferred options.
He fished a running rig with a small roach deadbait, and had landed a few small pike before connecting with something more powerful that headed for mid-river.
Initially, he thought it was a big pike, so when he caught a glimpse of a huge zander, he admitted that his legs ‘went to jelly’!
Darren Clarke – 17lb 14oz zander