River Monster! British angler hooks humongous 222lb catfish which dragged his boat half a mile during struggle British angler hooks humongous 222lb catfish which dragged his boat half a mile during struggle.
Ditch Ballard, 37, was carp fishing on the bank of the River Ebro in Spain when the 9ft creature took the bait and was hooked. He hopped in his 12ft long aluminium craft and summoned all his strength to reel in the fish in the 'biggest battle of his fishing career'. Mr Ballard had to contend with freezing temperatures which left him trying to hold on to his catch while 'shivering uncontrollably'. Ditch placed his 16-stone catch on tarpaulin to weigh and measure it before returning the healthy fish to the water.