As an homage to the record breakers of the underwater world, this 15-part series sees two of Britain’s best loved anglers, Matt Hayes and Mick Brown, team up once again to take on their biggest fishing challenge yet. The intrepid duo, who previously joined forces for The Great Rod Race, series, will be travelling across England and Wales, from Derbyshire to Dorset, in their mutual quest to catch some seriously big fish.
Visiting some of the most spectacular waters in the UK, such as the River Ouse in Buckinghamshire, each episode of Record Breaking Fish will focus on a different species from barbel to zander, and from the popular rainbow trout to the smaller dace. With careful research and extensive local knowledge at their fingertips, the groundwork is complete and there is a strong possibility that Matt and Mick will find the larger varieties of the fish they pursue. However, nothing is guaranteed and the drama and tension builds as the enthusiastic pair have just two days to hook themselves a winner.
Meeting some of the current record holders along the way, Matt and Mick learn more about the fish they are hoping to catch and the when’s and where’s of how each record was achieved. For example, although the mirror carp is one of the biggest fish in UK waters, they are excellent fighters and are not the easiest to capture, making British Record holder Lee Jackson’s 61 lb 7oz catch at Conningbrook Lake a truly magnificent feat. Whether Matt & Mick can match his record remains to be seen, as they take a trip to Monument Lake in Shifnall, near Shropshire to find out.
Elsewhere, our optimistic duo fish for the shy but ferocious pike on the River Wye in Monmouthshire; the obliging yet challenging tench at Horseshoe Lake in Gloucestershire and the beautiful savage the zander at Grafham Reservoir in Cambridgeshire.
Fun is also had in Wales, as Matt and Mick go night-fishing for Sea Trout on the River Towey – a new experience for Mick, who is very pleased with the outcome.
Matt Hayes is widely regarded as one of the best all-round anglers in Britain and Mick Brown is known to be a predatory angler with an excellent knowledge of UK fishing sites. Join them both on Discovery Home & Leisure from mid April 2004 as the challenge awaits them.
