A British angler is celebrating after catching one of the world’s largest goldfish at a fishery in France.
The enormous orange fish, appropriately nicknamed The Carrot, weighed an astonishing 67 pounds and 4 ounces.
It is a hybrid of a leather carp and a koi carp, a variety traditionally known for its bright orange coloring.
The Carrot is believed to be more than 20 years old. It was introduced into a lake at a French fishery run by British owner Jason Cowler when it was still young.
Over the years, however, the giant fish has remained extremely difficult to catch and is rarely seen outside the water.
Angler Andy Hackett, 42, spent around 25 minutes fighting to bring it in. He was delighted when the fish was finally weighed at just under five stone.
The catch weighed around 30 pounds more than the fish previously considered the world’s largest goldfish, which was caught by Jason Fugate in Minnesota, United States, in 2019.
It was also more than twice the weight of a 30-pound bright orange koi carp caught by Italian angler Raphael Biagini in southern France in 2010.
Hackett, a company director from Kidderminster in Worcestershire, caught the remarkable fish at Bluewater Lakes in Champagne, France.
Speaking about his unexpected achievement, Hackett said:
“I always knew The Carrot was in there but never thought I would catch it.
“I knew it was a big fish when it took my bait and went off side to side and up and down with it. Then it came to the surface 30 or 40 yards out and I saw that it was orange.
“It was brilliant to catch it but it was also sheer luck.”
After posing for a photograph with his extraordinary catch, Hackett carefully returned the fish to the lake, ensuring it was safely released. He later celebrated the memorable experience with a cup of tea.
Fishery manager Jason Cowler also shared his excitement about the catch.
“We put The Carrot in about 20 years ago as something different for the customers to fish for. Since then it has grown and grown but it doesn’t often come out. She is very elusive.
“She is in excellent health and condition. Congratulations to Andy on a great catch.”
