Solihull angler Steve Bown has landed a massive 19lb 5oz zander from the River Severn. The 43-year-old, who is an experienced predator angler who has previously landed zander to over 18lb, was boat fishing on the lower river when the big fish took a float-legered bleak deadbait fished in conjunction with size 6 Owner treble hooks and a 20lb wire trace.

Steve, who was voted Pike Angler of the Year in 2010, says that he always uses small baits for zander because the mouth of even a huge zander is only around the size of a small pike’s. He took the massive fish from a mid-river snag. The big river has become famous with zander anglers since it produced the current British record of 21lb 5oz to James Benefield in 2007. James has been fishing pellet for barbel and was was the first to admit it was a fluke capture. However Steve says that the very big fish are extremely elusive.