While fishing in France, a British man caught a monster-sized carp nicknamed “the carrot,” which weighed nearly 70 pounds.
Andy Hackett, 42, made the discovery while fishing Bluewater lakes in Champagne, France. The 20 year old female carp weighed 67.5lbs.
The catch is prized by anglers because of its coloration, as most giant carp are pale or brownish, USA Today reported.
“I knew it was a big fish when it took my bait and went side to side and up and down with it,” Hackett told the Daily Mail. “Then it came to the surface at 30 or 40 meters and I saw it was orange.”
“It was great to catch him, but it was also pure luck,” he added.
MINNESOTA MAN’S RECORD FISH CERTIFIED MONTHS AFTER CATCH AND RELEASE: “STILL OUT THERE”
Andy Hackett, 42, holds a nearly 70lb carp, nicknamed ‘The Carrott’, caught in France.
(Blue water lakes)
He said he spent 25 minutes catching the fish.
Bluewater Lakes is a major carp fishery, according to the paper. It’s so popular that guests must book well in advance.
“The Carrot” was released back into the lake. A video posted by the fishery shows Hackett holding the giant fish in his arms before throwing it back into the water.
The giant fish was stocked 15 years ago “as something different for anglers looking to catch a catch,” Bluewater Lakes spokesman Jason Cowler told FTW Outdoors.
“He’s not the lake’s greatest resident, but by far the most outstanding,” he said.
Orange carp were caught about nine times last fishing season, Cowler said. In February, he passed the 60-kilogram mark.
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“I always knew The Carrot was in there, but I never thought I’d get it,” Hackett said.
