An Essex amateur angler has landed what is believed to be the largest fish caught on a rod in freshwater in Britain near Maldon. 

Darren Reitz, 34, from Rainham said it took him and three others 50 minutes to haul the massive 143lb (64.4kg) catfish out of the water at Chigborough Lakes nature reserve.

Mr Reitz, a dustman, told the Daily Telegraph: “I’d just changed my bait after a long day of catching nothing and it was raining quite a bit, which puts pressure on the water so the fish come up to the surface".

"My friends started panicking as it was clearly a big fish and they were telling me how I should pull it out.

"I did it how I wanted to, and about 50 mins later I pulled that huge catfish out of the water."

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Impressive - Darren Reitz with the fish he named 'Scar'Impressive - Darren Reitz with the fish he named 'Scar' (Image: Chigborough Farms)

Paul Tallowin, owner of Chigborough Farm where the catfish was caught, revealed he arrived at 10.30pm and helped weigh the fish which required two landing nets and a sling. 

Paul said that fishers were more "professional" these days with their medical kits meaning "they are put back in a lot better condition than found". 

Paul added that the catfish is likely to be about 45, as the last type of that catfish stopped breeding in 1982.

Both Paul and his wife and co-owner Sam, said it would be good if the publicity meant that more people get out and about. 

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Nature - Paul and Sam Tallowin help children and disadvantaged people and more through giving them access to natureNature - Paul and Sam Tallowin help children and disadvantaged people and more through giving them access to nature (Image: Chigborough Farm)

Sam revealed in their 14 lakes, they have "other fish that are bigger" and that the records for catfish only started last year to discourage people illegally catching and keeping catfish. 

Paul added: "We would like to encourage people, alongside charities, to encourage people into fishing.

"To help people get out of social media and technology to cure some of their ills."

While the lucky fisherman Darren added: "I’m over the moon, I can’t stop talking about it, you never think you will catch something like that."

"And that is the joy of fishing, I guess I was just in the right place at the right time."