Searching for the UK's BIGGEST Catfish!

[@hannouille]

John has such main character energy 🥹

[@tomwilshaw]

😂 he made the film

[@kinaputtene9517]

You're an amazing creator man!! I just love your storytelling and your energy throughout the vid, love all your content so far and keep them commin!!!

[@tomwilshaw]

Means the absolute world to read comments like yours, keeps the fire burning!! Really appreciate it, I’ll do my best to do just that!

[@keitechswingimpact1018]

Spam may be okay. But the best are squid from the freezer. Preferably with tentacles. You let them freeze and then leave them in the sun for half a day until they really stink. This is how my guide friends from Spain and other friends regularly catch very large catfish. They love it. A bundle of dewworms is best. The leader is simple. At the end of it a large circle hook with warmer and tentacles and about 15 cm above a treble hook on which the rest of the squid and warmer are placed. The squid attracts the catfish with its smell and the worms with vibrations that the catfish can detect very well with their lateral line organ. In the river in front of it is an underwater target that stands in the current and again emits vibrations. I regularly catch catfish with it. From small to 2.26 (my PB on natural bait). Have you ever tried this? Greetings

[@vinnyrussell3796]

The runs lost were for sure due to the hookbait beong too close to the hook in my fishing i allow at least an inch between the hook and the bait on the hair to allow the hook to drop and set in its mouth also fishing running rigs are more effective i have found and rigs between 12-18” in length

[@caderyder3266]

This is probably the best video Ive seen in a long time, love your content mate keep up the hard work and the benefit's will follow. Looking forward till the next video.

[@tomwilshaw]

Aw thank you so much!!!!! I was nervous this one wasn’t as exciting as my others, but I had a lot of fun making it and I hope that comes through :)

[@nickimboden8623]

Great video and im glad you caught your big fish ^^ just a quick tip from me as a specialised wels catfish angler with over 10 years experience only doing that with a lot of fish over 2m caught in Switzerland. Use at minimum 2/0 single hooks and a lead with at least 200g, so the fish runs in the weight and hooks itself a little bit already which leads to less fish losing. Thats why we even use 2kg stones and not leads 😂 then a 0.8mm leader and 0.50mm main line with a 200lbs swivel and youre good to go even for the 100kg fish ;)

[@davemanton5774]

Wrecks Reefs, Estuary, snorkelling, filleting, and your son, obviously the better fisherman . Thanks for sharing. really nice.

[@fishandchill.]

I cant imagine how much editing and filming a video of yours takes, must be hard to find a good balance between fishing and filming when on the bank. Keep it up, the results are always amazing! 🙌

[@tomwilshaw]

Thanks so much :) it is a hard balance to strike, something normally has to suffer, be it the fishing or the film, and I usually choose to make a better film with worse fishing, but thankfully on this occasion it came good!!!

[@rippinglipsadventures]

More amazing storytelling. If you want to share the thought process and preparation you go through to make these simple storylines epic, I'm game to watch that one. I only wish my storytelling skills were half as good for my fishing content. Everything is so entertaining even if it maybe wasn't so much in real life... ha, ha, ha! You make loading a wheelbarrow fun and narrate it all as you go. So cool.

[@tomwilshaw]

Hahaha, I strike to make barrow loading scenes as entertaining as possible 😂 what a lovely comment, thanks so much! I just try my best to inject how I was feeling at that time into the edit, it’s hard sometimes, but always worth it :)

[@Polarian1]

Cracking, inspiring vid mate. Thanks so much for sharing! That cheeky goose tho lol.

[@josephquinn7356]

Another awesome video! I live in the US and I’ve only been (UK-style) carp fishing for a little over a year now, but it’s amazing (and encouraging) to see how much “your” angling skills have improved in such a short time👍 Not to mention your video editing and narrating skills are through the preverbal roof!!! Love your content - Joe

[@keitechswingimpact1018]

In lakes, if you are allowed to fish with live baits and want to, you can also offer the bait so that it is on the surface almost all the time, which of course creates a lot of noise and attracts catfish. However, this only works at night and in shallow places. But then you have to be aware that the fish doesn't just live with one or two hooks in its body, but is scared to death all the time as it naturally tries to escape...

[@lowspeedhighdrag566]

It's funny. In the US I use huge 7/0 Circle hooks with big chunks of cut bait for our channel catfish. Things are much different in the UK catfish wise.

[@amedeomagrini4917]

The wels catfish world record is also huge its like 300lbs or more

[@tonycard5644]

I used to fish a southern UK day ticket water many years ago, it was heavily stocked with cats and carp, ironically they had a resident greylag goose too! I used to catch cats regularly, but made several observations over time, the week of the full moon I'd be catching cats in huge numbers, the week of the new moon I'd catch the bigger fish. Fishing over a spodded bed of trout pellets, and I mean huge oil slick above the baited area type bed, fishing a single pop up, overweighted, on a 4 inch snakeskin hinge rig, with a strong size 4 hook, 2 ounce running pear lead, all wrapped up in a pva bag full of pellets, tied into an aerodynamic ball for casting the 100 yards or so we were fishing at, braided mainline, 35lb nylon leader to take the shock of casting 3 oz plus pva bags. The cats were not interested in the pop up, a cork ball would have had the same effect it was just a confidence thing, some of the guys i fished with were a little dubious of not having an edible bait on the hook, but the fact remains they were just in the baited area hoovering pellets, we had to be careful of where we held fish for photos, trails of liquid trout pellets running down the bivvy suit is never a good look 😂 Anyways great vid, good luck in your future adventures, i hope some of the information I've posted can help you put a monster on the bank, the British record was 62lbs at the time, they have gotten bigger since I was making waves in the angling fraternity but I'm 100% certain that feeding habits have not!

[@R1ckyfrankl1n]

When using spam as bait I have always found cooking it in garlic granules and chilli flakes helps. Just cook the ends that the hair goes through to allow the flavour to flow out and whittle it down a bit so it’s not cube shaped. Everyone uses cubes

[@tomwilshaw]

Trimming it down to something other than cube is a seriously good shout! Never thought of that, I’ll give it a go at some point :)

[@keitechswingimpact1018]

Spam may be okay. But the best are squid from the freezer. Preferably with tentacles. You let them freeze and then leave them in the sun for half a day until they really stink. This is how my guide friends from Spain and other friends regularly catch very large catfish. They love it. A bundle of dewworms is best. The leader is simple. At the end of it a large circle hook with warmer and tentacles and about 15 cm above a treble hook on which the rest of the squid and warmer are placed. The squid attracts the catfish with its smell and the worms with vibrations that the catfish can detect very well with their lateral line organ. In the river in front of it is an underwater target that stands in the current and again emits vibrations. I regularly catch catfish with it. From small to 2.26 (my PB on natural bait). Have you ever tried this? Greetings

[@gavinwilliams9367]

Just found this channel and I feel like I’m going to be here a long time. Largemouth bass and saugeye are what I always go for here in the US. Keep up the good work!

[@tomwilshaw]

Thank you Gavin!! I’d love to fish for Bass in the states one day, although I’ve never heard of Saugeye, I’ll have to do some reading!

[@lesfranklin1318]

What was the lake you fished in this video, and what size does the catfish go up to there?

[@alanmasters6666]

You guys should check out stubs pond they have an 80lb cat in there. Me an my pals spent 5 days there I had a 44 45 42 various carp 23and a half biggest carp I had. I hit the 80lb and it yanked my rod to the right nearly broke my arm snapped my rod line hook everything demolished. Absolute monster. My pals all caught 4s and 5 cats no one blanks there. This was 2018 so not been back. I'm not even sure if it's still open. If it is get down there you will go home broken. Tight lines boys. Peace

[@alanmasters6666]

Once I caught my first cat carp didn't do it for Mr anymore. Pure power takes every ounce of strength. My favourite bait never fails chorizo mini squid and a sweet corn under the chorizo. POWER

[@adamchumbleyfishinimpossible]

Great video, really enjoyed watching that. Thank you for doing it and posting for us.

[@tomwilshaw]

My absolute pleasure! Thank you for watching it! 😁

[@ISOM-gt2gk]

If you ever decide to come to the US there are rumors of Catfish at KY Lake by the damn the size of VW Bugs. I live in florida and have always heard rumors about how big the freshwater fish are there.

[@tcox8729]

Love spam for catfishing!! Also I can't wait to try out my new daiwa gs ltd 4000 reel on my 12ft rod for catfishing

[@aquaticcolledgefishing]

Loving John! I found I caught more Cats on a 15mm yellow wafter than on convential catfish baits. Great story telling as always 👏 👌

[@tomwilshaw]

Haha he was a star!!! And yeah it’s strange right?! Not at all what I was expecting, but I’m glad we managed to figure it out in time :)

[@aquaticcolledgefishing]

@tomwilshaw yeh it's very strange. But I've watched underwater videos where the catfish flick up the hook bait to eat it... and I think the smaller baits flick up easier... u need to do an insta 360 video in catfish next! Keep up the excellent content as always Tom 👌

[@thierrythier2525]

Amazing video, it’s crazy why this hasn’t got the recognition it deserves.

[@tomwilshaw]

I think a lot of people just don’t like/understand catfishing! To be honest, I wasn’t so sure about it until I tried it, but after that fight I’m utterly converted haha!

[@Skillhero-zo6xy]

What month was this video recorded?(askin since im planning to go fishing after catfish and i dont know if they will be feeding during the end of October) cheers🙂

[@tomwilshaw]

Hiya! I’m pretty sure I filmed this in April, I was told that’s the absolute best time to go after them as they ‘hibernate’ during Winter. If we have a warm September I’d expect they’ll still be feeding for you 🤞🤞🤞

[@Skillhero-zo6xy]

@@tomwilshaw thanks bro, tight lines 💪🏻

[@stevenmoses5807]

There's some big uns at cudmore fisheries in stoke on Trent...

[@tomwilshaw]

I’ll have to check it out! Cheers Steven :)

[@TimmyTaigen]

Can you use cut bait like in the states?

[@logomarkz]

Yes. Cutbait, fillets, big live bait, even big lures all work well for wells cat. They are a lot more aggressive and predatory then people think.

[@ryanlotgd]

people always told me catfish was slow and sluggish movers once hooked ive had 4 since then and every one has gone off light a freight train and felt unstopable at times great fun though

[@nox5555]

Only people who never had one on the hook would say that. even a smaller 60lb Wels will beat you up.

[@ryandent7318]

The timing of this! Literally just looked for a new vid!👏🏼👏🏼

[@tomwilshaw]

Well that’s ideal!! Haha

[@TheEssexAnglerYT]

Great video mate, you should have a go at houchins for their big cats and zed's as well! Although they don't have a John!

[@tomwilshaw]

Pfttt if there’s no Jon there ain’t no Tom! 😂 cheers mate, I’ll have a look!

[@TheEssexAnglerYT]

@@tomwilshaw I could come and out fish you for Zander on lures ;) (probably not)

[@johnathonandrew8952]

Great to finally see you catch your target species. Great vlog once again

[@tomwilshaw]

Thanks so much Johnathon!

[@nigelarkwright8132]

Perseverance pays off. Well done

[@tomwilshaw]

Thank you Nigel :) it always does, eventually!

[@MrLörres-d1z]

I love catching catfish and i got a 55 pound catfish and i hope you have so much bigger fish in your career❤ love this video and you are getting a sub❤❤

[@IrishHunter84]

Well done Tom, next trip....the Ebro 😆😉

[@tomwilshaw]

😳 now that would be a level up!

[@Fishingforcarpandcatfish]

What bait was you using

[@tomwilshaw]

Started on large halibut pellets, caught on squid pop-ups with a fish meal boilie beneath it, snowman style :)

[@cascott1973]

I so identify with your comments at around the 12 minute mark. Hooked a cat at a local lake 3 years ago, got it to the net twice before losing it. Researched catching them and have tried on multiple occasions, but no joy yet. To rub salt in the wound, 3 times I fished with friends who were trying the lake for the first time, and they all caught. Unfortunately there is no night fishing allowed and also a close season in place, but I will be back at it in June.

[@tomwilshaw]

Keep pursuing it, it’ll feel all the better when you finally do land it, and what a story that will be! 😁

[@michaeldhenry]

Leave a bit more of a gap on the hair rig and you’ll hook up mate, also live baits are the one for bites of not allowed then worms👍🏻

[@harleyraven58]

what rig did you use ?

[@tomwilshaw]

Started with an upscale hair rig, and then moved onto a Multi Rig which ended up doing the business 😁😁

[@jadearnold2634]

Your videos are incredible mate! 👏🏻 what a fish

[@tomwilshaw]

Thanks so so much!!! 😁 I was made up!

[@marcelblomjous]

Love your videos, keep up bringing the good stuff!!

[@tomwilshaw]

Thanks Marcel! Appreciate that so much, I’ll do my best!

[@nikcname]

More vid pls, enjoying the fishing vid in uk

[@tomwilshaw]

I’ll be posting monthly this year, that’s my goal 😁 thank you so much!

[@Josh-qd1rc]

I love your videos I have been watching you for awhile and this is one of your better videos. Please do more about cat fishing ❤

[@tomwilshaw]

Thanks so much Josh!!!! That’s a lovely compliment, what about it was particularly better? :)

[@Josh-qd1rc]

@@tomwilshaw I am just a really big fan of cat fishing and you so I was a nice surprise bc I’m am currently on a fishing trip 😂 but keep up the good work man would love to see more videos by you 🩷

[@ryanb8020]

Willowcroft fisheries near Peterborough best place for catfish

[@robhayter484]

What’s this lake called ?

[@samuelgarrod8327]

Just saw that a 140+lb Wels has been caught recently in the UK.

[@tomwilshaw]

I saw it too! What a lump!!!!!!

[@colinlandess2735]

Loving the Jeremy wade style commentary bro

[@tomwilshaw]

Haha, I’m loving that comparison!

[@adamhousden6349]

large catfish hooks.....much stronger than a carp hook...try pallatrax....they are the nutz of hooks

[@excilien127]

Just caught my first ever carp with hair rig on fake corn, 18lb pound grass carp

[@tomwilshaw]

That’s epic!!!!! That’s a serious fish! Well done mate 😁

[@thetippingpoint2832]

Your voice reminds me of when they do voice overs on documentary . Your content is very good

[@tomwilshaw]

Haha I’ll take that as a compliment 😁 thank you so much!

[@MCstiffy2377]

best upcoming fishing youtuber easily ❤

[@tomwilshaw]

That’s extremely high praise, I’ll do my best to try and earn it!! :) thanks man

[@reesepreston2593]

Banging vid yet again mate. Whats your bros boat called?

[@tomwilshaw]

Thanks Reese!!! I’ll ask him and get back to you 😁 I think it’s a Ripton, but will check!

[@reesepreston2593]

@@tomwilshawnice one geeza

[@martinredman9402]

"Mostly nocturnal" is an over generalisation. I have only fished 3 night sessions for 1 3lb cat. I have caught well over 100 cats from a number of different venues, during the day. By far the most effective bait, float fished live baits.

[@keitechswingimpact1018]

Are you fishing in a river/channel with a strong/weak current or in a lake? I only really fish big games but at home I almost always fish for catfish or pike (guest only with artificial lures). Otherwise I also go seat fishing sometimes. Yes, live baits are very good, but mainly because they attract the catfish with their movements. What other waters do you fish in? I also regularly go catfish fishing in Spain, Italy and France. There are alternatives that catch much better than live baits, depending on the conditions of the water. Where do you fish for catfish in England? Do you have a good catfish stock? Because England and catfish fishing are not exactly well known ;) I'm interested in that... :]

[@hasansegundo9959]

Nice video mate! Still on the top of my list to catch a catfish🙏🙏

[@tomwilshaw]

Definitely give it a go!!! It was such an experience, I’d certainly recommend it 😁

[@quintenveldman8643]

i thought i saw the vid before but then there was nothing being bit off thought there was no vid untill now😁

[@tomwilshaw]

Haha sorry for the confusion!! I had to re-upload as there was a glitch in the video :) all fixed now though!

[@iansim6719]

where is this?

[@tomwilshaw]

Winton’s fishery in Sussex :)

[@trfishing4142]

Brilliant video ! What lake is this ?

[@tomwilshaw]

This is Winton’s fishery in Sussex :-)

[@Carpkingpro]

Where is this venue

[@tomwilshaw]

In Sussex :)

[@simonashmead3162]

What lake is that

[@tomwilshaw]

Winton’s Fishery, Sussex :)

[@mikeevonyna5322]

Eating duck on johns turf didn't think that through lol

[@Tjw1]

Biggest is in the River Severn I believe

[@cascott1973]

Oh I'm not giving up. I could go somewhere with a better chance, but that will not be the same reward emotionally.

[@MartynsAnglingAdventures]

Enjoyable watch buddy!

[@tomwilshaw]

Glad you enjoyed Martyn 😁

[@Knabbelbaars]

yess! i already know this is a good video! keep going👌

[@tomwilshaw]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@ninjascoob]

You wasn’t getting runs because of a smaller hook it was probably because they preferred the boilies that you paired with them 😉

[@tomwilshaw]

Could well be in hindsight! Although the flavours were not all that different to my one rod that I did use two boilies on, so so strange!

[@ninjascoob]

@@tomwilshaw the syndicate I’m on they absolutely love halibut pellets. I’ve caught on other baits including naturals but the catch rate is much higher on pellets. They obviously like the boilies as the carp anglers probably put kilos in

[@matthewisthebest8152]

@@ninjascoobyeh switched right onto the boilies your bang on

[@ninjascoob]

@@matthewisthebest8152 awesome! Some of the catting community get so hung up on just fishing traditional methods that sometimes I think they are reducing their catch rate by not switching to baits like boilies or pellets. On another lake I fished years ago they absolutely loved mainline active-8. The carp wouldn’t touch them

[@adamhousden6349]

bad fishing, always make sure you have enough line on the spool before going

[@Robertosborn420]

Dude If you want catch cats try Jimmy's lake in Essex and you won't be disappointed. Talk to Steve

[@tomwilshaw]

I’ll look into it! Thanks 😁

[@ishopinamsterdam]

Amazing video mate 💪 your work is superb. If you ever want some nice Belgian canal carp just hit me up. I would love to show you around my stomping grounds and maybe put you on a nice Kempisch kanaal 40.

[@connorsmith6983]

What do you use to make this awesome thumb nails mate?

[@tomwilshaw]

Aw cheers Connor! I use Photoshop :)

[@josephscott4997]

The head on that pike was huge😱

[@tomwilshaw]

Right!!!!! I imagine with the time of year it was likely spawned out, but in its prime that could easily be a 20!

[@josephscott4997]

Yeah

[@blackline66]

Wasn't this posted earlier??? 😊

[@tomwilshaw]

Haha good eye! It was, but frustratingly there was an editing error so I had to reupload :)

[@danielcoppock]

Never thought id see a pike caght on spam insane hahaha you will never do that again legit world record for pike on spam

[@tomwilshaw]

We were shocked!!!!!!!!! It gave a proper bite and everything!

[@MaurizioFishing]

Come to Italy if you like Monster CatFish !

[@tomwilshaw]

I’d love to ☺️

[@Jake-y2y]

I love the duck

[@tomwilshaw]

He’s my fave too 😁 I wish I could take him with me everywhere I fish

[@PI7ABR3D]

That's a rippton boat. Got a near new one for sale if anyone wants lol

[@tomwilshaw]

Haha! Selling in the comments section, love it 😂

[@tadhghayden7601]

The more the tech the less the intrinsic real angler satisfaction...

[@tomwilshaw]

I kind of agree! I think there’s a place for it, it’s down to the angler and what makes them happy at the end of the day, but on a personal level there’s nothing more satisfying than that perfect cast :)

[@DannyFR30]

Fishing for jimmy savile?

[@tomwilshaw]

that’s both very funny and not funny at all 😂

[@MR_Peter_Ap]

I can’t imagine eating spam

[@excilien127]

He’s disappointed catching a monster like?!?!?!!? I’ll take that pike over a cat any day

[@tomwilshaw]

Haha, hey when you’ve got a target in mind, it’s definitely confusing to catch something else! Beast of a pike though :)

[@excilien127]

@@tomwilshaw For sure a beast, and thank you for getting me into carp fishing. My goal is to catch one this summer

[@ronniemoysey8854]

You ate John ?

[@tomwilshaw]

👀

[@TheCmmdk]

I dont even fish. And yes i subscribed. 😂

[@joeking57]

Wasnt you carls camera man

[@tomwilshaw]

I still am 😁 I make my own videos when I have free time haha

[@kid903]

Pull yo pants up cuhh😂

[@martinredman9402]

Your baits are hair rigged, so the size of hook plays no part with the cat choosing to take the bait. Use the biggest, strongest hooks. You need to upgrade your rods and reels from carp gear. Cats will suffer if they are played for too long.

[@HughMan-b7x]

Well, you're in the wrong lake for a start. Longbows and those 45 scws are not really 130+lb catfish material. Great for carp, not so much for cats. And please for the love of God stop shining lights into the water. Not sure where you did your homework, but fishing up against snags with underpowered gear is a recipe for disaster.

[@tomwilshaw]

It didn’t go so badly for us :-)

[@LeaSmart-ms7lt]

🎉🎉

[@Jake-y2y]

Jon

[@uniq7778]

why'd you lie catfish don't have razor sharp teeth lol its just like sand paper that's all. if the did have razor sharp teeth how come noodling is a thing? get your facts right before you lie to the young ones

[@leem25]

calm down little baby :)

[@uniq7778]

@@leem25 lol look who’s taking at least I know my facts

[@tomwilshaw]

My facts are correct 😁 it’s a slightly different species here in the UK, and they do indeed have hundreds of tiny very sharp teeth! They dull slightly as they age, but when young they’re especially pointy

[@uniq7778]

@@tomwilshaw lol sure thing bud

[@davidfisher7541]

He’s new to fishing he probably doesn’t know much about cat fish