Perseverance pays as big zander strikes

GRAHAM Mann’s decision to stay for an extra 30 minutes of fishing paid off when he latched into this impressive 15lb 6oz zander.

The 65-year-old made the most of ideal conditions on the River Severn at Worcester to cast a Fox Rage Zander Pro lure in hope of a fish – but after two and a half hours he was still to get a bite.

Persevering, Graham cast his lure into an area of slack water – where something big lay in wait to snap it up.

He told Angling Times: “At first I thought it was a pike, but then the head-shaking started and the fish stayed deep. I knew then that it was a big zander.”