‘It was like a speedboat’... ANGLER ON BATTLE WITH 400LB SEAL FOR HIS CATCH
‘HE STOLE AT LEAST 20 FISH OFF MY LINE ...BUT I’VE NEVER SEEN ONE CHASE A LINE BEFORE’
THIS is the jaw-dropping moment an angler is filmed snatching a fish from the jaws of a gigantic seal.
The video was shot on Anglesey and shows experienced fisherman Dion Parry frantically reeling in the fish to stop it becoming dinner for the massive mammal.
Viewers can see the seal racing after the fish close to the surface of the water “like a speedboat” with its huge bulk clearly visible to onlookers.
The animal only gave up when it reached the rocky shoreline as expert angler Mr Parry pulled the fish out of the water.
After realising it had lost out, the seal, Caernarfon man Mr Parry described as being between seven and eight foot long and weighing at least 300 pounds, is seen diving back into the water before swimming away.
And if you’re feeling sorry for the super-sized sea creature at this point there’s no need – Mr Parry revealed the seal had been stealing Pollocks from his line all day prior to that picture perfect encounter.
The 33-year-old father of two was fishing on the rocks just off Rhosneigr, Anglesey at around 5pm on Sunday, August 16 when his partner Sioned Bohana caught the moment on video.
Mr Parry, who is recovering from a heart attack 10 weeks prior, said he was shocked to see the seal chase the line.
“It was a big heavy creature, at least seven or eight-foot and probably 300 or 400 pounds,” he said. “It moved at some speed, it was like a speedboat but I didn’t think he [the seal] would come on the rocks.”
“You normally don’t see seals around the rocks but it’s mackerel season so it’s easy food for them. The anglers bring and the seals lines.
“That seal had been there all day, it stole at least 20 pollocks off my line, I only got three or four out the water. But I’ve never seen it chase the line before.
“My partner was scared to come down onto the rocks so she was in a perfect position to get it on video from where she was standing.
“People commented on the video saying, ‘there is smoke coming off that line’, I reeled it in so quick.”
The most common type of seal in North Wales is the grey seal which can grow to 3.5 meters long and at fully grown can weigh up to 400kg.
Marine experts warn that while they’re generally “playful and curious” animals, they have been known to attack and even bite humans and should be observed from a distance. in the fish target our