British Sea Fish Records
ANGLER’S MAIL magazine often get asked about British records. Here, online, is the sea record list as it stands with each species having a boat and shore category.
Weights are in pounds, ounces and drams with the angler and then venue.
The list is run by the British Record Fish Commitee. Should you, or a friend, catch a fish near or over the British record weight (listed below) your best bet is to contact the friendly Angler’s Mail magazine newsdesk, exclusively, without delay.
Our contact phone numbers (office hours, Mon-Fri) are 0203 148 4160 or 0203 148 4161.
Email pictures, details and tel. number (as with any catch report) to: anglersmail@ipcmedia.com
BRITISH RECORD SEA FISH LIST (correct at December 14, 2012)
ALMACO JACK (Seriola rivioliana)
B 1 14 3 2012 Brent Hanley, St Martins, Guernsey
S Vacant
ANGLER FISH (Lophius piscatorius)
B 94 12 4 1985 S Neill, Belfast Lough, N.I.
S 68 2 0 1967 H Legerton, Canvey Island, Essex
BASS (Dicentrarchus labrax)
B 19 9 2 1987 P McEwan, Herne Bay, Kent
S 19 12 2012 John Locker, Portsmouth dockyard (pictured)
BLACK FISH (Centrolophus niger)
B 3 10 8 1972 J Semple, off Heads of Ayr, Scotland
S 5 14 8 1998 S Ostler, Aldbrough Beach, E. Yorks
BLUEMOUTH (Helicolenus dactylopterus)
B 3 2 8 1976 Anne Lyngholm, Loch Shell, Scotland
S Vacant
BLUE RUNNER (Caranx crysos)
B Vacant
S 2 8 12 2007 Nick Rogers, Cornwall
BOGUE (Boops boops)
B 1 13 0 1981 K McBride, Eddystone Reef
S 1 15 4 1978 S Torode, Pembroke, Guernsey, C.I.
BONITO (Sarda sarda)
B 8 13 4 1969 J Parnell, Torbay, South Devon
S 2 10 5 1996 P Blanning, St Brides Bay, Wales
BREAM, Black (Spondyliosom cantharus)
B 6 14 4 1977 J Garlick, S Devon wreck
S 6 8 6 2001 Rosanne Guille, Creux Harbour, Sark, CI
BREAM, Couch’s Sea (Pagrus pagrus)
B 6 9 7 2007 Raymond Fallaize, Guernsey
S 3 4 7 2008 Simon Newton, Belgruve Bay, Guernsey
BREAM, Gilthead (Sparus aurata)
B 9 15 8 1991 C Bradford, Salcombe Estuary, Devon
S 10 5 8 1995 Colin Carr, Salcombe Estuary, Devon
BREAM, Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus)
B 3 6 12 1997 C Stone, off Newquay coast, Cornwall
S 1 8 7 2001 Phillip Jewell, Helford River, Cornwall
BREAM, Ray’s (Brama brama)
B 6 3 13 1978 J Holland, Barra Head, Scotland
S 7 15 12 1967 G Walker, Crimdon Beach, Hartlepool
BREAM, Red (Pagellus bogaraveo)
B 9 8 12 1974 B Reynolds, off Mevagissey, Cornwall
S 4 4 7 1979 A Salmon, Alderney Lighthouse, CI
BREAM, White Sea (Diplous sargus)
B Vacant
S 2 6 14 2011 Bryan Swain, Jersey
BRILL (Scophthalmus rhombus)
B 16 0 0 1950 A Fisher, Derby Haven, Isle of Man
S 7 7 8 1980 B Fletcher, Vason Bay, Guernsey, CI
BULL HUSS (Scyliorhinus stellaris)
B 22 4 0 1986 M Hall, Minehead, Somerset
S 19 14 0 1992 G Ebbs, Pwllheli Beach, Wales
CATFISH (Anarhichas lupus)
B 26 4 0 1989 S Ward, Whitby, Yorkshire
S 12 12 8 1978 G Taylor, Stonehaven, Scotland
COALFISH (Pollachius virens)
B 37 5 0 1986 D Brown, Eddystone wreck, Cornwall
S 24 11 12 1995 M Cammish, Filey Brigg, Yorkshire
COD (Gadus morhua)
B 58 6 0 1992 Noel Cook, North Sea, off Whitby
S 44 8 0 1966 B Jones, Tom’s Pt, Barry, Glamorgan
COMBER (Serranus cabrilla)
B 1 13 0 1977 B Phillips, off Mounts Bay, Cornwall
S Vacant
CONGER (Conger conger)
B 133 4 0 1995 V Evans, from wreck, Berry Head, Devon
S 68 8 0 1992 M Larkin, at Devil’s Point, Plymouth
DAB (Limanda limanda)
B 2 12 4 1975 R Islip, Gairlock, Wester Ross, Scotland
S 2 9 8 1936 M Watts, Morfa Beach, Glamorgan
DOGFISH, Black-mouthed (Galeus melastomus)
B 2 14 0 2010 David Craig, Islandmagee, N Ireland
S Vacant
DOGFISH, Lesser Spotted (Scyliorhinus canicula)
B 4 9 0 2005 M Donnelly, Off Fleetwood, Lancs.
S 4 15 3 1988 S Ramsey, Abbey Burnfoot, Scotland
FLOUNDER (Pleuronectes flesus)
B 5 11 8 1956 A G L Cobbledick, Fowey, Cornwall
S 5 7 0 1994 B Sokell, River Teign, Devon
FORKBEARD, Greater (Phycis blennoides)
B 4 11 4 1969 Miss M Woodgate, Falmouth
S 2 2 12 2012 Morgan Parry, Roker, Sunderland (pictured)
GARFISH (Belone belone)
B 3 9 8 1994 A Saunders, Mount Bay, Cornwall
S 3 4 12 1995 F Williams, Porthoustock, Cornwall
GREATER WEAVER (Trachinus draco)
B 2 2 7 1999 R Pope, Porthcurno, Cornwall
S 1 8 10 2002 K Gilbert, Porthcuno, Cornwall
GUINEAN AMBERJACK (Seriola carpenteri)
B 1 7 1 2010 Neil McDonnell, Off West Lundy
S 2 2 9 2004 B Adams, The Lizard, Cornwall
GURNARD, Grey (Eutrigla gurnardus)
B 2 7 0 1976 D Swinbanks, Caliach Pt, Mull, Scotland
S 1 10 8 1989 P El-Balawi, Newquay Headland, Cornwall
GURNARD, Red (Aspitrigla cuculus)
B 2 14 10 2005 G Shields, Porthleven, Cornwall
S 2 10 11 1976 D Johns, Helford River, Cornwall
GURNARD, Streaked (Trigloporus lastoviza)
B 1 2 0 1994 M Adams, Poole Bay, Dorset
S 1 6 8 1971 H Smith, Loch Goil, Scotland
GURNARD, Yellow or Tubfish (Trigla lucerna)
B 11 7 4 1952 C King, Wallasey, Cheshire
S 12 3 0 1976 G Reynolds, Langlan Bay, Wales
HADDOCK (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
B 13 11 4 1978 G Bones, off Falmouth, Cornwall
S 6 12 0 1976 G Stevenson, Loch Goil, Scotland
HADDOCK, Norway (Sebastes viviparus)
B 1 13 8 1975 T Barrett, Southend, Essex
S 1 3 0 1973 F Fawke, Southend Pier, Essex
HAKE (Merluccius merluccius)
B 25 12 14 1997 R Roberts, Loch Etive, Scotland
S 3 8 2 1984 W Parry, Morfa Beach, Port Talbot
HALIBUT (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)
B 234 0 0 1979 C Booth, Dunnet Head, Scotland
S Vacant
HERRING (Clupea harengus)
B 1 1 0 1973 B Barden, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex
S Vacant
JOHN DORY (Zeus faber)
B 11 14 0 1977 J Johnson, Newhaven, E Sussex
S Vacant
LING (Molva molva)
B 59 8 0 1989 J Webster, Bridlington, Yorks
S 21 10 0 1994 K Smith, Seasons Pt, Devon
LUMPSUCKER (Cyclopterus lumpus)
B 10 12 10 1986 J McCoy, River Tyne estuary
S 20 9 12 1987 A Perry, Weymouth Pier, Dorset
MACKEREL (Scomber scombrus)
B 6 2 7 1984 W Chapple, Penberth Cove, Cornwall
S 5 11 14 1982 M Kemp, Berry Head Quarry, Brixham
MACKEREL, Spanish (Scomber japonicus)
B 1 5 8 2008 Kevin Beausire, Sark
S 1 10 10 2003 Sean Coulson, Princess Pier, Devon.
MEGRIM (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis)
B 3 12 8 1973 P Christie, Loch Gairloch, Scotland
S 2 6 1 1987 F Williams, Porthcurno, Cornwall
MONKFISH (Squatina squatina)
B 66 0 0 1965 C Chalk, Shoreham, Sussex
S 52 14 0 1984 G Bishop, Llwyngwril Beach, Gwynedd
MULLET, Golden Grey (Liza aurata)
B 2 14 10 2010 Mark Loewy, Torquay Harbour (pictured)
S 3 8 8 2005 D Woolcombe, Christchurch, Dorset.
MULLET, Red (Mullus surmuletus)
B 3 7 0 1981 M T Hamel, Petils Bay, Guernsey, CI
S 3 15 0 1996 A Wright, Longy Bay, Alderney, CI
MULLET, Thick-lipped Grey (Chelon labrosus)
B 10 1 0 1952 P Libby, Portland, Dorset
S 14 2 12 1979 R Gifford, Aberthaw, Glamorgan
MULLET, Thin-lipped Grey (Liza ramada)
B 6 9 6 2010 Derek Kane, St Aubins Bay, Jersey
S 7 0 0 1991 N Mableson, Saltside, Oulton Broad
OPAH (Lampris guttatus)
B 128 0 0 1973 A Blewett, Mounts Bay, Cornwall
S Vacant
PELAMID, Bonito (Sarda sarda)
B 8 13 4 1969 J Parnell, Torbay, Devon
S 10 5 1 1996 P Blanning, St Brides Bay, Pembroke
PERCH, Dusky (Epinephelus marginatus)
B 28 0 0 1973 D Cope, Durlston Head, Dorset
S Vacant
PLAICE (Pleuronectes platessa
B 10 3 8 1974 H Gardiner, Longa Sound, Scotland
S 8 6 14 1989 R Moore, Southbourne, Dorset
POLLACK (Pollachius pollachius)
B 29 4 0 1987 W Mayes, Dungeness, Kent
S 18 4 0 1986 C Lowe, Abbotsbury, Dorset
POUTING (Trisopterus luscus)
B 5 8 0 1969 R Armstrong, Berry Head, Devon
S 4 9 0 1991 R Andrews, Pembrook, Guernsey
PUFFER FISH (Lagocephalus lagocephalus)
B Vacant
S 6 9 4 1985 S Atkinson, Chesil Beach, Dorset
RAY, Blonde (Raja brachyura)
B 39 10 2 2006 S Underwood, Brixham, Devon
S 32 8 0 1986 C M Reeves, Mannez Targets, Alderney
S 32 8 0 1994 K Frain, Grosnez, Jersey
RAY, Bottle-nosed (Raja alba)
B 76 0 0 1970 R Bulpitt, The Needles, I.O.W
S Vacant
RAY, Cuckoo (Raja naevus)
B 5 11 0 1975 V Morrison, Causeway Coast, N.I
S 4 10 0 1981 C Wills, North Cliffs, Cornwall
RAY, Eagle (Myliobatis aquila)
B 101 14 6 2004 R Lewis, St Catherines Bay, I.O.W
S Vacant
RAY, Electric (Torpedo nobiliana)
B 96 1 0 1975 N Cowley, Dodman Point, Cornwall
S 52 11 0 1980 M Wills, Porthallow, Cornwall
RAY, Marbled Electric (Torpedo marmorata)
B 10 14 11 2010 Gary Crane, Sark, C.I,
S 13 15 11 1990 M E Porter, Jersey (N Coast) CI
RAY, Sandy (Raja circularis)
B Vacant
S Vacant
RAY, Small-eyed (Raja microocellata)
B 17 8 0 7 1991 Mrs S Storey, off Watchet, Somerset
S 15 0 8 1991 N Wood, in South Wales
RAY, Spotted (Raja montagui)
B 8 10 8 1998 A Hodge, Whitsands Bay, Cornwall
S 8 5 0 1980 D Bowen, Mewslade Bay, Wales
RAY, Sting (Dasyatis pastinaca)
B 72 2 0 1996 P Burgess, River Blackwater, Essex
S 67 12 0 2008 Kenneth Canning, Pagham, Sussex
RAY, Thornback (Raja clavata)
B 31 7 0 1981 J Wright, Liverpool Bay
S 22 11 8 2008 Michael Johnsone, Salcombe Estuary
RAY, Undulate (Raja undulata)
B 21 4 8 1987 S Titt, St Aldhelms Hd, Dorset
S 21 4 0 1983 K Skinner, Jersey
ROCKLING, 3-bearded (Gaidropsarus vulgaris)
B 3 4 4 1992 C Hurst, south Isle of Wight
S 3 12 14 2001 M Negus, The Lizard, Cornwall
ROCKLING, Shore (Gaidropsarus mediterraneus)
B 0 12 10 2000 J Simmonds, off Redcliff Point, Dorset
S 1 9 12 1992 D Lane, at Chesil Cove, Dorset
SALMON, Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
B Vacant
S 1 8 1 1977 R McCracken, Petit Port, Guernsey
SCAD (Trachurus trachurus)
B 3 5 3 1978 M Atkins, Torbay, Devon
S 3 0 14 1981 R Dillon, Cockenzie Power Station
SEA SCORPION, Short-spined (Myoxocephalus scorpius)
B 2 3 0 1973 R Stephenson, Scotland
S 2 7 8 1982 B Logan, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear
SHAD, Allis (Alosa alosa)
B Vacant
S 4 12 7 1977 Gerrard, Chesil Beach, Dorset
SHAD, Twaite (Alosa fallax)
B 2 4 2 1985 D Protheroe, Barry, Wales
S 2 12 0 1978 J Martin, Garlieston, Scotland
SHARK, Blue (Prionace glauca)
B 218 0 0 1959 N Sutcliffe, Looe, Cornwall
S Vacant
SHARK, Mako (Isurus oxyrinchus)
B 500 0 0 1971 Mrs J Yallop, Eddystone Lighthouse
S Vacant
SHARK, Porbeagle (Lamna nasus)
B 507 0 0 1993 C Bennett, Dunnet Head, Scotland
S Vacant
SHARK, Six-gilled (Hexanchus griseus)
B 9 8 0 1976 F Beeton, Penlee Pt, Plymouth
S Vacant
SHARK, Thresher (Alopias vulpinus)
B 323 0 0 1982 S Mills, Nab Tower, Portsmouth
S Vacant
SKATE, Common (Raja batis)
B 227 0 0 1986 R Banks, Tobermory, Inner Hebrides
S 169 6 0 1994 G MacKenzie, Loch Roag, Isle of Lewis
SMOOTHHOUND, Starry (Mustelus asterias)
B 28 2 0 1998 A Bowering, Minehead, Bristol Channel
S 23 2 0 1972 D Carpenter, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex
SMOOTHHOUND (Mustelus mustelus)
B 28 0 0 1969 A Chilvers, Heacham, Norfolk
S 20 3 0 2000 P Orchard, Hillhead, Hampshire
SOLE (Solea solea)
B 4 6 0 2005 M Le Moignan, Lepe Beach, Solent (pictured)
S 6 8 10 1991 N Guilmoto, Alderney
SOLE, Lemon (Microstomus kitt)
B 3 4 14 2006 G Newcombe, Teignmouth, Devon.
S 2 7 11 1980 W Callister, Victoria Pier, I.O.M
SPURDOG (Squalus acanthias)
B 21 3 7 1977 P Barrett, Porthleven, Cornwall
S 16 12 8 1964 R Legg, Chesil Beach, Dorset
SUNFISH (Mola mola)
B 108 0 0 1976 T Sisson, Saundersfoot, Wales
S 49 4 0 1976 M Merry, Fisherman’s Cover, Cornwall
TADPOLE-FISH (Raniceps raninus)
B 1 6 4 2003 A Gray, mouth of River Tyne.
S 1 12 12 2005 D McCormick, Bangor Harbour.
TOPE (Gaeorhinus galeus)
B 82 8 0 1991 R Chatfield, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex
S 66 6 0 2010 Kevin Legge, Baggy Point, N Devon (pictured)
TORSK (Brosme brosme)
B 15 12 11 2005 H Foster, Mowsa, Shetland.
S Vacant
TRIGGER FISH (Balistes capriscus)
B 6 4 14 2002 P Phillips, Tywyn Beach, Wales.
S 5 14 8 1995 K Lydiard, Lynmouth Rocks, Devon
TUNNY (Thunnus thynnus)
B 851 0 0 1933 L Mitchell-Henry, Whitby, Yorks
S Vacant
TUNNY (Big-eyed) (Thunnus obesus)
B Vacant
S 66 12 0 1985 A Pascoe, Newlyn Harbour, Cornwall
TUNNY (Long-finned) (Thunnus alalunga)
B 4 12 0 1990 B Cater, Salcombe Estuary, Devon
S Vacant
TURBOT (Scophthalmus maximus)
B 33 12 0 1980 R Simcox, Salcombe, Devon
S 28 8 0 1973 J Dorling, Dunwich Beach, E Suffolk
WHITING (Merlangius merlangus)
B 7 6 0 2012 Mark Curtis, Plymouth, Devon (pictured)
S 4 0 7 1984 T Dell, Abbotsbury, Dorset
WHITING, Blue (Micromesistius poutassou)
B 1 12 0 1977 J Anderson, Loch Fyne, Scotland
S Vacant
WITCH (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus)
B Vacant
S 1 2 13 0 1967 T Barathy, Colwyn Bay, Wales
WRASSE (Ballan) (Labrus bergylta)
B 9 7 12 1999 A Heart, Jersey, Channel Islands
S 9 1 0 1998 P Hegg, Portland, Dorset (pictured)
WRASSE (Cuckoo) (Labrus mixtus)
B 2 7 12 1998 K Marden,Dungeness, Kent
S 1 12 9 1999 Mark Hooper, Rosaire, Herm, CI
WRECKFISH (Polyprion americanus)
B 11 14 12 2001 Patrick Banks, Poole, Dorset
S Vacant
Sea Fish – Mini Species Records (all under 1 lb)
In either ounces and drams or grammes
ANCHOVY (Engraulis encrasicolus)
1 11 2003 Douglas Roots, Hastings, East Sussex.
ARGENTINE (Argentina sphyraena)
5 3 1978 I Miller, Loch Long, Scotland
BARRACUDINA (Paralepis coregonoides)
1 14 1987 D Gillon, Newton Shore, Ayr, Scotland
BLACKFISH, Cornish (Schedophilus medusophagus)
8 4 1983 R L Cooke, Cefn Sidan Beach, Wales
BLENNY, Butterfly (Blennius ocellaris)
1 2 1990 M Hegg, Portland Harbour, Dorset
BLENNY, Tompot (Parablennius gattorugine)
5 8 1989 M Webb, Mevagissey, Cornwall
BLENNY, Viviparous (Zoarces viviparus)
13 0 1982 H Harrison, Redcar shore, Yorkshire
BLENNY, Yarrell’s (Chirolophis ascanii)
3 1 1996 D Owen, Raven’s Point, Wales
BLUE RUNNER (Caranx crysos)
6 2 2001 Peter Godden, Walmer Beach, Kent
BOAR FISH (Capros aper)
3 0 1983 R Bennett, Rinsey, Cornwall
BREAM, Axillary (Pagellus acarne)
8 5 1995 J Breedijk, Guernsey wreck
BREAM, Saddled Sea (Oblada melanura)
15 4 2000 S Giles, St Austell Bay, Cornwall
BUTTERFISH (Pholis gunnellus)
1 2 1978 D McEntee, Gourock Pier, Scotland
1 2 1992 P Henson, Whitby Pier, N Yorkshire
CONNEMARA SUCKER (Lepadogaster candollei)
10 gr 2009 Jonathan Trevett, Weymouth Stone Pier
DAB, Long Rough (Hippoglossoides platessoides)
5 8 1975 I McGrath, Loch Long, Scotland
DRAGONET (Callionymus lyra)
6 6 1992 B Sokell, Berry Head Quarry, Devon
GARFISH, Short-beaked (Belone svetovidovi)
13 14 1990 C Cass, Mounts Bay, Cornwall
GOBY, Black (Gobius niger)
2 4 1980 F O’Brien, Inveraray Pier, Scotland
GOBY, Common (Pomatoschistus microps)
1 gr 2006 G Green, Blackwater & Chelmer Canal.
GOBY, Giant (Gobius cobitis)
9 4 1994 A Carre, Beaucette Marina, Guernsey
GOBY, Leopard-spotted (Thorogobius ephippiatus)
1 6 1995 R Jones, Llanbadrig, Wales
GOBY, Sand (Ctenolabrus rupestris)
3 gr 2005 G Miller, Herne Bay Beach, Kent.
GOBY, Rock (Gobius paganellus)
1 4 1993 T Brown, Caernarfon, N Wales
PILCHARD (Sardina pilchardus)
8 0 1987 N Berry, Plymouth, Devon
PILOT FISH (Naucrates ductor)
10 8 1997 J Richards, Towy Estuary, Wales
PIPEFISH, Greater (Syngnathus acus)
4 0 1981 T Sherwood, Fareham Creek, Hants
PIPEFISH, Snake (Entelurus aequoreus)
1 0 1987 T Evans, Menai Straits, Anglesey
POGGE (Agonus cataphractus)
1 10 1985 J Meakin, Pointlynas, Anglesey
POOR COD (Trisopterus minutus)
13 0 2003 Adam Slack, Berry Head, Torquay.
RED BAND-FISH (Cepola rubescens)
7 0 2001 G Tipling, Inverkip, Scotland
ROCKLING, Five bearded (Ciliata mustela)
16 0 1995 A Boswell, Aberystwyth, Wales
ROCKLING, Four bearded (Enchelyopus cimbrius)
1 7 1981 S Hodgson, Cloch Point, Scotland
SANDEEL, Corbin’s (Hyperoplus immaculatus)
4 9 1978 S Carter, Jersey
SANDEEL, Greater (Hyperoplus lanceolatus)
8 7 1979 B Le Breton, Amfroque, Herm
SEA SCORPIAN, Long spinned (Taurulus bubalis)
10 0 1992 G Lockwood, Ferry Bridge, Dorset
SHANNY (Lipophrys pholis)
3 15 1995 M Carter, Poldhu Cove, Cornwall
SKIPPER (Scomberesox saurus)
5 4 1994 A Woods, Seaham Chemical Beach, Durham
SMELT (Osmerus eperlanus)
6 12 1981 G Idiens, Fleetwood, Lancashire
SMELT, Sand (Atherina presbyter)
2 9 1975 A Laws, New Jetty, Guernsey
SMELT, Sand – Big Scale (Atherina boyeri)
0 5 1980 N Dorling, The Leys, Wales
STICKLEBACK, Sea 15 spined (Spinachia spinachia)
0 5.6 1997 V Hendrie, Newton Shore, Scotland
TOPNOT, Common (Zeugopterus)
13 8 1998 R Thomson, Grande Rocques, Guernsey
WEEVER, Lesser (Echiichthys vipera)
3 6 2001 D Thompson, Shambles Bank, Dorset
WRASSE, Baillon’s (Crenilabrus bailloni)
230 gr 2011 Michael Hansell, Lymm Bay
WRASSE, Corkwing (Crenilabrus melops)
12 11 2005 Toni Pay, Portland, Dorset.
WRASSE, Goldsinney (Ctenolabrus rupestris)
110 gr 2010 Trad Casey, Weymouth, Dorset.
WRASSE, Rock Cook (Centrolabrus exoletus)
3 13 1 2001 Andrew Drysdale, Newquay, Cornwall
WRASSE, Scale-rayed (Acantholabrus palloni)
14 12 1992 J Vaughan, Eddystone Reef, Devon
Related posts:
BRITISH RECORD COARSE FISH LIST
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