The Wels catfish, genuinely remarkable, surpasses even the giant blue catfish in size and holds Europe’s title as the largest freshwater fish. Its impressive lifespan spans decades, featuring continuous growth throughout its life. The River Po, a globally renowned hotspot among a select few rivers, provides an exceptionally vivid display of this phenomenon.

The Wels catfish, a species that inspires an almost cult-like devotion among anglers, actively cultivates a dynamic community of fishing enthusiasts. Since 2017, five notable victories have punctuated the record for length. This year’s first half alone witnessed two such occurrences, clear evidence of continuing competition and fervent dedication amongst these skilled anglers. Delve into the enthralling narratives: they recount the capture of ten of the giant Wels catfish, a task executed with nothing more than a fishing line and reel.

Alessandro Biancardi Biggest Wels Catfish In The World

In May, Alessandro Biancardi seized the imminent 9.35-foot IGFA world record Wels. He set this accomplishment in motion during a fishing expedition on River Po in Lombardy, northern Italy’s heart region. After numerous successful casts at his initial spot for that day, Biancardi narrated an extraordinary encounter with one specific fish. There it was where he managed to hook and engage in a fierce battle, an eventful struggle lasting precisely forty minutes. This ultimately concluded when its massive form relinquished control over him within shallow waters by drawing his small jon boat towards shore.

The epic confrontation between Biancardi, a seasoned Welsh angler, and nature’s titan nearly resulted in him losing his vessel. However, to mitigate stress on the fish, he made an informed decision not to weigh his catch. An active contribution towards IGFA’s recently established catch-and-release length record: he submitted the measurements.

Stefan Seub and Christian Ritzinger: River Monster

Just a month before Biancardi made his remarkable catch in the same River Po, Stefan Seub and Christian Ritzinger had their extraordinary encounter. These two dedicated German anglers pursued relentlessly for twenty-five years until they finally reeled in their River Po trophy: a colossal 9-footer with an estimated weight of approximately 140 kilograms, equivalent to about 308 pounds and measuring at a length of precisely 281 centimeters or 9.22 feet.

Their catch briefly seized the title of the longest recorded wels ever, narrowly outstripping its closest counterpart by one centimeter; it measured an impressive length of 280 centimeters. “The ‘absolute dream of both of us’ is to capture this fish,” Seub said. The River Po, in fact, harbors stories, tales of epic quests and the realization of angling dreams.

Roland Ebner: River Po

Reports maintain the mystery surrounding the identity of the angler who, on March 21, 2021, astonishingly pulled a 9.19-footer out of the River Po; they preferred to remain anonymous. However, Austrian fishing guide Roland Ebner illuminated this intriguing story. Engaged in his fishing expedition on the Po, Ebner received an urgent call for assistance from a friend grappling with an immense wels, thus adding drama and urgency to our narrative.

Ebner rushed to the scene and found his fellow angler engaged in a fierce battle with the aquatic giant. They, as La Peche – a French fishing magazine, reports it, concluded this struggle successfully; they estimated that catfish initially measured around 250 centimeters, but astonishingly, the final measurements marked it as the longest wels on record at that time when revealed to be 280 centimeters. With each passing expedition, tales of colossal catches unfold on the stage that is The River Po; it remains a habitat for these extraordinary fish.

Ronny Zurcher: Monsters Of The River Po

In October 2017, angler Ronny Zurcher caught the first European catfish to break 9 feet in the River Po. The catch remains shrouded in mystery, with only its length known as precisely measured at 9.02 feet. Despite never undergoing official certification, this fish held a prestigious status for three years; it stood the benchmark for Wels fanatics across continents to surpass.

Jean-Christophe Conejero: The Tarn River Giant

On September 16, 2017, Jean-Christophe Conejero demonstrated that the Tarn River. In southern France produces river monsters rivaling those of Po’s fame. Much like orcas hunting seals in the surf, its wels catfish, renowned for their size and aggression, has been observed by researchers hurling themselves onto gravel banks after startled pigeons. It was with a Zeck Belly Stick, a specially-designed 165-centimeter rod for belly boat fishing, he used from his float tube to catch an impressive specimen: an 8.99-foot-long Wels Catfish!

Sebastien Delabre: Channel Monster Catfish

Sebastien Delabre captured this massive wels near Vauvert on the Petit Rhone, a shallower side channel of the main Rhone, in October 2015. The catfish dominated France’s waters and held global supremacy for almost two years.

Thibault Legendre: Personal Wels Catfish Record

On November 2, 2022, Thibault Legendre impressively caught a Welsh catfish. From a float tube and set his best record at 272 centimeters. His frequent captures of 8-footers in the Maine River near Anger, France. Hint that this location could become an unexpected hotspot for anglers seeking to land new world records in future years.

Benjamin Grunder: Mysterious River Po

Benjamin Grunder, the fishing guide, positioned angler Markus Brock to confront an 8.79-foot River Po behemoth. He had spotted this colossal wels on his fish finder almost two dozen times throughout the year. Once – even Benjamin himself hooked it, but unfortunately lost grip as its resistance caused the hook to dislodge during their intense struggle.

In January of 2018, Brock engaged in an epic battle with the beastly fish, though not being able to halt. Its course towards destiny. A submerged tree, 25 minutes into their thrilling contest. Thereby tangling up both him and his adversary within one another’s fate-filled webs of fate.

Dino Ferrari: Wels Catfish Monster

In February 2015, Dino Ferrari hailed his capture of an 8.76-foot or 267-centimeter wels catfish from the River Po. As a world record; this feat surpassed his previous achievement, a hefty 255-centimeter specimen reeled in two years earlier. Known for pursuing European catfish passionately, Ferrari managed to weigh this gargantuan fish before releasing it. It tipped scales at precisely 280 pounds.

Ditch Ballard: Ebro River Catfish

In January, Ditch Ballard hooked a 222-pound Wels catfish on Spain’s Ebro River. It was an impressive catch, yet 28 pounds lighter than the river record. Despite its size, this beastly creature provided Ballard with all he could handle. It was no easy feat for him to maintain his grip on his 16-foot aluminum boat, shivering uncontrollably in freezing temperatures while the catfish dragged him downstream toward one of Spain’s best Wels destinations: The Ebro.

We measure the fish over 8 feet long; it is a formidable opponent! Ditch, targeting carp with halibut pellets and using sweet corn as bait and maize, referred to this pursuit as “the pinnacle conflict” in his fishing journey.

The mighty catfish and the elusive Wels catfish of European rivers. These whiskered wonders can transform a routine fishing day into an epic adventure. The allure transcends mere catch: it encompasses the chase, encapsulates the mystery lurking beneath water’s surface. Weaves compelling narratives around that one which eluded capture.

In American rivers, one may battle the behemoth blues; in the meandering waters of Europe, a territory for outsmarting wels: catfish. Each embodying its own unique charm and presenting an unknown to pursue.

Daniel

Daniel possesses a profound proficiency in the art of angling that sets him apart as a true professional in the world of fishing. With years of dedicated experience, Daniel has honed his skills to a level of mastery that few can match.A true expert in the craft, Daniel excels in the subtle nuances of angling, such as reading the water, understanding the behavior of different species, and adapting to changing environmental factors. His ability to anticipate and adapt to the ever-shifting dynamics of the water ensures a high success rate on each excursion.