Broads record pike captor John Goble, who winched out a marvellous monster of 45lb 8oz from his favourite Thurne Valley venue at the end of last season, has no intention of resting on his laurels, writes Roy Webster.

Broads record pike captor John Goble, who winched out a marvellous monster of 45lb 8oz from his favourite Thurne Valley venue at the end of last season, has no intention of resting on his laurels, writes Roy Webster.

For next season he will be out again on his favourite water searching for an even bigger specimen he believes can relegate the present UK record standing at 46lb 13oz into second place.

In the meantime, the 63-year-old Caister on Sea rodman is set to target local catfish populations, and the venue at the top of his checklist is Waveney Valley Lakes where huge cats over 50lbs lurk in the murky waters.

“I may do a bit of lure fishing on the Broads in the summer months and perhaps go for a decent catch of bream. I shall start my pike fishing campaign next autumn because I know there is a fish out there that can take the record.

“I am keen to bag my first 40lb catfish and Waveney Valley seems promising,” he added.

The fishery bailiff there Andrew Goldsmith said he would be delighted to welcome Norfolk's latest pike fishing hero. “We shall put him on the right swims that will give him every chance of a 40-pounder, but right now our big cats need several warm nights before they start feeding in earnest,” he said.

For the past fortnight Caister's new angling celebrity has been receiving messages of congratulations from far and wide, and Gorleston tackle dealer Derrick Amies, who bagged the previous best broads pike at 42lb 2oz (then a UK record) in 1986 was one of them.

Most importantly, this amiable angler has given the tourist industry and beleaguered tackle shops suffering from the recession a tremendous boost, certainly as effective as any high- powered advertising campaign.

With rivers and broads now closed until June 16 anglers are turning to the exempt commercial and club lakes for their sport.

At the Burgh Castle fishery Hemsby's Paul Rose reined in a 26lb 8oz common carp while Adam Cooper of Acle bagged a 21lb 4oz common from the Lenwade Pines.

On the match scene the Norfolk Division of the National Sea League produced a final round codfest at Bacton where the winner Tony Thomas (Norfolk Lads) won with 15lb 4oz while Yarmouth based East Anglian Baits retained their title. - Individuals: T Thomas (Norfolk Lads) 15lb 4oz, K Morley (EAB) 9lb 1oz, C Leggatt (EAB) 8lb 12oz. Teams on day: EAB 6 penalty points, Trev's 9, Norfolk Lads 11. Qualifiers for the final at Eastbourne in November are EA Baits 39, Norfolk Lads 63, TCX 73, Trev's 80.

On the freshwater match scene Tony Anderson (Browning Pownalls) won at Cross Drove with 52lbs, and Jolly Boys' Ray Kent headed the Mill Farm card with 27lb 12oz.