York anglers Geoff Crawford and Carl Loseby landed these 90lb-plus catfish while fishing in France.

Taxi driver Crawford, 54, from Broadway, and his 34-year-old pal Loseby reeled in these giant fish at a lake near Troyes in the Champagne region.

Although the water has a reputation of being home to some big carp they are keeping its whereabouts a secret.

Copmanthorpe-based Loseby, a greenkeeper at Fulford Golf Club, did land a 41lb carp and his fishing partner Crawford landed a 32lb specimen. But they were mere tiddlers compared to the catfish.

Crawford said: "Carl hooked a catfish which towed us around in an inflatable dinghy in thick fog for 50 minutes but eventually the hook pulled leaving us half a mile from our swim. My fish (93lb) towed us around for 30 minutes before we got it in the net."

The following night Loseby hooked his 90lb catfish. It took an hour and 40 minutes to eventually capture his six-foot, six-inches long prize.

Crawford added: "We did not know there were any catfish in there so it was a shock to the system. Luckily I had some big hooks on me and a set of 110lb scales. Next time we will be prepared."

Both York rodmen used 20lb line with fishmeal boilies as bait with size one hooks to 4oz lead and were fishing 100 yards out to a depth of 20ft when the mighty catfish bit.

Updated: 11:16 Wednesday, September 28, 2005