John De La Mare with the gilthead bream which looks set to become a new Guernsey boat-caught record.

A GILTHEAD bream weighing 5lb 2oz 14dr looks set to become the new Guernsey boat-caught record for the species following its capture last week by John De La Mare.

The Cobo-based plumber tempted the specimen on a razorfish hookbait ledgered on a mark just off the northwest coast of Herm which he discovered during a fishing trip with friend Paul Clark this time last year.

‘Paul and I caught gilthead on the exact same state of tide 12 months ago, so as soon as I saw the conditions were right, I returned to the spot with the intention of having a crack at the record,’ said John.

‘I caught a few small black bream before I hooked into what I immediately knew was a much better fish, either a bass or a gilthead. I must have played it for at least 10 minutes, during which time I did at least three circuits around my boat hoping the entire time that I could keep my line away from the anchor rope,’ he added.

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