SOUTHAMPTON's Paul Steed is the talk of the local scene after landing one of the biggest freshwater eels of all times at Broadlands Lake. The fish was first recorded in 1988 by Salisbury pike angler Dale Boyer at 8lb 3oz when it was taken on a float fished trout live bait from the Bottom Bay.
Almost a decade on, the fish was reported at 9lb 1oz to a carp angler who took it at night on boilies.
But the fish chewed its way out of a carp sack before being verified and now it has reappeared at a staggering 10lb, making it one of the biggest eels recorded in the country.
Steed caught the huge eel on two ledgered sprats during a night session.
The British record is just over 11lb and it's possible the Broadlands eel may go on to challenge that mark.
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