Last updated 11:35, Wednesday, 30 April 2008

TARNSIDE charity match organiser Alan Rimmer reeled in a 760lb marlin in Gran Canaria.

The fish – this year’s biggest catch – was landed on an 80lb class outfit.

On the trip were Tarnside Sea Angling Club members Aka Rowlandson and son Liam, Ian Lowry and son Paul, Barry Goodfellow and Alan's wife Heather.

They had been out in the boat for five hours without a sign of a fish when the big one struck a lure on Heather’s rod.

When she saw the speed the fish was moving and how much line it had taken on she decided to let husband Alan take the rod for a 51-minute battle. Heather also caught a marlin weighing 550lb during the trip and the Tarnside party had three days in pursuit of monster rays.

Aka landed stingray to 320lb Alan had stingray to 250 and eagle rays to 200lb Ian landed rays to 150lb and Liam landed three rays between 60 and 70lb. Anyone wanting to try fishing off Gran Canaria has a chance to win a fantastic holiday as a prize in this year's big Charity Tarnside Open match.

For the anglers the two-day Open event takes place over October 27-28, with fishing between Nethertown Concrete and Sellafield Pipe. Anglers can register at 112 Tarnside from 7.30am with fishing from 10.30am to 2.30pm, with the weigh in back at 112 Tarnside from 2.45pm. For further information about the match contact Alan on 01946 841917.