OUR forebears lived in fear of monsters from the deep, but one Halwill angler positively goes out in search of them, writes Alan Gregory.
Zyg Gregorek headed out into the Indian Ocean earlier this month for the annual world marlin championship.
He managed to land a monster 388lb marlin — that's almost 28 stones or 176kg — off the coast of Mauritius.
The fish was big enough to win Zyg the Marlin World Cup for the second time in three years.
'It was the first time in the history of the competition the defending world champion has retained his crown,' said a modest Zyg.
The marlin, caught on fishing line with a 50lb breaking strain, also won the team event for Angler's Paradise — Zyg plus daughters Anna and Zenia — who all won gold medals for the second time.
The event was fished over five days with the team leading from day one.
It was also the biggest event yet with more than 100 competitors from 18 countries fishing in 40 boats.
Many fish were caught during the competition.
Those weighing less than 200lbs count for championship points and are then released.
Fish greater than 200lbs still only count for the same number of points if released, so they are brought in.
But Zyg explained that Mauritius was a poor country, its economy depending on the fish, and none of the marlin caught were wasted.
Non-competition fish Zyg has caught have been tagged and released.
'As far as fishing is concerned, if the fish is for the table, then no problem, if not photograph it and release it, that's my philosophy — sustainable fishing,' he said.
Anyone interested in seeing more of the competition should look out for Tightlines on Sky Sport 2 tonight, Thursday, at 7pm or New Year's Eve and New Year's day.