‘I almost didn’t go on the trip because I had so much work on but the rest of the guys talked me into it – thank god they did,’ he said. ‘None of us could believe our eyes when we got it on the boat and saw it’s size. It was an amazing experience and a once in a lifetime catch.’ The cod was caught 32km (20 miles) off Pevensey Bay in East Sussex last week. The previous record for the Channel was 15.9kg (35lb) in 2000. Mr Proctor, from Stoke Gabriel, Devon, has feasted his catch since.‘I’ve had pan fried cod, cod in batter, a beautiful fish stew and a fish pie. I can’t tell you how much freezer space it has taken up,’ he added.