Jake, whose biggest catch before the catfish was a carp weighing 21lbs, said: 'At one time I didn't think I would be able to pull it in because my hands were aching. I felt a bit tired afterwards.'

Mr North had taken Jake and his other son Kieran, 15, to the River Ebro near Mequinenza, Spain, during half-term.

Their stout rods were baited with golf-ball sized halibut pellets and line and weights were taken around 100 metres out into the river before being dropped from a boat.

Then a rattle alarm on Jake's rod signalled that the monster catfish had taken the bait.

Mr North, of Hemel Hempstead, Hert, added: 'The guide had to put his arms around Jake's waist in case he was pulled in but it all went very well,'

During the holiday, Mr North also netted a 205 lbs albino catfish and son Kieran a 189 lbs catfish