Monster catfish hooked in Spain

MADRID, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- An English school caretaker nearly drowned as he set a record for hooking the largest catfish in Europe, a 226 pound monster christened "Jaws" in Spain.

It took two friends to keep Carl Smith of Owestry from being dragged into the River Ebro in Spain after fighting the giant fish for 35 minutes, The Times of London reports.

"The force of the tug practically sent me crashing to the ground," Smith said. "It's mouth, with rows of sharp teeth, made it look like a man-eating shark."

European wels catfish are reputed to eat anything that can fit into their huge mouths.

The catfish was released after being weighed, measured and photographed with Smith holding his tail.

Common in Spain, Italy and Greece, the catfish generally weigh between 80 and 100 pounds.

The previous European record was 224 lbs.