A New Record Fish Caught by Ohio Teen?

A 15-year-old from New Richmond, Ohio, might have shattered the state record for the largest blue catfish ever caught, reeling in a gargantuan specimen that tipped the scales at over 101 pounds. Jaylynn Parker, a sophomore at New Richmond High School, made the impressive catch using the jug fishing method in a creek off the Ohio River.

“He was bigger than we ever imagined,” Parker told Fox News Digital, reflecting on the surprising size of the catfish caught on Sunday, April 7.

Jug fishing, a technique where lines are dangled from floating jugs, is a traditional method in both lakes and rivers. These lines, equipped with hooks and sometimes weights, are set at dusk and typically checked the following morning. For Parker and her family, the routine check on Sunday afternoon unveiled a record-setting catch.

Describing the moment, Parker shared how initially they found smaller fish, which were promptly released back into the water. However, as they checked the next jug, they encountered a much larger and more formidable opponent. “I started pulling on him and I noticed that he was pulling back pretty hard,” Parker recounted. The struggle intensified as the fish, entangled in debris, fiercely yanked the jug from her hands.

“It was just crazy,” Parker described the exhilarating battle with the fish. Amid the chaos, the fish nearly overturned their boat, prompting a tense and careful effort to secure it with a net.

The catch was so large that the fish could not be lifted into the boat and had to be pulled onto a dock with the aid of Parker’s family and friends. They quickly realized the potential record they had on their hands and contacted the Ohio Division of Wildlife for an official weigh-in, as nothing suitable was available on a Sunday.

Logan Oates, a communications coordinator for the Ohio Division of Wildlife, verified the details of the catch. “District 5 LE staff were contacted [on] Sunday, April 7, by an angler reporting a catch of a potential record-breaking blue catfish,” he said. The fish, weighing 101.11 pounds, was later confirmed, pending recognition by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio’s State Record Fish Committee.

The current state record, as per Oates, was a 96-pound blue catfish caught by Chris Rolph in 2009 in the Ohio River. This makes Parker’s catch a significant feat, possibly setting a new benchmark.

After the official procedures, Parker was keen to return the blue catfish to its natural habitat, emphasizing the importance of releasing it healthy back into the river. “Oh, it made me so happy to see him swim away knowing that we took very good care of him and that we released him very, very healthy,” she said.

While the catch awaits official certification, it has sparked a debate about the legitimacy of jug fishing as a method for record catches. However, Kristen Parker, Jaylynn’s mother, highlighted that regardless of opinions, the state of Ohio recognizes jug fishing as a valid technique.

Jaylynn, an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking and hunting with her family, remains unfazed by the controversy, proud of her achievement and her connection to nature.