A remarkable catch off the Northern Californian coast has sent ripples through the angling community, with a single fish poised to potentially rewrite the record books.
A Potential Record-Breaking Haul
Fisherman Brendan Walsh, hailing from Mendocino County, made an extraordinary catch on a Tuesday, landing a canary rockfish of impressive proportions. The specimen, reeled in near the coastal community of Albion, situated north of San Francisco, tipped the scales at a substantial 10.25 pounds (4.65 kilograms).
This weight is significant because it surpasses two existing benchmarks. The current California state record for the species stands at 9 pounds. More notably, the all-tackle world record for canary rockfish, a formidable 10-pound mark set back in 1986, has remained unchallenged for nearly four decades. Walsh's 10.25-pound catch has the clear potential to break both records.
The Path to Official Recognition
For the catch to be formally recognised, strict verification procedures must be followed. Walsh has proactively submitted the required documentation and evidence of his catch to the relevant authorities for official validation.
The two bodies responsible for certifying the records are:
- The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which will verify the state record.
- The International Game Fish Association (IGFA), the global authority that will assess the claim for a new world record.
This process ensures all measurements and catch details meet the stringent criteria set by these organisations.
From Record Contender to Dinner Plate
In a twist that underscores the practical side of fishing, the record-contending fish did not end up mounted on a wall. After all necessary photographs, measurements, and paperwork were meticulously completed to support the record claims, the fish was prepared for a more traditional fate.
It was cooked and eaten. Reports confirm the historic catch was fried with garlic and butter, providing a memorable meal for the successful angler and his companions.
The angling world now awaits the official verdict from the record-keeping bodies. If confirmed, Brendan Walsh's Tuesday catch off Albion will secure a permanent place in fishing history, dethroning a world record that has stood since the mid-1980s.
