A 15-year-old girl from New Richmond may have broken an Ohio state record on Sunday, April 7, for the largest blue catfish, with the monster weighing in at a whopping 101.11 pounds. This record-breaking catch was made by Jaylynn Parker, a sophomore at New Richmond High School, who was out jug fishing with her family on the creek off the Ohio River. Jug fishing is a method that uses lines suspended from floating jugs to catch fish in lakes or rivers. The previous day, Parker and her family had set out jug lines in the evening, and the next day, they went out to check the lines. After catching a few smaller fish, they finally hooked the massive blue catfish.
The battle to reel in the giant catfish was intense, with the fish pulling hard and fighting against them. After a struggle, Parker and her family friend were eventually able to net the fish and bring it to shore. However, they had difficulty weighing the fish due to the lack of an auditor’s scale. After contacting the Ohio Division of Wildlife, they were able to find a location to weigh the fish and confirm its record-breaking weight. The current state record for a blue catfish in Ohio is 96 pounds, with the world record standing at 143 pounds. The official certification for Parker’s catch is pending and awaiting confirmation by the State Record Fish Committee.
After the successful weigh-in, Parker was eager to release the fish back into the river, ensuring that it was healthy and in good condition to return to its natural habitat. Despite some controversy regarding the method of catching the fish, as it was caught using jug lines rather than a rod and reel, the catch was considered legal according to Ohio state regulations. Parker’s mother explained that the state categorizes all methods of fishing under an ‘all tackle’ category, indicating that all fishing methods are considered equivalent in the eyes of the law. While some anglers may disagree with this categorization, Parker and her family followed the legal guidelines for the catch.
Jaylynn Parker’s love for the outdoors and fishing is evident, as she grew up around fishing due to her parents’ influence. She enjoys various outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting, and cave exploring, showcasing her passion for nature and adventure. Despite facing some negativity and backlash from fellow fishermen due to the method of catching the fish, Parker remains unfazed and continues to pursue her love for fishing. For her, fishing is not just about the catch, but also about the experience of being outside, enjoying nature, and the excitement of never knowing what she might catch. Overall, Parker’s record-breaking catch highlights her dedication to fishing and her appreciation for the outdoors.
